The countdown to Brand Licensing Europe (BLE) 2026, sponsored by LicensingInternational, is officially on, with one week to go until Europe’s licensing community comes together at Excel London from Tuesday 6 – Thursday 8 October.
This year’s show will officially be the biggest BLE yet, with a 12% increase in exhibitor numbers to 325 companies, while the show floor has expanded by 5 per cent. Among them are 90 companies new to the show this year, bringing new brands, fresh perspectives and even more opportunities for visitors to discover.
Visitors are encouraged to register and start using the online Event Planner to research brands and exhibitors, request meetings and build their schedules. The earlier visitors start planning, the better chance they have of securing the meetings they want before calendars fill up.
26 things visitors won’t want to miss at BLE 2026:
- Come together for The Beatles – Tuesday 6 October, 2:00 pm (License Global Main Stage) Apple Corps Ltd and Universal Music Group will share exclusive insights into the future of The Beatles’ licensing, retail and fan experiences.
- Carrefour, Jazwares and Sun City talk European retail – Tuesday 6 October, 11:30 am (License Global Main Stage) Kicking off the first keynote session this will take visitors behind the scenes of the trio’s Pokémon collaboration.
- See who’s joining BLE from the world of retail and be sure to book meetings ahead through the Event Planner. Join the impressive roster of retailers attending this year, including Lidl, asos, Dr Martens, Decathlon, H&M, Inditex, Carrefour, Mad Beauty, Clementoni, Tesco,mPrimark, John Lewis, Lefties, Zara, Ty, tonies, C&A, Pandora and Clementoni, with many more coming along to discover new brands, products and potential partners.
- Step into the world of Minecraft – Tuesday 6 October, 3:00 pm (License Global Main Stage) Find out how to take a globally recognised digital world and turn it into a successful physical experience.
- Discover ‘The Bluey Effect’ – Wednesday 7 October, 11:30 am (License Global Main Stage) Hear how authentic storytelling and audience connection have helped Bluey grow into a global, multiplatform franchise and how BBC Studios is thinking about the next generation of entertainment IP.
- Warner Bros. Discovery unlocks 25 years of Harry Potter – Wednesday 7 October, 1:45 pm (License Global Main Stage) Don’t miss this headline keynote revealing how Harry Potter has maintained cultural relevance and commercial success 25 years after the first movie, with insights into extending the longevity of IP across global markets.
- The biggest BLE yet: BLE 2026 will welcome over 300 exhibitors spanning character and entertainment, brands and lifestyle, sport, publishing, food and beverage, fashion, heritage, art and culture. Major names including Hasbro, Mattel, Netflix, Paramount Skydance Corporation, Warner Bros. Discovery, The LEGO Group, Pokémon, Sanrio and the Natural History Museum will be joined by a host of new faces this year. Expect thousands of brands to discover, potential partners to meet and plenty of reasons to leave some space in the calendar for exploring. View the exhibitor list and brand directory to see the full range of IP.
- 90 new exhibitors for 2026 Newcomers are a huge part of BLE this year. They include The National Gallery, National Trust for Scotland, Ashmolean Museum, Tate Enterprises, ATP Tour, Del Monte Europe, Hammer Film Holdings, Thunderbird Entertainment, Universal Music Group UK, Pony Canyon, CyberAgent, TBS Holdings, Killstar and the Royal Spanish Football Federation. This year’s newcomers underline BLE’s international reach with 17 from Asia, 6 from Italy, 5 from Spain, 4 from Belgium and 3 from Netherlands and the UAE.
- BLE Press Briefing – Tuesday 6 October, 10:30am, (License Global Main Stage) Don’t miss the exclusive launch of: Licensing International 2026; Global Licensing Industry Study European region-specific market values and performance data; License Global’s State of the Nation findings for European territories with key category performance and trend updates.
- Raise a glass at the Show Floor Drinks – Tuesday 6 October, 5:00-7:00 pm (Scooby Doo Scooby Snacks – Stand C141 and The Chandelier Bar – C270) The first day of BLE doesn’t have to finish when the meetings do. Head to the show floor bars for the BLE 2026 networking celebration and catch up with colleagues, new contacts and friends from across the industry.
- The BLE Character Parades – Tuesday 6 and Wednesday 7 October at 11:00 am. Catch some of licensing’s best-loved characters as they make their way through the show floor, with plenty of opportunities for photos and selfies along the route. Share your snaps using #BLE2026.
- State of the Nation: The Brand Licensing Forecast – Wednesday 7 October 10:30 am (License Global Main Stage) Step into the future of brand licensing as License Global Editor Ian Hart reveals the trends, opportunities and game-changing insights shaping the business of brand licensing into 2027 and beyond.
- Pull up a chair for Topic Table Talks – Wednesday 7 October 12:30 pm (Networking Hub) Choose a topic that interests you and join fellow attendees for an informal discussion at BLE’s Topic Table Talks. Each table will focus on a different licensing subject, creating an easy way to exchange ideas and meet people with similar interests.
- Take a break at the My Little Pony Café (B211 on the Show Floor) Hasbro is reimagining the world of My Little Pony as a colourful lifestyle café at BLE. Stop by for a coffee or sweet treat and take some time out between meetings.
- Visiting for the first time? Start here Download the free Event Starter Pack before you arrive for licensing basics and useful pre-show guidance, then join the Show Floor Tour to get your bearings. There are also dedicated networking opportunities for first-timers and solo visitors, making it easier to meet people and start building a licensing network:
- Tuesday 6 October: 09:30 am Your Guide to Brand Licensing Europe; 09:45 am Brand Licensing Explained; 10:15 am Show Floor Tour; 12:30 pm New to Show & Solo Traveller Networking.
- Wednesday 7 October: 09:30 am Coffee Networking; 12:30 pm Topic Table Talks
- Head over to the Licensee Pavilion (C171 on the Show Floor) Introduced in response to growing demand from licensees looking to showcase their products and services to retailers and exhibiting brands, the featured licensees include YOLOPARK, Park Agency Licenses, SkyBrands A/S, Park Agency Retail, TAKE CARE and APOH London & Parkfields.
- Head to the Wellness Lounge for some rest & relaxation (S8 Lower on the Show Floor) Step away from the busy show into an ambient space featuring soft lighting and comfortable seating, offering a peaceful retreat to recharge between meetings.
- Solve the mystery of lunch at the Scooby-Doo Scooby Snacks Café (C141 on the Show Floor) Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products is bringing Scooby-Doo to the show floor with a themed café where visitors can grab snacks and drinks. Treat yourself to a well-deserved recharge between meetings and catch up with fellow attendees.
- Join us for a creative session, Wednesday 7 October 3:30 pm (Networking Hub) Using recent Monopoly style guides as case studies, this session, packed with practical insights, explores how to find the right creative direction, bringing fresh thinking to an established IP and create style guides that genuinely inspire licensees and great products.
- Fancy a bit of culture? Join the Timeless Brands, Modern Moves: Heritage & Museum Licensing Strategies session – Thursday 8 October, 10:00 am (License Global Main Stage) Find out how the world's most iconic cultural institutions are reimagining licensing for the modern marketplace with licensing experts from London Zoo, the Natural History Museum, Van Gogh Museum, and the Tate.
- Give something back with Sebby’s Corner (Info Hub, Show Floor F275) Sebby’s Corner, a London-based charity returns to support vulnerable children and families with everyday essentials. Exhibitors and attendees can donate leftover or excess samples and display products at the end of the show, helping give products brought to BLE a new home with families who need them. More details on the products being accepted here.
- Build your career in licensing – Young Persons Network – Careers Afternoon, Thursday, 8 October 12:00 pm (Networking Hub) In partnership with Licensing International, two sessions will explore career pathways in licensing: ‘Breaking into Licensing’, with young professionals sharing how they landed their first roles, and ‘Climbing the Licensing Ladder’, offering advice from industry experts on career development, progression and leadership.
- Meet the experts in the Service Provider area (Show Floor D131-1 to D131-5) Make time to head to the Service Provider area, where you can connect with specialists offering legal, financial, creative, technical and marketing expertise. This year’s line-up includes JMW Solicitors, Wander, 3D AG, TeDa Connect and New Alchemy Solutions.
- Support the delivery of play. Look out on our social posts for ways to support for The Toy Foundation, one of our charitable partners. Through its Toy Chest and Play Fund programmes, the Foundation has delivered the power of play to nearly 40 million children, helping companies turn purpose into meaningful impact through toy donations and funding for play projects.
- Meet the incredible BLE organisers – Tuesday 4:30 pm (Networking Hub) Join us for an informal meet and greet – whether you’re considering exhibiting for the first time or looking to maximise your presence at next year’s event, our experienced team will be on hand to answer any questions and discuss opportunities.
- Don’t forget to register before! If you’re coming to BLE, register now.
