SPIEL Essen 2026

Legend Story Studios is excited to announce the opening of the SPIEL Essen 2026 weekend staff applications!

This is your chance to join the team as a judge. Applications will close on Monday 20 July 2026, 23:59 (anywhere worldwide). A selection will be made and communicated by Friday 25th of July (this deadline has changed; we apologize for the delay)

EVENT INFORMATION

Dates: 22 - 25 October 2026
Venue: Messe Essen, Messepl. 1, 45131 Essen, Germany

SPIEL Essen weekend will feature Learn 2 Play Demos

ROLES AND EXPECTATIONS

We are looking for judges to help with the event in the following role, the description is only a broad overview to give you an idea of the role.

• Learn 2 Play Judge
  • Your focus will be to teach groups of players Flesh and Blood in a casual setting at our event booth.
  • Learn 2 Play - Basic certification is required for this.
  • Please have a read to the Learn 2 Play articles for better outlines of what to expect.
    
    
• Judge Lead (Level 2)
  • Your focus will be managing the Learn 2 Play team for the event, including their breaks and rotations at the Learn 2 Play stations as well as helping improve their demos. 
  • Learn 2 Play - Basic certification is required for this; Advanced is preferred.
  • You will also help out with Learn 2 Play yourself.
  • Your shift time will be from shortly before opening until shortly after close, Sunday incl. tear down.
  • This role has some minor pre-event planning. 
• Wednesday Setup
  • You will assist in setting up the Learn 2 Play booth as well as the shop area.
  • This includes handling the event structure frames as well as heavier boxes. 
  • Closed-toe shoes and appropriate attire are required for this role.
  • Shift start for this is at noon (12:00).

The outline of role and responsibilities above are an estimate of our staffing requirements for the event.
Please note that these are subject to change and may be adjusted based on our final staff selection for the event.

GENERAL EXPECTATIONS

Staff of this show will be direct brand ambassadors for the game and should act accordingly. This means presenting themselves professionally as well as delivering great customer service for all attendees. Additionally, here are some general expectations:

• Shift times
• Your shifts each day can be in a window of roughly 9:30 – 19:30
• Shift lengths will be around 10–11 hours, with a 60 minutes lunch break and at least one additional 30-minute break.
• Please be aware that if you are not available for the time frame above, you need to mention that in the application; it may reduce your chance of being staffed.
• You are required to be ready to work your shift at your current call time, this means being on-time, in uniform, and ready to listen to your briefing.
• Please be aware that the Sunday shift will be assisting with booth and area tear down. This will include dismantling the booth, helping organize leftover product, and other similar work.
  
  
• Judge attire
• Judges are expected to arrive on time and in appropriate attire. 
• Predominantly black pants, or similar, and predominantly black shoes. 
• Staff shirts will be provided for this event. Please bring one yellow shirt as backup.
• Please avoid attire featuring brands of other TCGs.

• Staff communication
• We also expect every staff member of the event to update themselves on information posted in the staff forum/staff Discord to be aware of general information as well as their roles and responsibilities.
  
  
• Selling, buying and trading
• Staff are not allowed to sell or buy any items in or near the event booth. 

STAFF COMPENSATION

The daily rates for being staffed on this show are

Learn 2 Play - Judge: 350€
Judge Lead - 450€
Setup - 175€

Regardless of the number of days worked, staff will receive one (1) display box of the current set.

Travel and hotel arrangements and payments need to be made by each staff member independently.

Staff will need to invoice to receive their compensation. 

STAFF RECOGNITION

All staff members, regardless of the number of days worked and their role, will receive promotional items for the event.
This promotional gift is an expression of appreciation for the contributions of all staff working at this event. These items should not be considered part of, or in lieu of, your staff compensation for the event.

Additionally, all staff members who are Certified Level 1 or above with the Judge Program will receive a selection of judge-specific promotional items.

A staff celebration will happen on one of the event weekend evenings. 
The exact details of the staff celebration will be confirmed and communicated closer to the event.