Photo London will move to Olympia for its eleventh edition, which will take place from 14 to 17 May 2026, with a VIP preview on 13 May. The move follows the fair’s tenth anniversary and signals an intention to extend its reach and influence in the coming decade.
Olympia is in the final stages of a £1.3 billion redevelopment co-designed by Heatherwick Studio and SPPARC. The fourteen-acre site in Kensington is being transformed into a cultural and entertainment district that combines preserved historic architecture with new theatres, performance spaces, hotels and public areas.
Its location places Photo London near leading institutions including the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Design Museum and the Serpentine and remains accessible for international visitors through HeathrThe fair will be staged beneath the historic canopy of Olympia’s National Hall.
The larger venue will allow for expanded gallery presentations, clearer layouts and improved visitor circulation. Additional capacity will support an extended talks programme, screenings and dedicated areas for collectors, VIP guests and partners. Visitors will also benefit from Olympia’s wider offer, which includes a refurbished exhibition space, a new theatre, a 4,000-capacity music venue, two hotels and more than thirty restaurants and bars.
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 added: “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 whilst 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.”