中文London Packaging Week 2026 has been redesigned around a single theme — Discovery — with a program organizers call the show’s most ambitious yet. Taking place at ExCeL London on 16 and 17 September, the event aims to help packaging professionals find practical solutions to their biggest brand and packaging challenges, all in one place, at a time when the function is under increasing strategic scrutiny.
A Show Built for Hard Decisions
As packaging takes on a more strategic role inside modern brands, the pressure to make faster, smarter decisions has intensified. Teams must respond to tightening regulation, evolving consumer expectations, material innovation and commercial pressure simultaneously. London Packaging Week 2026 is structured to meet that reality, helping visitors uncover the ideas, expertise and connections needed to move projects forward. Organizers argue that a great event is measured not by how much there is to see, but by what visitors take away.
New Features for 2026
The headline addition is a new-look Innovation Gallery, a curated showcase of the industry’s most exciting packaging developments, complete with twice-daily guided tours explaining the thinking behind tomorrow’s packaging. Alongside it, the Design Hub — powered by Pentawards — offers a dedicated destination for brand and design professionals, combining expert talks, curated content and networking. Pentawards’ celebrated exhibition returns in expanded format, showcasing 50 award-winning designs plus an exclusive networking reception.
In an exclusive first, the show will premiere the trailer for an upcoming documentary going behind the scenes at James Cropper, the UK’s last remaining mill producing coloured paper. The Podcast Studio brings leading industry voices together for candid conversations on the commercial realities and creative challenges shaping packaging today. The Start-up Zone and Discovery Theatre give visitors early access to emerging businesses and disruptive technologies that could shape their next project or product launch.
Networking Gets Bigger
New for 2026, the Trail of Secrets invites visitors to uncover the latest innovations and exhibitors across the floor, unlocking a complimentary refreshment at The Inner Circle Bar on completion. Dedicated Happy Hours and an end-of-day drinks reception expand the chances to build relationships. A new Women in Packaging Networking Breakfast & Powerhour, delivered with Packaging News, creates a forum for senior leaders to share experience and develop the next generation of talent — a recognition that some of the most valuable conversations happen away from the exhibition stands.
The Numbers Behind the Event
More than 220 leading exhibitors and over 5,700 visitors are expected, supported by a world-class conference program and returning highlights including the London Packaging Week Innovation Awards, the VIP Lounge and The Inner Circle Bar. Josh Brooks, Divisional Director – Packaging at Easyfairs, says the new features were designed around helping people solve real problems, discover new ideas and make valuable connections they can take back into their business. For brand owners, designers and suppliers alike, the reimagined format aims to make every hour on site deliver genuine value.
Source: London Packaging Week / Easyfairs via WhatTheyThink.
