GaLaBau Sees Rise in Visitor Numbers – Themed Play Equipment in Focus

(eap) The 26^th edition of GaLaBau, held from 15 to 18 September at the exhibition centre of NürnbergMesse in Nuremberg, Germany, once again recorded an increase in visitor numbers. The leading International Trade Fair for Urban Green Spaces and Open Spaces welcomed almost 68,000 trade visitors from more than 90 countries, according to NürnbergMesse. Compared to the previous edition in 2024, which attracted around 66,500 visitors, this represents an increase of approximately two per cent. According to the organiser, the fair’s international reach grew by eleven per cent.

On the exhibitor side, around 1,100 companies showcased their solutions and innovations for the gardening and landscaping sector. Play equipment once again formed a key product category in the design of outdoor spaces. From advice on material properties and safety requirements to creative design and the development of entire playground concepts, the stands of play equipment manufacturers offered representatives of municipalities and operators of privately run leisure facilities the opportunity to discuss their planned projects with industry experts.

Uschi's Party Gets out of Control © Photo: Spielart Spielart, based in Laucha in the German state of Thuringia, presented a colourful adventure playground made from robinia wood. Entitled “Uschi’s Party Gets out of Control”, the structure illustrated the wide range of individual design possibilities offered by themed play equipment. In addition to encouraging the development of children’s motor and social skills, such installations can also stimulate their imagination and appeal to their emotions.

Berliner Seilfabrik, a regular exhibitor at GaLaBau as well as at specialist trade fairs for the leisure industry, unveiled its newly developed rope play structure “Kaheyo”. At its heart is the “Berliner Masche”, a specially developed flexible rope element that enables the creation of curved net landscapes, opening up new opportunities for physical activity (see EAP news of 21 July 2026). Looking back on the event, Melina Baar, Marketing and Communications at Berliner Seilfabrik, reported that the company had made “many valuable contacts” at this year’s GaLaBau. “There was a great deal of appreciation for the quality and appearance of our products. What is more, this year’s event was even more international than we had expected,” said Baar. Play equipment also received increasing attention in the conference programme. Julia Köhler, Head of Marketing at Berliner Seilfabrik, gave a presentation entitled “Play Has No Age Limit”, highlighting an increasingly important aspect of playground design in public spaces.

A space ship-themed play structure. © Photo: SIK-Holz Marc Oelker, Managing Director of Brandenburg-based play equipment manufacturer SIK-Holz, also described GaLaBau as “highly international”, calling it an “important international meeting place”. “The opportunity to meet many of our partners from different countries in person within just a few days was a major benefit of the event for us,” said Oelker. At its stand, the company showcased a themed play structure designed to resemble a spaceship. The concept reflects an aspect of the company’s philosophy: “At trade fairs such as GaLaBau, we like to present play equipment that also conveys a particular attitude. Every year at SIK-Holz, we choose a guiding theme, most recently ‘Realistic Optimism’. The idea behind it is simple: we do not want to downplay the challenges of our time in order to remain optimistic. After all, we know what we are capable of: creating places where people can come together, where children can be active and play with one another. The spaceship at our stand was intended to symbolise curiosity and the spirit of new beginnings,” explained Oelker.

The Emsland-based company Kinderland also reported a successful trade fair in Nuremberg. Through its KinderlandParks division, the company regularly creates entire themed experience worlds for theme parks, zoos and other attractions. More recently, Kinderland has also expanded into the production of rope play equipment. As the first product in its new “KinderlandTauwerk” division, the company presented its modular “AVA” rope play series at GaLaBau. Designed as three-dimensional knotted nets incorporating multiple play levels, pathways and tunnels, the individual modules can be installed either as standalone attractions or combined to create larger structures.

Many of the themed play equipment manufacturers exhibiting at GaLaBau were also represented at IAAPA Expo Europe in London, which likewise took place in September. In the upcoming November/December issue of EAP, readers can look forward to our trade fair report from London featuring a selection of the new products and developments discovered on the show floor. ■