About ExCeL London
ExCeL London opened in 2000 on a former dockyard in Newham, east London, and has since established itself as the UKs largest single-site exhibition venue. The two main exhibition halls together cover roughly 100,000 m of column-free space; a 2024 extension added a further 25,000 m to the east, alongside new conference and event spaces.
The hall portfolio
The original venue is structured as two parallel halls (North and South) each subdividable into smaller stand-builds for concurrent events. Both halls are fully column-free with 8.5 m ceiling clearance and 25 kN/m floor loading. The new East Extension brings additional 25,000 m of flexible event space and a fourth conference hall. The Royal Victoria Dock waterside frontage hosts outdoor event activations and is used for Formula E London ePrix.
Signature events
London Tech Week (June) and the World Travel Market (November) anchor the corporate calendar. IFSEC International is Europes largest security technology trade fair. DSEI (biennial September) is one of the worlds three largest defence and security trade fairs - heavily-guarded, security-cleared, and politically significant. MCM London Comic Con runs twice annually with 100,000+ consumer attendees. The London Boat Show, International Confex and the ExCeL-hosted Formula E ePrix complete the lineup. ExCeL also served as the 2012 Olympics combat-sports venue and the NHS Nightingale Hospital during COVID.
Logistics for exhibitors
ExCeL is directly served by the Docklands Light Railway (Custom House and Prince Regent stations). The Elizabeth Line connects Custom House directly to Heathrow in one hour and Bond Street in 18 minutes. London City Airport is one DLR stop away. Agility Logistics and GBH Exhibition Forwarding handle most on-site freight. ATA Carnets are required for non-UK exhibitors post-Brexit; allow 3-5 working days for customs clearance via Tilbury or Felixstowe for sea freight.
Working at ExCeL
UK exhibition culture is contractual and process-led. Risk Assessment and Method Statements (RAMS) are required for every stand build over 4 m or with rigging. Build-up windows typically open 72 hours before doors. Working hours are restricted to 08:00-20:00 unless extended hours are pre-booked. ExCeL has six attached hotels (Sunborn, Aloft, Crowne Plaza, Travelodge, ibis and Novotel) totalling 1,500+ rooms - by far the densest exhibition-attached hotel inventory in the UK.
What your builder handles at this venue
Agility Logistics and GBH Exhibition Forwarding are the dominant on-site forwarders. Post-Brexit, all EU exhibitors require an ATA Carnet for any equipment crossing the UK border for return. Sea freight clears at Tilbury or Felixstowe - allow 3-5 working days. Air freight via Heathrow typically clears in 24-48 hours. The on-site customs facility opens 06:00-22:00 during build-up.
ExCeL has 60+ truck docks split across the North and South halls plus the East Extension. Truck slots must be booked through the ExCeL Logistics portal at least 14 days in advance. The on-site truck marshalling yard (Connaught Crossing) handles overflow. For DSEI and London Tech Week, expect security checks at the perimeter gate - allow extra time on day one.
Forklifts (3 and 5 tonne) and mobile cranes (up to 30 tonne) are available through Agility. UK rigging law (LOLER 1998) requires inspection certificates for all lifting equipment - foreign certificates may not be accepted. Rigging from the column-free roof grid requires structural calculations stamped by a UK-licensed CEng. Maximum rigging point load is 750 kg in the original halls and 1,200 kg in the East Extension.
Standard stand connections are 13A, 16A or 32A 3-phase. UK electrical work must comply with BS 7671 (the "Wiring Regs") and be certified by a NICEIC-registered electrician. Power-on inspection must clear 12 hours before doors.
Build-up: 08:00-20:00 (extended hours bookable, 20:00-08:00 considered overnight working and subject to noise restrictions). Dismantle begins 1 hour after close and must clear within 48 hours. UK working time regulations apply (max 48 hours/week opt-out required for crew working longer shifts).