In 2026 games enter the program for the first time at Gothenburg’s major publishing fair. From 24 to 27 September the activity is concentrated at Svenska Mässan - Swedish Exhibition & Congress Centre where publishers, agents and authors will take part in panels and themed spaces.
Dates and venue
The event takes place from 24 to 27 September 2026 at Svenska Mässan - Swedish Exhibition & Congress Centre. The venue shares a building with Gothia Towers, which facilitates logistics for those traveling from outside the city. The organizers publish information about schedules, access and services on the official website.
Topics and confirmed speakers
The editorial lines of this edition include Popular Education and Games. Among the announced names are Jamaica Kincaid, who will receive the Sjöjungfrun The Mermaid Award, and crime novelist Louise Penny. Guests from the video game world are also confirmed, such as Josef Fares and Andrzej Sapkowski, who take part in the new section dedicated to games.
The program also includes the International Rights Centre with options to negotiate rights and a Fellowship program aimed at international professionals. The website details specific activities and the possibility to book spaces in the IRC.
Preparation for exhibitors and rights agents
If you are going to exhibit or negotiate rights it is advisable to act in advance. Reserve your table or stand in the International Rights Centre when it becomes available and upload relevant materials to the fair’s platform. Have excerpts in English and in the languages of interest for the markets you are targeting, and prepare a digital dossier with quick links to title sheets.
The proximity of accommodation at Gothia Towers facilitates intensive meetings over a continuous workday. Take advantage of that setup to compress work sessions and reduce travel.
Practical tips for prospecting
- Identify on the fair’s platform the exhibitors and participants who share target markets.
- Plan brief 20-minute meetings and leave room for sample readings or digital presentations.
- Bring PDF files optimized for quick sending and clear follow-up contacts on each digital card.
- Use the International Rights Centre as a point of visibility for catalogues and to request tables.
These actions minimize time spent at the venue and increase commercial efficiency without relying on large logistical resources.
Closing and resources
The combination of popular education and games makes this edition a laboratory to explore new narratives and business models in publishing. If your goal is to negotiate rights, reach training audiences or understand the relationship between literature and interactive formats, plan with a calendar and materials ready. Check logistics, the program and bookings on the official website http://goteborg-bookfair.com to finalize schedules and manage accommodations.
