Held at Excel London on 16-17 September, London Packaging Week 2026 welcomed 6,688 unique visitors, up 16% from 2025, while bringing together more than 230 exhibitors and 110 speakers for what organizers describe as the largest edition in the event’s history.
The latest figures extend the show’s strong growth trajectory. Attendance has risen from just over 5,000 visitors in 2024 to 5,752 in 2025, before reaching 6,688 in 2026 — an increase of roughly one third in two years.
New formats expand the visitor experience
Built around the theme "Discovery," this year’s edition broadened its offering beyond the exhibition floor with several new features, including the Design Hub powered by Pentawards, the Discovery Theatre, a Podcast Studio, a Start-Up Zone, and the Inner Circle Bar. These joined an expanded Innovation Gallery and a reinforced networking program aimed at fostering cross-industry collaboration.
The event attracted professionals from across the packaging value chain, spanning luxury, beauty, drinks and consumer goods.
"We’ve had people from marketing, procurement and design here today, as well as our quality team," said Nisha Verma, Senior Packaging Development Manager at Charlotte Tilbury, highlighting the show’s role as a cross-functional meeting point for packaging teams.
Regulation and innovation take centre stage
The conference program reflected the sector’s evolving priorities, with more than 110 speakers addressing topics ranging from Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) to artificial intelligence, consumer behaviour, sustainable materials and packaging design.
For Radhika Patel, Packaging Innovation Specialist at Molson Coors Beverage Company, the event provided practical insight into regulatory and sustainability challenges while opening opportunities to explore new packaging solutions.
Awards spotlight beauty and luxury packaging
The London Packaging Week Innovation Awards recognized projects across multiple sectors, with Prada, Refy, HairGym, Jack Daniel’s x McLaren, Heinz, Hotel Chocolat and Fortnum & Mason among the winning brands.
The ceremony also honoured Margaret Bates with a Lifetime Achievement Award, while Marks & Spencer received the Packaging Team of the Year distinction.
According to organizer Easyfairs, the combination of sustained visitor growth and expanding content reflects the industry’s growing need for a platform that brings together brands, suppliers, designers and decision-makers navigating regulatory, sustainability and technology-driven transformation.
“To welcome 6,688 unique visitors through the doors is a fantastic result and a landmark moment for London Packaging Week. Growing attendance by more than 16% in a single year, following significant growth in 2025, shows the incredible momentum that has built around the event," said Josh Brooks, Divisional Director – Packaging Portfolio at Easyfairs.
“But the numbers only tell part of the story. What really stood out was the energy throughout Excel London. From the exhibition floor and conference stages to the Innovation Gallery, networking events and new features, there was a genuine appetite to discover new ideas, meet new people and understand how packaging is changing,” he concluded.
The next edition of London Packaging Week is scheduled to return to Excel London on 22-23 September 2027.
