What UK Businesses Need To Know Before You Book
ExCeL London is the largest exhibition centre in London. Sitting on 100 acres in the Royal Docks, it hosts more than 400 events a year, from DSEI and the London Boat Show to The Business Show and other leading UK exhibitions.
If you are planning to exhibit there for the first time, the scale alone can feel overwhelming. ExCeL is a purpose-built campus with multiple exhibition halls, two hotels, an onsite DLR station, a road through the middle of it, and enough loading bays to handle dozens of concurrent builds.
This guide covers what UK businesses need to know before they commit: the hall layout, what the build process involves, the costs to budget for, and the practical details that catch exhibitors out.
The Hall Layout: North Versus South
ExCeL divides into two main exhibition halls: the North Hall and the South Hall. They are connected by a central boulevard called The Street, which runs east to west through the centre of the venue and contains restaurants, cafes, and the ICC convention centre.
North Hall
The North Hall is split into six zones: N1 through to N6. Total floor space is approximately 45,000 sq m. Ceiling height in the main body of the hall is around 10 metres, which is enough for double-decker stands and high-structure builds.
Shows that use the North Hall include many of the trade and consumer exhibitions, like The Business Show. The North Hall has direct access from the DLR (Prince Regent station is the closest) and from the Western Road loading docks.
South Hall
The South Hall runs S1 through S8, though not all zones are always used for every event. It is the larger of the two halls at around 55,000 sq m, and handles some of the biggest events ExCeL hosts. DSEI, the London Boat Show, and the Speciality and Fine Food Fair all take place in the South Hall.
The South Hall connects to the Custom House DLR station and has its own set of loading docks to the south of the building.
Which Hall Are You In?
When you receive your stand space allocation from the event organiser, it will include a stand number that references the zone, for example “N300” means North Hall, zone 3. The event organiser’s exhibitor manual will include a floor plan.
Where you are in the hall affects which loading dock you use and how long the travel time is for your crew from the van to the stand.
The Build Process At ExCeL
Move-in
ExCeL operates a managed move-in system. You will be allocated a specific move-in slot by the event organiser, not by ExCeL directly. These slots are usually assigned in the exhibitor manual and are first-come on large shows, so submit your logistics form early.
Key practicalities:
- Voyage Control: ExCeL uses Voyage Control as its freight and vehicle management platform. Your event organiser will send a link to register your vehicles through Voyage Control before the show. You will need your vehicle registration, estimated arrival time, and the weight/dimensions of your load. Registration is mandatory and unregistered vehicles are turned away at the gate!
- Vehicles: Once registered through Voyage Control, all build vehicles are slotted into the loading dock schedule. Turning up without a slot means you go to the back of the queue, which on busy build days can mean waiting hours.
- Passes: Crew members require contractor passes, issued by the event organiser. You will need to register each person in advance. Same-day registration is usually possible but adds friction.
- CDM requirements: The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 apply to all exhibition stand construction work. Separately, most show organisers require a risk assessment and method statement for stands over 30 sq m or with structural elements above 2.5 metres your exhibitor manual will state the specific threshold. ExCeL’s security team checks documentation at the dock before allowing materials through. Read the UK Exhibition Stand Regulations post for the full breakdown.
- Waste management: Most ExCeL exhibitor manuals require a waste management statement confirming how you will dispose of stand materials, packaging, and build waste. This is a compliance requirement and is not optional. Arrange skip or collection in advance. Waste left in the loading dock is charged to the exhibitor.
- Rigging: Rigging from ExCeL’s roof structure is subject to ExCeL’s own approved rigging contractor list. If your stand design requires overhead branding or suspended elements, you cannot use your own contractors for the rigging itself. Budget this separately; ExCeL rigging rates are quoted per point.
Build Days
Most large shows allocate two to three build days before the event opens. Single-day builds are possible for smaller shell scheme or modular stands. Your event organiser will specify what is possible.
During build days, catering is available on The Street and from temporary catering units near the loading areas. ExCeL operates a tool store where you can collect basic tools, which is useful if something has been left behind.
Ceiling heights and stand restrictions:
The standard height restriction for space-only stands in the main hall is 6 metres, rising to the full ceiling height (around 10 metres) for approved structures with engineering sign-off. Shell scheme stands are capped lower usually 2.5 metres to the top of the panel. Check your event’s specific regulations; they vary by show.
Move-out (Breakdown)
Breakdown begins as soon as the show closes on the final day. ExCeL enforces a hard-out time, typically around midnight or the morning of the day after the show closes. Late removal of materials incurs fees from the event organiser, not from ExCeL directly, but ExCeL security will enforce access cut-off.
Build your breakdown plan into your timeline before the show, not after.
Getting Your Team And Stand To ExCeL
By Road
ExCeL is accessed via the A1020 (Royal Albert Way) from the north and the A13 from the west. For build vehicles:
- Western Dock: Serves primarily the North Hall. Access from Haul Road off Royal Albert Way.
- Eastern Dock: Serves primarily the South Hall. Access from the southern side of the site.
If you are driving a van or lorry for the first time, allow at least 30 minutes more than you think you need. The approach roads can back up significantly on the first build day of a major show.
For parking for your build crew (not freight vehicles), ExCeL has on-site car parks. See the ExCeL London Parking Guide for current rates, pre-booking advice, and alternatives nearby costs add up over a three-day build.
By Public Transport
ExCeL has two DLR stations:
- Custom House (for South Hall and The Street): Served by the Elizabeth Line as well as the DLR.
- Prince Regent (for North Hall): DLR only.
For a UK-based build team bringing hand tools or small components, the DLR is faster than driving during rush hour. For teams bringing large materials, it is road only.
London City Airport is a 10-minute DLR ride from Custom House useful if part of your team is flying in from elsewhere in the UK or internationally.
Costs To Budget For At ExCeL
The stand space itself the floor area you rent from the event organiser is the largest single cost, but it is not the only one. Costs that catch out first-time ExCeL exhibitors include:
| Cost item | Notes |
|---|---|
| Stand space | Per sq m rate set by the event organiser, not ExCeL |
| Shell scheme (if not space-only) | Usually quoted per sq m or as a package |
| Rigging points | If overhead branding required ExCeL approved contractors only |
| Contractor passes | Typically included up to a number; extras charged |
| Electricity connection | Usually included as a basic supply; heavy-draw equipment may need upgraded supply |
| Freight handling | If using ExCeL’s official freight partner rather than self-unloading |
| Parking | Build crew over multiple days – adds up quickly |
| Cleaning | ExCeL requires you to leave your stand area clean; some events provide shell-scheme cleaning in the package |
For a worked example of what a mid-sized stand at an ExCeL show actually costs, see the Cost of Exhibiting in London guide.
Working With ExCeL Directly Versus Through The Event Organiser
A common source of confusion for first-time exhibitors: almost everything at ExCeL is handled through the event organiser, not ExCeL’s own team.
The event organiser handles:
- Stand space allocation
- Contractor passes and move-in scheduling
- Exhibitor manuals and technical requirements
- Furniture, electrics, and shell scheme packages
- Cleaning
- Waste disposal
ExCeL handles:
- The building itself (maintenance, security, Wi-Fi infrastructure)
- Catering (operated by Levy UK under exclusive contract)
- Rigging (via approved contractors)
- Car parks
If you have a question about your stand allocation, your pass, or your move-in time, the answer is in the exhibitor manual or with the event organiser’s exhibitor services team.
If you need to report a building maintenance issue during the show, that goes to ExCeL’s on-site team.
What ExCeL Does Well And Where To Plan Around It
Strengths For Exhibitors:
- Scale means ExCeL attracts the largest UK shows; the footfall quality is high.
- On-site DLR makes visitor access easy from central London and Canary Wharf.
- Two hotels on-site (Aloft and Novotel) if your team needs to stay close.
- Mature logistics infrastructure; loading docks, rigging points, freight management are all well-organised. compared to older venues like Olympia.
Where To Plan Ahead:
- Wi-Fi cost: ExCeL’s event Wi-Fi is operated through the show organiser and is typically not cheap. If you need reliable broadband for a product demo, check the exhibitor manual for options and costs early. Budget for a 4G/5G backup if connectivity is critical.
- Catering exclusivity: You cannot bring your own catering equipment or operate your own branded coffee service without written permission from ExCeL’s catering partner. Branded packaging, pre-packaged sweets and promotional confectionery are usually fine. Check your event’s specific rules.
- The walk: ExCeL is large. A visitor entering from Custom House in the east and walking to the far end of the North Hall may walk 15–20 minutes before leaving. If you are in a quieter area of the hall, footfall patterns matter! Ask the event organiser for the traffic flow data from previous years when negotiating stand position.
Planning Your Stand At ExCeL
Booth Exhibits™ has designed and built exhibition stands at ExCeL across a wide range of shows. We also work at venues across the UK, including the NEC Birmingham, Olympia, and SEC Glasgow. Whether you need a modular stand that can be reconfigured for multiple events in a year, or a full custom build for a flagship appearance, we can handle design, build, and on-site management.
If you are looking for ideas before briefing us, the exhibition stand ideas guide is a useful starting point.
To discuss a specific show at ExCeL, contact the Booth Exhibits™ team or see our London exhibition stand design and build service or our UK exhibition stand services.
Quick Reference
| North Hall zones | N1 – N6 |
| South Hall zones | S1 – S8 |
| Nearest DLR (North Hall) | Prince Regent |
| Nearest DLR (South Hall / Street) | Custom House (also Elizabeth Line) |
| Standard stand height limit | 6 m (structures above require engineering sign-off) |
| Shell scheme height | Usually 2.5 m (event-specific) |
| Rigging | ExCeL approved contractors only |
| CDM | Applies to all stand construction; R&MS typically required at 30 sq m+ (check exhibitor manual) |
