• Navigation
  • Home
  • Search Photos
  • Photographers
  • Special Sale
  • Photo Exhibits
  • Member Dealers
  • Collecting
  • Newsletter
  • Calendar
  • Photo Links

• Home
• Issue #272
• Article

The projected Olympia redevelopment at Dusk.

After its landmark tenth anniversary edition, Photo London is set to begin a new chapter by moving to Olympia in 2026 for its next show. This historic London venue is currently undergoing a £1.3 billion redevelopment co-designed by Heatherwick Studio and SPPARC that is transforming the 14-acre site into a cultural and entertainment destination in the heart of Kensington. Close to some of the capital’s leading cultural institutions such as the V&A, the Design Museum and the Serpentine, and within easy reach of Heathrow Airport, Olympia’s prime location and unique setting make it the perfect partner for Photo London as the fair enters its second decade.

Housed entirely beneath the historic canopy of Olympia’s National Hall, managed by Olympia Events, the new venue offers flexibility to Photo London’s galleries and partners to design spaces that best showcase their artwork and curatorial vision, while enhancing navigation and site lines across the fair. The move also means the fair can offer increased capacity for talks and other events as well as dedicated VIP and collector spaces for the first time. In addition to its totally refurbished state-of-the- art exhibition spaces, the transformed Olympia will also boast a 1,575-seat theatre, 4,000-capacity music venue as well as two hotels and more than 30 restaurants, bars and eateries for visitors to enjoy.

Photo London Founders Michael Benson and Fariba Farshad, said: “Throughout its first decade Photo London has earned a reputation for innovation as the photography art fair of the future, and we are proud to have played our part over the past ten years in contributing to the evolution of Somerset House as a cultural powerhouse for London. Our chapter at Somerset House has been one of shared ambition and creative success, and we thank the team for being such a valued partner. It is within this tradition for innovation and cultural leadership that we have decided to make our new home at Olympia in the heart of Kensington--a destination with an ambitious vision focused on renewed cultural identity. This exciting move places Photo London firmly in the vanguard of one of the most significant cultural developments to take place in London in over a decade. We very much look forward to welcoming visitors to Olympia for the eleventh edition of Photo London in May 2026, which is set to be another powerful celebration of photography in all its forms.”

Photo London Director, Sophie Parker, said: “From outstanding gallery presentations to thought-provoking exhibitions and vibrant conversations, Photo London is the best place to explore the past, present and future of photography. The move to Olympia offers an expanded. platform to showcase photography in a setting that embodies both tradition and modernity. The dramatically enhanced Olympia will be a blaze of activity and excitement from morning to night, and it is exactly this energy and excitement that make it an ideal venue for Photo London’s second decade. Olympia's new cross-cultural profile means we will benefit from increased synergy with other arts, entertainment, and creative businesses, creating opportunities for the development of audiences and ideas while enhancing the fair's appeal to visitors and simplifying our layout to ensure a more unified experience for all participating galleries. We look forward to supporting Olympia in becoming a landmark destination for culture and creativity for both Londoners and visitors from around the world.”

Andy O’Sullivan, CEO of Olympia Events, said: "We're thrilled to welcome Photo London to Olympia as it enters an exciting new chapter. As one of the world’s leading photography fairs, Photo London aligns perfectly with our vision to establish Olympia as a new cultural landmark for the capital, attracting the very best talent across art, culture and creativity. This partnership marks a major milestone in our transformation, and we are proud to be the new home for such a dynamic and globally recognized event. We look forward to working closely with the Photo London team to help shape the next decade of this industry-leading fair within our historic event spaces, against the backdrop of London’s newest cultural destination.”