The Toy Association has reversed its decision to move Toy Fair to New Orleans starting in January 2026 after receiving negative feedback from industry professionals.
“As a board, we have heard clearly that this change was the wrong choice for our members,” said Toy Association chairperson Aaron Muderick in a statement. “While we aimed to adapt to the perceived shifts in our industry, the announcement of that change was met with strong feelings of tradition and enduring memories of toy business conducted in New York.”
Manhattan’s Javits Center was already set to host Toy Fair in March 2025, and now that the Toy Association has committed to keeping the event in New York, the org is working with the venue for February dates in 2026, 2027 and 2028.
However, this leaves next year without a Toy Fair location, as Javits is unavailable in 2024. To tide the industry over until 2025, The Toy Association is exploring possible new events to be held in Los Angeles next August and September. That summer/fall timing fits into the schedules of toycos like Mattel and Jazwares, which already showcase previews of upcoming toy lines in early fall.