ICE London has been postponed again, announced Clarion Gaming. The world’s largest casino gaming industry trade show has been moved back and scheduled for 29th June 2021 to 1st July 2021.

The event was originally scheduled to run from 2nd to 4th February 2021, and has already been postponed once to April 2021. However, the organisers have decided to delay the event yet again due to the ongoing issue with COVID19 and international travel, as well as the growing number of cases in the UK.

ICE to wait and see before proceeding

“As a consequence of the ongoing impact of COVID19 and the continuing uncertainty in our markets, the decision to move the world’s leading gaming industry and affiliate events into the summer of 2021 has been necessary and follows close consultation with the international community of stakeholders, many of whom requested more time for both the industry and the world economy to stabilise including an easing of regulations covering international business travel,” said Kate Chambers, Clarion Gaming’s Managing Director.

“This extension provides a number of important advantages compared with April, not least enabling the very best possible space configurations and accessibility at ExCeL London. We believe this is paramount in order to support all of our client’s requirements, whilst underpinning our vision for the 2021 events. As well as the significant logistical benefits, we are also very much aware that it provides additional market recovery time – which we believe will further enhance and support the delivery, outcomes and experiences for all participants.”

Adapting to the COVID19 threat

ICE London 2020, which was held from 4th to 5th February 2020, was one of the last major trade shows for the gaming industry to successfully run before the COVID19 pandemic turned the world upside-down.

Since then, ExCeL London was converted into NHS Nightingale Hospital London, a makeshift COVID19 field hospital under the operation of the National Health Service. On 4th May 2020, it was announced that the hospital would be put on standby, as no new COVID19 patients were expected to be admitted. However, it was recently proposed that the site could be used as a center for administering a COVID19 vaccine when it is ready.