Toy Fair on the Move: NYC to NOLA

The Toy Association Board of Directors have annouced that the North American International Toy Fair will move the annual event from New York City to New Orleans in 2026, 2027 and 2028. Those Toy Fair's will take place on January 17-20, 2026; January 9-12, 2027; and January 15-18, 2027 in the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention.

Toy FairPhoto bydwp.com

The four-day trade show which has taken place in New York Cty for over 118 years welcomes thousands of inventors, designers, licensors, importers, distributors, buyers, and media from around the world to explore the equivalent of nearly eight football fields filled with toys and games. More than 1,000 toymakers of all sizes are in attendance to showcase the hottest new toys, games, and youth entertainment products.

The Toy Association leads the health and growth of the U.S. toy industry, which has an annual U.S. economic impact of $98.6 billion, and represents hundreds of companies including manufacturers, retailers, licensors, and others who are involved in the youth entertainment industry. Its manufacturing members account for 93% of U.S. toy and game sales driving the annual $38.2 billion U.S. domestic toy market.

Photo bybrotherbrick.com

Aaron Muderick, chairman of The Toy Association and founder of Crazy Aaron said of the change, “Prior to the pandemic, we heard repeated calls that changing manufacturing lead times and retailer buying patterns demanded a shift of the iconic tradeshow’s timing from February into an earlier fall timeline. These factors and similar research findings were accelerated by the pandemic and as a board we were responsive. Now, behaviors and inputs have returned to more traditional views that Toy Fair’s key audiences find the most value in a North American trade event taking place in the first quarter of the year, ideally mid-January. We have again listened and responded by crafting an optimal pattern based on the needs of those we serve.”