Spoga+Gafa to return to September from 2027

Spoga+Gafa will return to its original date next year. From 2027 onwards, the world's leading trade fair for garden lifestyle and BBQ will once again take place in September. The 2022 edition had been scheduled for June for the first time. This year, Spoga+Gafa will still take place as planned from 22 to 24 June in Cologne. According to a statement by the organisers, Koelnmesse is responding to key feedback from the industry and strengthening the market logic of the event with the rescheduling from 2027 onwards.

By announcing the new dates early, Koelnmesse aims to create planning security for the international garden lifestyle and BBQ industry. The decision was based on intensive discussions with exhibitors, market partners and associations, as well as a qualitative industry survey and a detailed market analysis of Spoga+Gafa's core target segments.

‘The move to September from 2027 onwards responds to key feedback from the industry and supports more reliable scheduling and product range planning,’ says Sebastian Rosito, Business Unit Director at Koelnmesse GmbH. ‘The new date also creates better conditions for effectively presenting innovations and new products. In this way, we want to create the ideal conditions for successful business deals and well-founded market decisions, as well as further strengthening Spoga+Gafa's role as the leading international industry platform.’

With its return to the September date, Spoga+Gafa is more closely aligned with the actual business and seasonal cycle of the green industry. By this time, the gardening and barbecue season is largely over, meaning that reliable market data, sales figures and demand trends are available. Companies can immediately incorporate these findings into their product range and order planning for the following year. At the same time, the date falls outside the peak operating period for many retail and industrial companies.

The stand prices for 2027 will remain at the same level as in 2026. The dates for the upcoming events have already been set and are scheduled for the first two weeks of September: in 2027, the trade fair will take place from 7 to 9 September, in 2028 from 5 to 7 September and in 2029 from 4 to 6 September, each time from Tuesday to Thursday. Tickets for Spoga+Gafa are available from the official ticket shop: www.spogagafa.de/die-messe/tickets/tickets-kaufen/.

‘Spoga+Gafa is and remains an important leading trade fair for the green industry and is very close to our hearts. The change to September is a good compromise and an opportunity to further develop the trade fair and keep it fit for the future,’ says Christoph Büscher, Chairman of the German Garden Industry Association (IVG).

‘As an industry association, we understand the reasons for moving Spoga+Gafa to September again. The trade fair organisers are responding to the wishes of numerous exhibitors. If their presence and commitment further increase the attractiveness and relevance of the leading trade fair, the buyers of our trade members will also benefit significantly,’ says Dr Peter Wüst, Managing Director of the DIY, Building & Garden Trade Association.

"The postponement of Spoga+Gafa to September is a strategically important step for the barbecue industry. After the end of the barbecue season, manufacturers and retailers can assess market developments more accurately and make informed decisions for the next season. This strengthens the market relevance of the trade fair and consolidates its role as the most important international platform for the BBQ industry,‘ explains Norbert L. Jedrau, Managing Director of the Barbecue Industry Association Grill (BIAG).

’The new date in September fits in very well with the decision-making processes in the garden centre trade. Once the season is over, companies can plan for the coming year with a clear view and make informed ordering decisions. At the same time, Spoga+Gafa remains an important meeting place for our industry – because business is done where people meet in person," says Martina Mensing-Meckelburg, President of the Association of German Garden Centres (VDG).

"The decision to hold Spoga+Gafa in September from 2027 onwards is a deliberate step based on feedback from our international members and key manufacturers. September is the ideal time for Spoga+Gafa to welcome the international garden lifestyle and BBQ industry to Cologne – because that's when everyone's already looking ahead to the coming season," explains Oliver Ginestier, Director of Communications at Edra/Ghin.

"We see trade fairs as the central place where retailers and suppliers from the garden and DIY industry meet and inspire each other. By moving Spoga+Gafa to September and deciding on fixed trade fair dates, we are better aligned with the market timing. At the same time, this creates more space for topicality in the collections, which offers new opportunities for both retailers and suppliers," says Frank van der Heide, Managing Director EFSA.