Koelnmesse opened its current grounds in 1924 and now ranks as the third-largest German fairground by area. The 284,000 m complex sits in the Deutz district on the right bank of the Rhine, with views back across the river to Cologne Cathedral and the historic old town. A 600 million euro renovation programme (2018-2030) is modernising the seven southern halls from the 1970s.
The hall portfolio
Halls 1-11 are arranged around two central axes. Hall 11 (built 2003) offers the highest ceiling clearance at 14.5 m and is the venue of choice for double-deck stands at IDS and imm Cologne. Halls 6-9 (the southern complex currently being renovated) carry the highest floor loads (4,500 kg/m). The historic Hall 1 retains its original 1924 architecture and is the most photographed exhibition hall in Cologne. The pedestrian bridge across the rail tracks connects all halls to the dedicated Koelnmesse ICE station.
Signature fairs
Gamescom every August is the worlds largest interactive games and entertainment trade fair (320,000 visitors). Anuga (biennial October) is the worlds largest food and beverage fair (7,500 exhibitors, 140,000 trade visitors). imm Cologne every January is the global furniture industry leader. The International Dental Show (IDS, biennial) anchors global dental technology. Photokina (camera and imaging), ISM (sweets and snacks), Spoga+Gafa (garden), and Anuga FoodTec round out a packed schedule.
Logistics for exhibitors
Koelnmesse has its own ICE rail stop (Koln Messe/Deutz) directly inside the venue - the fastest single transfer of any major European exhibition venue, with direct services to Frankfurt (1h 10m), Berlin (4h 30m) and Brussels (1h 50m). Cologne/Bonn Airport is 12 minutes by S-Bahn S13. Kuehne+Nagel is the official on-site forwarder.
Working at Koelnmesse
Rhineland business culture is famously informal and warm by German standards. Build-up periods are typical for German venues (five to six days for the major shows). Gamescom week sees Cologne overrun with 300,000+ visitors and consumer-day chaos around halls 7 and 8 - book hotel rooms by January for the following August.