TOP 10 of the largest exhibition centers in Europe

There are nearly 1,200 exhibition centers around the world, which host nearly 31,000 trade and consumer shows each year. The European continent has the largest exhibition capacity in the world with 499 exhibition centers for 15.7 million sq.m of exhibition space. Europe is also home to 3 of the largest trade fair countries in the world: Germany, Italy and France.

In this context, we invite you to discover the TOP 10 of the largest exhibition centers in Europe. (UFI 2018 figures)

1. Deutsche Messe
2. Messe Frankfurt
3. Fiera Milano
4. Koelnmesse
5. Messe Düsseldorf
6. Paris Nord Villepinte
7. Crocus Expo
8. Feria Valencia
9. Gran Via
10. Paris Expo Porte de Versailles

1. Deutsche Messe (Hanovre, Germany, 463 275 sq.m)

Deutsche Messe annually hosts 113 trade fairs, 2 million visitors and 37,000 exhibitors over 3.5 million sq.m of cumulative exhibition space. Today it is the largest exhibition center in the world with 24 halls and pavilions covering 392,453 sq.m of interior surface and 58,000 sq.m of exterior surface. The Mass organizes several world-leading trade fairs in their sector such as AGRITECHNICA (world leading trade fair for agricultural machinery), INTERSCHUTZ (leading trade fair for emergency and fire, civil protection, safety and security), DOMOTEX (world trade fair for floor coverings), HANNOVER MESSE (world trade fair for industrial technologies), EuroBLECH (world trade fair for the sheet metal working industry) and LIGNA (world trade fair for the wood industry).

2. Messe Frankfurt (Frankfurt, Germany, 366 637 sq.m)

The Frankfurt Trade Fair is managed by Messe Frankfurt, the world's largest trade fair organizer with its own exhibition center. The park hosts nearly 150 trade fairs and 270 congresses and conferences every year. Organized around 11 halls and pavilions, the park offers nearly 400,000 sq.m of exhibition space, of which 60,000 sq.m is outdoors. It is the 3rd largest exhibition center in the world. Among the world's leading trade fairs organized in Frankfurt are Ambiente (the world's leading trade fair for consumer goods), ISH (leading trade fair for responsible water and energy management in buildings), Light + Building (leading trade fair for water and energy in buildings). lighting technologies and building services), IMEX (the world's leading trade fair for business events).

3. Fiera Milano (Milan, Italy, 345 000 sq.m)

Fiera Milano hosts 120 trade fairs, 160 congresses, 4.5 million visitors and 36,000 exhibitors every year. It is the largest exhibition center in Italy and the 4th largest exhibition center in the world. Fiera Milano is organized around 20 halls and pavilions offering 399,000 sq.m of exhibition space, of which 60,000 sq.m is outdoors. Some examples of world leading trade fairs organized at Fiera Milano: EICMA (Milan motorcycle show), MCE - Mostra Convegno Expocomfort (world energy efficiency trade fair), HOMI (lifestyle trade fair), Salone del Mobile (international trade fair for design and furnishings).

4. Koelnmesse (Cologne, Germany, 284 000 sq.m)

The Cologne exhibition center annually hosts nearly 80 events, 2,000 conferences, 3.2 million visitors and 55,000 exhibitors. It is the 3rd largest fairground in Germany and the 7th largest in the world. The park has 11 exhibition halls with 284,000 sq.m of interior surface area and 100,000 sq.m of exterior surface area. As with the majority of “messe” in Germany, the company in charge of the management of the park and also organizer of exhibitions around the world. The main international fairs organized in Koelnmesse are Anuga (world food and drink fair), imm cologne (world furniture and interior design fair), INTERMOT (international motorcycle fair), IDS - Internationale Dental-Schau (international trade fair for the dental industry).

5. Messe Düsseldorf (Düsseldorf, Germany, 261 817 sq.m)

The Düsseldorf exhibition grounds annually host an average of 50 trade fairs for 1.1 million visitors and 27,000 exhibitors. Organized around 18 exhibition halls, the park offers 262,000 sq.m of interior space and 43,000 sq.m of exterior space. Also organizer of trade fairs, the Messe has branches in Moscow, Hong Kong, New Delhi and Tokyo. 22 leading international trade fairs are organized in Düsseldorf, including boot Düsseldorf (international boat show), EuroShop (international retail trade fair), ProWein (international wine and spirits trade fair), MEDICA (international medical technology trade fair) and interpack (the international trade fair) of the packaging).

6. Paris Nord Villepinte (Paris, France, 246 312 sq.m)

Organized around 9 exhibition halls, Paris Nord Villepinte is managed by the VIPARIS company. VIPARIS manages the majority of the Ile-de-France exhibition centers, including Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, the Palais des Congrès in Paris and Paris le Bourget. Paris Nord Villepinte is the largest exhibition center in France and the 9th largest in the world. The space hosts several leading international trade fairs including INTERMAT (international construction and infrastructure trade fair), SIAL Paris (international food trade fair), Maison & Objet (international trade fair for the home, decoration, architecture, design and trends), Batimat (international trade fair for construction, building and architecture).

7. Crocus Expo (Moscou, Russia, 226 399 sq.m)

Crocus Expo is managed by Crocus Group, a leading company in Russia in the management and development of real estate assets. The eleventh largest exhibition center in the world, Crocus expo is organized around 19 halls and pavilions which annually host nearly 350 events and 10 million visitors. You can consult the complete agenda of trade fairs and conferences taking place at Crocus Expo by clicking here.

8. Feria Valencia (Valence, Spain, 223 090 sq.m)

Feria Valencia is the largest exhibition center in Spain and the twelfth largest in the world. In 2018, Feria Valencia hosted 34 fairs and exhibitions for 3,600 exhibitors and 600,000 visitors from 160 countries. The Valence exhibition center is organized around 19 halls and offers 48 meeting rooms and 3 auditoriums. The main international exhibitions taking place there are FIMMA (international exhibition of materials, technologies and components for the furniture industry), Cevisama (international exhibition of ceramics and bathroom furnishings), Maderalia (international exhibition of the wood industry), Eurobrico (the international DIY fair).

9. Gran Via (Barcelona, Spain, 203 106 sq.m)

The Gran Via exhibition center is managed by Fira de Barcelona, ​​one of the largest trade fair organizers in Europe. Gran Via is organized around 8 exhibition halls characterized by their design, functionality and eco-responsible commitment (26,000 solar panels installed on the roofs of the halls). The main international trade fairs organized at Gran Via are the Mobile World Congress, in-cosmetics global in 2020, Alimentaria (international trade fair for the food sector), Eurosurfas (international trade fair for surface treatment) or IBTM World (international trade fair for the events sector).

10. Paris Expo Porte de Versailles (Paris, France, 202 036 sq.m)

Paris Expo Porte de Versailles is the 2nd largest exhibition center in France and the 14th in the world. The park is managed by the company VIPARIS, also in charge of Paris Nord Villepinte. The infrastructure hosts nearly 200 events and more than 7.5 million visitors every year in its 7 pavilions. The international shows taking place at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles are Viva Technology (a global meeting dedicated to technological innovation and startups), the International Agricultural Show, the Paris International Boat Show, Paris Games Week or even Equip'Hotel (international hotel and catering trade fair).