Join us for the London International Horse Show from December 17 to 21, 2026, at ExCeL London, featuring thrilling equestrian competitions and festive entertainment.
Dates
17–21 Dec 2026
City / country
London, United Kingdom
Venue
ExCeL London
Time
10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Event overview
The London International Horse Show is a premier indoor equestrian event featuring world-class competitions in Dressage, Jumping, and Driving.
It takes place from December 17 to 21, 2026, at ExCeL London, showcasing top riders and exciting performances.
TL;DR
See world-class equestrian sport at the London International Horse Show, 17-21 December 2026 at ExCeL London. Watch FEI World Cup Qualifiers in dressage, show jumping and driving, plus the LeMieux Puissance and the daily London International Masterclass Series. Group rates of up to 25% are available for parties of 20 or more, and the Masterclass Series is free to watch from the standing viewing area. Enjoy Christmas shopping, food outlets and hospitality packages including the Phoenix Club, with easy access via three on-site DLR stations and London City Airport about 5 minutes away.
Exhibitors gain access to a targeted audience of equestrian enthusiasts and industry professionals, providing excellent opportunities for networking, brand visibility, and sales. Buyer Authority: Attracting equestrian enthusiasts, industry professionals, and families looking for festive entertainment. The London International Horse Show is a key event in the equestrian calendar, drawing competitors and spectators from around the world. It showcases the best in equestrian.
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
London, United Kingdom
Yes, there are over 1200 parking spaces available at ExCeL London.
Parking: There are more than 1200 car parking spaces at ExCeL London, with a pre-paid Number Plate Recognition System.
Attend
Event days & opening times
General Admission
Prices vary by day and seating area.
Ticket info
Ticket notes
Tickets can be purchased online.
How the last edition performed
Last edition
2025
Visitors: 80,000
Next edition
Not announced yet
New this edition
Expanded 2026 programme
Organisers promote FEI World Cup Qualifiers in dressage, show jumping and driving alongside exciting new events for the 2026 edition at ExCeL London.
SourceNew Horizon Plastics London Arena
A second arena hosting the London International Showing Series Finals and a full showing programme alongside the main International Arena.
SourceImpact
The London International Horse Show is a premier indoor equestrian event featuring world-class competitions in Dressage, Jumping, and Driving. It takes place from December 17 to 21, 2026, at ExCeL London, showcasing top riders and exciting performances. The London International Horse Show is a key event in the equestrian calendar, drawing competitors and spectators from around the world. It showcases the best in equestrian sport and promotes the industry.
Audience quality
Visitors typically include Equestrian enthusiasts looking for top-level competitions, Families seeking festive entertainment and activities, Industry professionals in the equestrian sector, Competitors and riders participating in events. Dates and Venue: The London International Horse Show runs from December 17 to 21, 2026, at ExCeL London, UK. Scale and Focus: This event is a highlight in the equestrian calendar, featuring top competitions in Dressage, Jumping, and Driving. Organiser: Managed by The HPower Group.
Exhibitor outcomes
Exhibitors gain access to a targeted audience of equestrian enthusiasts and industry professionals, providing excellent opportunities for networking, brand visibility, and sales. Buyer Authority: Attracting equestrian enthusiasts, industry professionals, and families looking for festive entertainment. The London International Horse Show is a key event in the equestrian calendar, drawing competitors and spectators from around the world. It showcases the best in equestrian.
Intelligence
Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.
Why it matters
Attending London International Horse Show on 2026-12-17 to 2026-12-21 in London 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.
Equestrian buyers, owners and federations plan the London International Horse Show alongside European indoor shows and British outdoor fixtures to compare competition calendars, retail ranges, pricing and sponsorship coverage across markets.
Pre-show
Confirm Shopping Village exhibitor meetings, saddlery and apparel range reviews, and hospitality bookings for the December run.
Show week
Arena sessions, stand walk-throughs and supplier negotiations across the five-day programme at ExCeL London.
Peer events are established international equestrian fixtures; confirm dates and venues on each organiser website before booking travel.
Plan your trip
Choose from the following airports, with convenient access to the event and venue.
Closest gateway to the Royal Docks; DLR from London City Airport station reaches Custom House in about 15 minutes with one change at Canning Town.
~5 km
to venue
10–15 min by road
by car
Widest long-haul network. The Elizabeth line runs direct to Custom House, which opens onto the ExCeL campus; taxis and pre-booked cars take 60–90 minutes in traffic.
~45 km
to venue
55–75 min by road; 50–60 min by Elizabeth line to Custom House
by car
Thameslink to London Bridge, then Jubilee line to Canning Town and one DLR stop to Custom House.
~80 km
to venue
75–100 min by road; ~65 min by rail via London Bridge
by car
Stansted Express to Liverpool Street, then Elizabeth line to Custom House — a single easy cross-platform change.
~63 km
to venue
60–80 min by road; ~75 min by rail
by car
Thameslink or the DART shuttle to St Pancras, then the Elizabeth line eastbound to Custom House.
~72 km
to venue
70–90 min by road; ~80 min by rail
by car
c2c trains to Fenchurch Street, then DLR from Tower Gateway to Custom House or Prince Regent.
~60 km
to venue
60–75 min by road; ~70 min by rail
by car
A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.
Aloft London Excel
Novotel London Excel
ibis London Excel-Docklands
Premier Inn London Docklands (Excel)
Travelodge London Excel
Sunborn London Yacht Hotel
Crowne Plaza London Docklands
Hilton London Canary Wharf
Get around the city with these convenient transport options.
metro
Three DLR stations sit inside the ExCeL campus. Custom House and Prince Regent are closest to the main halls; change at Canning Town or Poplar from the Jubilee line.
train
Fastest cross-London option at 15–25 minutes; Custom House station exits directly onto the ExCeL concourse, so no onward transfer is needed.
bus
Useful for hotel stays around Canning Town and Poplar; slower than the DLR but stops on the ExCeL doorstep.
taxi
The closest airport at 10–15 minutes; taxis and ride-hail pick up and drop at the ExCeL vehicle entries on Royal Victoria Dock.
taxi
Allow 60–90 minutes by road; pre-book for early-morning arrivals and expect a premium on post-performance evening pickups.
parking
Around 1,800 spaces across the campus; pre-book for show days as the site fills by mid-morning. ExCeL sits inside the London ULEZ, so check your vehicle charge before driving.
taxi
75–100 min by road; ~65 min by rail via London Bridge; Thameslink to London Bridge, then Jubilee line to Canning Town and one DLR stop to Custom House.
taxi
60–80 min by road; ~75 min by rail; Stansted Express to Liverpool Street, then Elizabeth line to Custom House — a single easy cross-platform change.
Plan your trip
Check the latest visa requirements and entry guidelines before travelling.
| Type | Who needs it | Fee | Processing | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) | Visa-exempt nationals (including EU, US, Canadian, Australian and Japanese passport holders) travelling to the UK for business visits, trade fairs or tourism | $20.00 | Usually within 3 working days; apply at least a week before travel | |
| Standard Visitor visa | Nationals who require a visa for the UK and are attending trade fairs, business meetings or training for up to six months | $170.00 | Around 3 weeks for standard decisions; allow 6–8 weeks in the December peak |
Visa-exempt nationals still need an approved ETA before travel; airlines verify it at check-in. Confirm your own nationality against the GOV.UK visa requirements list before booking flights.
Official visa pageWeather
Mid-December in London is cold, damp and dark early: expect daytime highs of 7–9°C, overnight lows of 2–4°C, around 11 wet days in the month with 55–70 mm of rain, and daylight ending before 16:00. The Royal Docks waterfront is exposed, so wind chill makes the walk between Custom House and the halls feel colder than the thermometer suggests. Pack a waterproof coat with a hood, warm layers, water-resistant footwear and a compact umbrella, plus a smart-casual outfit for hospitality areas.
Plan for the climate
Check temperatures and pack accordingly
Venue connectivity
UK operators EE, Vodafone, Three and O2 all sell prepaid data SIMs and eSIMs, typically GBP 10–20 for a 30-day bundle; travel eSIMs from Airalo, Holafly or Ubigi can be purchased online and activated on arrival. Free Wi-Fi covers the ExCeL halls, concourses and cafés, and 5G coverage is strong across the Royal Docks and Canary Wharf. Visitors from outside the UK pay roaming charges on their home SIMs, so buy a local or travel eSIM before relying on mobile data.
Ride-hailing
Taxis
Public transit
Car rentals
Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.
Tipping
Tipping is optional in the UK. Around 10–12.5% is customary in restaurants when no service charge is already added; tips are not expected in pubs, cafés or taxis but are appreciated.
Payments
Contactless cards and mobile wallets are accepted almost everywhere, including DLR, Tube, bus and tram fares. Cash is rarely needed; taxi drivers accept cards but carry a small amount of cash for convenience.
Showground etiquette
Smart-casual dress suits the shopping village and arena, with smarter jackets in hospitality boxes. Keep phones silent near the arena, remain seated during competition, and stand for the national anthem at the evening performance.
Practical guides
Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.
Destination: LCY
Fly into London City (LCY) for the shortest transfer, about 10–15 minutes to ExCeL; Heathrow (LHR) offers the widest long-haul choice with a direct Elizabeth line connection to Custom House. Gatwick, Stansted and Luton are viable on lower fares but add 45–75 minutes of onward rail travel. Most visa-exempt visitors must hold an approved UK Electronic Travel Authorisation before check-in, and airlines verify it at boarding, so apply at least a week ahead. December is peak season in London — book flights and flexible fares 8–12 weeks out, and favour arrivals before 15:00 on show days.
Most visitors to the UK either travel visa-free with a pre-approved Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) or apply for a Standard Visitor visa, which covers attending business events, meetings and trade shows for up to 6 months. Check your nationality on GOV.UK before booking flights.
Estimated cost: Standard Visitor visa from around GBP 135 for a 6-month stay; an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) is a lower fixed fee. Confirm current fees on GOV.UK before applying.
Processing: Standard Visitor visa decisions typically take around 3 weeks, so apply several weeks before travel and allow extra time in peak periods; ETAs are usually granted within days.
Visa-exempt nationals need an ETA linked to their passport before travel. Carry a printed booking confirmation, an event invitation and proof of accommodation. ExCeL London sits inside the London Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) if you plan to drive.
OfficialGet to the venue and around the city with these options.
Airport → venue: Primary gateways: London City (LCY): 10–15 min by road; London Heathrow (LHR): 55–75 min by road; 50–60 min by Elizabeth line to Custom House; London Gatwick (LGW): 75–100 min by road; ~65 min by rail via London Bridge; London Stansted (STN): 60–80 min by road; ~75 min by rail. Allow road or rail time to ExCeL London; on-site parking is usually available at major exhibition venues.
Hotel → venue: Precinct hotels near ExCeL London: Royal Victoria Dock, E16 — attached to the ExCeL campus: Aloft London Excel; Royal Victoria Dock, E16 — 2-minute walk to the halls: Novotel London Excel; Royal Victoria Dock, E16 — beside Custom House station: ibis London Excel-Docklands.
Ride-hail: Uber, Bolt and FREE NOW all operate across London and are the simplest option for late-evening performances when the DLR thins out. Pick-up and drop-off for ExCeL is at the designated vehicle entries on Royal Victoria Dock rather than inside the campus, so follow the venue signs from the halls. Expect GBP 12–20 from Canary Wharf or Stratford and GBP 70–120 from Heathrow; fares surge after the evening performance ends and during December Christmas traffic, so pre-book or walk to Custom House and take the Elizabeth line instead.
Public transit: ExCeL London has three DLR stations on site — Custom House, Prince Regent and Royal Victoria — with Custom House and Prince Regent closest to the main halls. The Elizabeth line also calls at Custom House, running direct from Tottenham Court Road, Liverpool Street and Canary Wharf in 15–25 minutes, and exits onto the ExCeL concourse. The Jubilee line (Canning Town), London Overground, river bus to North Greenwich and the London Cable Car all feed into the Royal Docks. Pay with a contactless card, phone or Oyster; adult single fares are GBP 2.80–4.20 with a daily cap of about GBP 10.90 for Zones 1–3, so no paper ticket is needed.
Parking: ExCeL London has around 1,800 on-site parking spaces across its Orange, Purple and Royal Victoria car parks, with pre-booked day rates of roughly GBP 12–20. Book ahead for show days: the campus fills by mid-morning and drop-off bays are time-limited. The venue sits inside the London Ultra Low Emission Zone, so check your vehicle's ULEZ charge before driving, and note that the DLR and Elizabeth line at Custom House are usually quicker than driving from central London.
Plan and pack for the event climate.
Month: December 2026
Temperature: Daytime highs of 7–9°C and overnight lows of 2–4°C across the 17–21 December show window, with the exposed Royal Docks waterfront and wind chill making it feel several degrees colder.
Seasonality: Mid-December is one of London's wettest and dullest stretches: roughly 11 rainy days across the month, 55–70 mm of rainfall and around four hours of sunshine per day, with darkness falling before 16:00 during evening performances.
Packing: Pack warm layers, a waterproof coat and umbrella, comfortable waterproof footwear, and smart-casual clothing for hospitality or VIP areas. Bring a UK type G travel adapter, a portable charger, and a small bag suitable for venue security checks.
Plan your trip
Best day to visit: Saturday 19 December 2026
Saturday carries the densest programme of the five-day run, combining a full afternoon session with a headline evening performance of FEI World Cup qualifiers, the LeMieux Puissance and the Masterclass Series. It also delivers peak footfall in the Shopping Village, making it the strongest single day for buyers meeting equestrian brands, while Thursday 17 and Monday 21 are quieter for stand conversations and hotel rates are noticeably lower midweek.
Confirm passport validity and UK entry status — Check on GOV.UK whether you need a Standard Visitor visa or an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before booking.
Book flights to London Heathrow, Gatwick or London City — London City Airport (LCY) is about 5 minutes from ExCeL London; Heathrow and Gatwick need 60-90 minutes by road or rail.
Reserve a hotel near ExCeL London — Royal Victoria Dock hotels such as Novotel London Excel, Premier Inn London Docklands and Travelodge London Excel are within walking distance of the halls.
Buy show tickets on the official website — General sale opens 30 April 2026; groups of 20 or more can save up to 25% on selected performances.
Plan the daily session schedule — Check the International Arena and New Horizon Plastics London Arena programmes for dressage, show jumping, driving and the Masterclass Series.
Arrange airport to hotel transfer — Use the DLR or Elizabeth line to Custom House, or pre-book a taxi for late arrivals.
Download travel apps and set up contactless payment — Load the TfL journey planner and a contactless card or phone wallet for DLR, Tube and bus fares.
Pack for a London December — Expect highs around 7-8 C and rain on roughly 11 days; bring warm layers, a waterproof coat and comfortable shoes.
Check venue access and parking — ExCeL has on-site parking for around 1,800 cars and sits inside the ULEZ; pre-book parking if driving.
Arrive in London and collect tickets — Allow extra time on day one for venue security, bag checks and finding your arena entrance at ExCeL London.
Arrive at Custom House by Elizabeth line or DLR, collect tickets and work the Shopping Village
ExCeL London concourse and Shopping VillageMorning arena performance — showing classes, young horse finals and driving
ExCeL main arenaLunch, supplier meetings and a walk-through of the LeMieux retail and hospitality areas
Restaurant terraces and hospitality suitesAfternoon and evening performance: FEI World Cup qualifiers, the LeMieux Puissance and the Masterclass Series
ExCeL main arenaGreenwich and the Cutty Sark
Central London and Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
Shopping Village aisles
The highest concentration of equestrian trade stands, saddlery, feed and apparel brands — best worked in the first 90 minutes after opening before spectator footfall peaks.
Hospitality suites and restaurant terraces
Where owners, breeders, sponsors and federation guests meet during the afternoon interval; box and table bookings are essential in December.
Sunborn London Yacht Hotel and Royal Victoria Dock promenade
Quiet dockside bars and lounges for coffee meetings and follow-ups away from arena noise, convenient for Royal Victoria Dock hotel stays.
Budget
Adjust the inputs below to create a directional event budget.
This is a directional estimate. Please verify live rates before booking.
Official cost items and estimated ranges for exhibitors.
visitor_ticket
visitor · General Admission
GBP 37.95 / per person
visa_fee
visitor · Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)
USD 20 / per application
visa_fee
visitor · Standard Visitor visa
USD 170 / per application
| Item | For | Tier | Estimated range | Status | As of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| visitor_ticket | visitor | General Admission | GBP 37.95 / per person | official | |
| visa_fee | visitor | Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) | USD 20 / per application | official | |
| visa_fee | visitor | Standard Visitor visa | USD 170 / per application | official |
Decision
Pick the closest answer for each. Your recommendation updates live.
QUESTION 1 OF 6
What is your primary role?
Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.
visit
Assess how this option fits your objectives.
Best for
Equestrian fans, families and hospitality guests booking day tickets for FEI World Cup qualifiers, the LeMieux Puissance and the Masterclass Series.
Min. budget
$350.00
Timeline
Book tickets when general sale opens on 30 April 2026 and reserve hotels 3-4 months ahead for December dates.
Risks
December is peak season, so Royal Victoria Dock hotels sell out and rates rise.
Tickets for popular evening performances may sell out quickly after general sale.
exhibit
Assess how this option fits your objectives.
Best for
Equestrian trade brands, equine nutrition, saddlery, apparel and lifestyle retailers booking a stand to reach UK riders, owners and buyers during the Christmas show.
Min. budget
$2,200.00
Timeline
6-9 months for stand design, build contractor and freight planning; book stand space early in the year.
Risks
Stand space in prime ExCeL halls is limited and allocated on a first-come basis.
Freight and temporary import of goods need early customs and carnet planning.
skip
Assess how this option fits your objectives.
Best for
Visitors who cannot travel to London in December, or trade buyers whose products have no equestrian retail or sport channel in the UK.
Timeline
No travel or booking required.
Risks
Missing the Christmas buying window for equestrian gifts, apparel and equipment.
Book with
Recommended providers
FAQs & glossary
Frequently asked
Glossary
Trust footer
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References
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Publishers
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Date checked
London International Horse Show
Display a free company card at your booth, or share your professional card on the show floor.
