If you arrive before the doors open you will find a lot of people milling about outside.  Don't be surprised to see people dressed up like superheroes, elves or storm troopers... if you see this, you are definitely in the right place!

Essen Spiel takes place across about 9 large halls, most filled with retailers selling new board games and card games, but with a good representation for RPGs, miniatures and LARPS.

The event also hosts a comic convention at the same time.

As the event is mainly a retail event - compared to other CONs which are more aligned to game playing - many players end up sitting on any spare floor area and getting out their newly aquired games to play.  This slowly squeezes the walk ways tighter and tighter.