Flanders Horse Expo, the final edition, will be held from 26 to 28 February 2027 at Flanders Expo, Gent, Belgium, celebrating 17 years of equestrian excellence.
Dates
26–28 Feb 2027
City / country
Gent, Belgium
Venue
Flanders Expo
Are you the organiser of this event?
Event overview
Flanders Horse Expo has been a cornerstone of the equestrian sector for 17 years, concluding its journey with a final event from 26 to 28 February 2027 at Flanders Expo in Gent, Belgium. This event has brought together suppliers, exhibitors, and visitors, creating lasting memories and fostering community spirit.
As we bid farewell, we reflect on the success and contributions of all involved, celebrating the rich history of this beloved expo. Flanders Horse Expo takes place in Gent, Belgium.
TL;DR
Visitors will have the opportunity to experience the final edition of Flanders Horse Expo, celebrating its legacy in the equestrian sector. Engage with suppliers and exhibitors, and enjoy a unique atmosphere filled with memories and community spirit. This is a chance to be part of a significant moment in equestrian history.
Exhibiting at Flanders Horse Expo offers a unique opportunity to connect with a dedicated audience in the equestrian industry. Showcase your products and services in the final edition of this renowned event, gaining visibility and fostering relationships with key stakeholders in the sector. Don't miss the chance to be part of this historic farewell.
Attendees, exhibitors & solutions
Visitor profile
Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.
Exhibitor profile
Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.
Product categories
Key solution areas showcased across the event.
Location & Facilities
Gent, Belgium
Flanders Expo in Gent typically provides on-site or adjacent visitor parking during major trade fairs; confirm daily rates, payment methods and hall access on the organiser or venue website before travel.
Food options
On-site catering
On-site diningParking: Flanders Expo in Gent typically provides on-site or adjacent visitor parking during major trade fairs; confirm daily rates, payment methods and hall access on the organiser or venue website before travel.
Gate: Follow organiser signage to the main visitor entrance at Flanders Expo for badge collection; allow extra time for security screening during peak morning arrival.
Attend
Who runs the show
Centaur Events NV
How the last edition performed
Last edition
2026 · Gent
Next edition
Not announced yet
Edition recap
Impact
De Flanders Horse Expo 2026 vond plaats van 18 tot 21 februari 2026 in Flanders Expo in Gent. De editie werd afgesloten met The Best of Belgium Battle. Na 17 succesvolle edities maakte de organisatie bekend dat het evenement stopt.
Intelligence
Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.
Why it matters
Attending Flanders Horse Expo on 2027-02-26 to 2027-02-28 in Gent lets buyers and specifiers benchmark suppliers, see live demonstrations, and compress months of vendor meetings into one focused trade visit — worthwhile when your category roadmap aligns with the official exhibitor profile.
Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.
Digital buyer journeys
What digital buyer journeys means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Sustainability in procurement
What sustainability in procurement means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Automation and labour efficiency
What automation and labour efficiency means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Regional supply-chain resilience
What regional supply-chain resilience means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Hybrid engagement models
What hybrid engagement models means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Latest updates from across the market.
News - Belgian HorseHub launched - Hippomundo
ReadNews - Belgian Horse Hub
ReadBelgian Horse Hub
ReadFlemish horse industry generates 1.43 billion euros but faces ...
ReadStokmans at the helm: the Belgian federation changes pilot. - So Horse
ReadThe European Horse Industry: Market Size, Trends & Future Outlook ...
ReadPlan your trip
Choose from the following airports, with convenient access to the event and venue.
Brussels Airport
to venue
by car
A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.
voco Gent by IHG
Listed at roughly 140 m from Flanders Expo in the Google Hotels search results: the most practical base if you are working build-up, show days and dismantle. Confirm rates, parking and event-weekend minimum stays.
Courtyard by Marriott Ghent
Midscale option with parking and fitness centre shown for the Flanders Expo dates in the Google Hotels results. Good compromise between city access and a straightforward drive to the venue.
Van der Valk Hotel Gent
Four-star hotel with spa and pet-friendly policy in the Google Hotels listing near Flanders Expo; suits longer stays and crew rooms. Confirm parking and live rates.
Campanile Hotel & Restaurant Gent
Two-star hotel with free parking and pet-friendly rooms per the Google Hotels results for the show weekend; the value option if you are driving in with equipment.
Holiday Inn Gent Expo by IHG
Venue-district hotel positioned for Flanders Expo traffic; walking distance to the halls on a good day. Check availability for the exact show dates and confirm whether a shuttle or walkway is in use.
NH Gent Belfort
Central Ghent base within walking distance of the historic core, restaurants and tram stops for the ride to Flanders Expo. Practical if you want evenings in the city rather than the venue district.
Ghent Marriott Hotel
Upscale canal-side option in the city centre, convenient for evening meetings; requires a tram or taxi transfer to Flanders Expo. Book early for show weekends.
1898 The Post
Boutique property in the historic post building; a short-stay option for senior visitors who want the city centre and will transfer to the venue by tram or car. Confirm live availability.
Pillows Grand Boutique Hotel Reylof
Boutique hotel with spa in central Ghent, suitable for hosted buyers and exhibitor leadership. Allow transfer time to Flanders Expo during morning peak.
ibis Gent Centrum Opera
Limited-service city-centre option near the opera and tram lines; a lower-cost base with a short commute to the venue. Confirm room type and breakfast inclusion.
Get around the city with these convenient transport options.
train + tram
The standard non-car route. Brussels Airport has its own rail station with direct services to Ghent; from Gent-Sint-Pieters take a De Lijn tram or bus toward Flanders Expo. Approximate fares, confirm live prices and timetables.
tram/bus (De Lijn)
De Lijn operates the urban network serving the Flanders Expo stop. Buy via the app, contactless or a ticket machine; validate before boarding. Approximate fares, confirm current zones and prices.
taxi
Fixed-fare and metered airport taxis serve Ghent; the journey is roughly 65 km, so rail plus tram is usually cheaper. Book through an official airport taxi rank rather than an unmarked car. Approximate fares, confirm with the operator.
coach/bus
Long-distance coach operators serve Brussels and Ghent and can undercut rail on price, but add a transfer to the venue. Compare total journey time before choosing. Approximate fares, confirm live.
car
Roughly 65 km on the motorway network with venue parking at Flanders Expo. Useful for exhibitors carrying stock, less so for day visitors because of parking queues at peak arrival. Approximate costs, confirm parking charges.
Weather
Ghent in late February is cold and changeable: expect damp, overcast days, frequent light rain and daytime temperatures around 1-8 C, with a raw wind between the halls, stable tents and the Flanders Expo car parks. A waterproof outer layer and a warm mid-layer are more useful than formal wear, and the low afternoon light means the walk back to the tram stop or car park feels longer than the map suggests.
Plan for the climate
Check temperatures and pack accordingly
Venue connectivity
Belgium is covered by EU roaming rules, so most EU visitors can use their home plan at no extra cost; non-EU visitors should check a travel eSIM or a local prepaid SIM from a Belgian operator. Flanders Expo is a large steel-and-glass venue, so mobile data can be congested at peak times in the halls. Confirm venue wifi availability and any exhibitor network details with the organiser, and download the De Lijn app, hotel confirmations and your ticket offline before you travel.
Ride-hailing
Taxis
Public transit
Car rentals
Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.
Dutch-speaking Flanders
Ghent is in Dutch-speaking Flanders. Signage and arena announcements are primarily in Dutch, with English widely understood by exhibitors and hotel staff. Learning a few words such as 'mennen' (driving) and 'springen' (jumping) helps when following the programme.
Horse-event etiquette
Keep a quiet distance from horses in the halls, never approach from directly behind, and follow ring-master instructions around hall 7 and hall 5. Photography with flash is usually unwelcome near horses; ask before filming riders or the Meet and Greet zone in hall 2.
Tipping and payments
Belgium includes service in restaurant bills, and rounding up or adding 5-10 percent is a normal courtesy rather than an obligation. Card and contactless payment are standard in Ghent, but keep some euros for smaller stands and tram ticket machines.
February rhythm in Ghent
Late February is low season: restaurants are easier to book than in spring, museums are quiet, and the city works on normal weekday and weekend rhythms rather than festival schedules. Shops are generally closed on Sundays outside the main shopping streets, so buy supplies on Saturday.
Practical guides
Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.
Destination: BRU
Brussels Airport (BRU) is the best-connected choice for Ghent, with a rail station under the terminal and direct trains to Gent-Sint-Pieters. Brussels South Charleroi (CRL) can be cheaper on low-cost routes but adds a coach or rail leg of roughly 90 minutes or more. Book six to eight weeks out for late-February travel, allow a buffer on arrival day if you are exhibiting, and keep the rail ticket separate from the flight so a delay does not invalidate the transfer. Confirm live fares and schedules before booking.
Check whether you need a Schengen short-stay visa for Belgium based on your nationality; business visitors should apply at the Belgian embassy or consulate and carry an invitation or exhibitor confirmation from the fair.
Processing: Varies by nationality; apply several weeks before travel.
Official Belgian foreign affairs visa pages are the authoritative source; fees and processing times depend on the consulate handling your application.
OfficialGet to the venue and around the city with these options.
Airport → venue: Primary gateways: Brussels Airport (BRU). Allow road or rail time to Flanders Expo; on-site parking is usually available at major exhibition venues.
Hotel → venue: Precinct hotels near Flanders Expo: Ghent (near Flanders Expo): voco Gent by IHG; Ghent: Courtyard by Marriott Ghent; Ghent: Van der Valk Hotel Gent.
Ride-hail: Ride-hailing apps operate in Ghent, though coverage and wait times are thinner than in Brussels, especially late at night and on Sundays. For the airport run, use the official Brussels Airport taxi rank or a pre-booked transfer rather than an unlicensed car; for short hops between a central hotel and Flanders Expo, a metered taxi from a rank or an app car both work. Confirm the fare estimate in the app before you ride and allow extra time on show mornings.
Public transit: De Lijn runs the urban tram and bus network in Ghent, with a stop serving Flanders Expo and connections from Gent-Sint-Pieters station and the city centre. Buy a single ticket in the app or at a machine and validate on boarding; multi-day passes suit a longer stay. Services to the venue are busiest in the hour before opening and after the arena programme ends, so plan around those peaks. Approximate single fares are in the region of EUR 2.50-3, confirm current zones and prices on the De Lijn site.
Parking: Flanders Expo has on-site parking adjacent to the halls, with charges set by the venue for event days. Arrive early on the first morning and at the weekend, when the nearest car parks fill and queues form at the entrance. Exhibitors with vans or trailers should confirm the freight and loading access route separately from visitor parking. Confirm current tariffs and payment methods on the venue or organiser page before driving in.
Plan and pack for the event climate.
Month: February 2027 (late-February edition window - confirm exact dates on the official organiser site)
Temperature: Approx. 1-8 C daytime, colder at night, with wind making it feel lower
Seasonality: February is one of Ghent's wetter, greyer months: drizzle and short showers are more common than heavy downpours, and daylight fades by late afternoon. Indoor halls are heated, but the walk between halls, stable areas and car parks is exposed, so build in time rather than crossing the site in a hurry.
Packing: Pack a waterproof jacket with a hood or a compact umbrella, warm mid-layers, a scarf and gloves, and comfortable waterproof footwear for walking between halls, outdoor areas and the Flanders Expo car parks. Bring a spare pair of shoes if you are on the stand for several days, and a small bag for programmes and samples.
Plan your trip
Best day to visit: Day 2 (mid-show)
Mid-show days at Flanders Horse Expo usually combine full exhibitor attendance with scheduled B2B meetings, before early pack-down on the final day.
Fourteen days out: confirm the exact 2027 show dates and daily opening hours on flanders-horse-expo.be and check whether any hall programme (Flanders Horse Cup in hall 7, demonstrations in hall 5) is ticketed separately.
Confirm your Schengen entry position and passport validity - non-EU visitors should check the Belgian immigration pages and apply for a Schengen short-stay visa well before the 14-day mark if one is required.
Book the hotel now rather than in show week: central Ghent properties connected by tram, plus the venue-adjacent cluster around Maaltekouter, are the two practical bases.
Decide the airport: Brussels Airport (BRU) gives the best rail connection to Gent-Sint-Pieters; Brussels South Charleroi (CRL) is cheaper for some low-cost routes but adds a coach leg.
Pre-book the airport-to-Ghent leg if you are arriving late in the evening, when the frequency of De Lijn connections to Flanders Expo drops.
Download the De Lijn app or check the operator site for the tram and bus routes serving the Flanders Expo stop, and note the last service back to your hotel.
Check whether your mobile operator covers Belgium in your roaming plan, or plan to buy a local prepaid SIM on arrival for maps and ticketing.
Pack waterproof outerwear, warm mid-layers and closed waterproof shoes - late February in Ghent means drizzle, grey skies and cold wind between halls and car parks.
If you are attending for business, print or save a short supplier list by category (stabling, feed, farriery, veterinary, transport, rider safety) so you can work the halls efficiently.
Bring a power bank and a small bag that fits under a chair for the arena sessions in hall 7 and the demonstration slots in hall 5.
Check the organiser's photo and filming policy if you intend to record the Meet and Greet zone in hall 2 or the competition arenas.
Confirm your return airport transfer time against the show closing hour, and leave a buffer for the walk from the halls to the tram stop or car park.
Save the venue address (Maaltekouter 1, 9051 Ghent) offline and keep a screenshot of your ticket confirmation for the gate check.
Registration and hall orientation at Flanders Expo
Supplier meetings and product demos
Final negotiations and follow-up
Flanders Horse Expo registration concourse
Flanders Expo
Central meeting point before and between hall appointments during show days.
Organiser B2B lounge (if offered)
Flanders Expo
Hosted matchmaking and buyer programmes when published by the organiser.
Budget
Adjust the inputs below to create a directional event budget.
This is a directional estimate. Please verify live rates before booking.
Decision
Use this quick check to decide whether Flanders Horse Expo fits your visit, exhibit or skip plan.
QUESTION 1 OF 6
What is your primary role?
Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.
visit
Your category focus aligns with the official product themes.
Best for
Buyers, researchers, and delegates evaluating the programme and networking value.
Min. budget
$400.00
Timeline
4-8 weeks before opening day for registration and travel.
Risks
Limited session times published - confirm agenda before booking.
exhibit
You have a clear lead-generation or launch goal for this market.
Best for
Suppliers and brands seeking qualified meetings with the event audience.
Min. budget
$2,500.00
Timeline
3-6 months for stand booking, freight, and marketing prep.
Risks
Booth pricing not published in captured sources - confirm with organiser.
skip
Programme, audience, or commercial goals do not match your plan.
Best for
Teams whose category or region fit is weak this edition.
Timeline
N/A
Risks
No major risks listed.
FAQs & glossary
Frequently asked
Glossary
Also known as
Alternate names and search phrases for this event.
Display a free company card at your booth, or share your professional card on the show floor.
