Hall 17 has been the heart of the surf scene at boot Düsseldorf in recent years. Professional action from almost all sectors on the XXL pool, stars to touch and a great atmosphere at the contests. But there was also a certain disillusionment among many visitors in view of the few exhibitors from the surf industry who still came to Düsseldorf with their products. There were hardly any new boards, sails or wings in 2026, and the bargains at the dealers were also few and far between.
Shortly after the end of the trade fair, the news that boot is being reorganised for 2027. Due to construction work and other changes, the surfing area will move to Hall 12 next year and share it with the "World of Paddling" - i.e. canoes, kayaks, etc. "The XXL pool, the skimboard track and the canoe channel will also be there. There will also be a large joint dealer area for surfing and paddling in Hall 12," says the press release.
Container look and attractions also in Hall 12
We asked Andrea Hoeppner, who looks after the surf hall with her marketing agency, what effect the move will have. Will the industrial look with steel containers remain? "Surfing will also retain its cool look in Hall 12," she writes. "It has been very well received at the past two trade fairs and we will be moving it to Hall 12!" The centrepiece of the surf hall, the large action pool, is also set for 2027: "Hall 12 is significantly larger than Hall 17, so there will be enough space for all the necessary attractions. The pool, surf academy and skimboard track will of course be included." Hoeppner promises: "The action on the pool will of course continue to take centre stage. And let's not forget the trial and error for our visitors, which will continue to be given plenty of space and time."
Hoeppner emphasises the importance of the trade fair as a showcase: "With our surfing programme at boot, we want to make the sport appealing to a young audience in particular and present the very low-threshold entry for beginners." Throughout the year, the various surfing disciplines will be present in the canals of the trade fair. young surfers from the trade fair, for example by paying the entry fees promoted.
Call to the brands for boot 2027
And the situation among exhibitors? "From the surveys of our visitors, we can see that they would also like to see greater visibility for the industry at the trade fair. That's why we want to appeal to the industry once again and advise them to exhibit at boot 2027." According to Hoeppner, the trade fair offers an international reach like no other event. They have been in dialogue for many years in order to take the brands' wishes into account when planning. And there will also be "attractive presentation stands next to the sports areas" in the new Hall 12.
We know that representatives from almost all brands visited boot 2026 and used it as a platform for their business."
Andrea Hoeppner concludes: "We know that representatives from almost all brands visited boot 2026 and used it as a platform for their business, because Düsseldorf is a great place to network. However, it would be nice, but also motivating for the project management, if they had their sports equipment with them next time and presented it to the public. Because we are all united by one mammoth project: to make surfing grow again!"
