Show Info
Meet an audience of over 10,000 equine-loving consumers
The National Equine Show will take place on 1-2 March 2025 at The NEC. It offers a great shopping-focused day out with interactive features, community meet-ups, and inspiring presentations from experts and equine stars. At the heart of the event are two education theatres packed with inspiration for new and existing equestrians to learn and try new things, with horse and rider inclusion, health, and wellbeing at its core.
About the event
Opening times / location
The show will take place at the NEC Birmingham, B40 1NT. Opening times will be: 9am – 5pm on Saturday 1st and 9am – 4pm Sunday 2nd March 2025.
How do I book a stand / find out about exhibiting?
You can speak directly to our Event Director Liz Ormesher who would be happy to discuss opportunities to get involved in the Show – she can be reached at [email protected]. You can also find out more information here Get Involved – National Equine Show
Are there any jobs available?
Not currently but please contact [email protected] and we will pass your query on.
If you are interested in speaking at the event we would love to hear from you – please contact [email protected]
How are you working to reduce the carbon footprint at the show?
From working with the venue, looking at ourselves and collaborating with exhibitors. But here’s the thing… Visitors’ travel is the biggest carbon emitter of each show. So we need your help. Taking the train instead of driving will reduce the emissions of your journey by around 80%. The NEC is a 5-minute walk from Birmingham International train station or 90 seconds by the free air-rail walk. If you need to drive, car share with friends and reduce your impact by 50%. There’s a great network of cycle and footpaths in the area and bike racks are near the entrance. There are also electric car charging point and more to come in the future…
Is there a cloakroom?
The NEC has a cloakroom before you enter the Show. Visitors with a VIP Ticket will have access to a VIP Cloakroom in the VIP Lounge.
Do I need to book to see a speaker?
No need to book, our speaker program is included as part of your ticket and seats are available on a first-come-first-served basis.
Will there be food stalls?
Yes, there will be a number of NEC-managed food stalls, and some of our exhibitors will sell packaged food items too.
Will I need ID?
We do not require ID to gain entry to the Show.
My question isn’t here
If you still have a question, please email us on [email protected]
Tickets
General admission tickets
These tickets will be available to purchase when the box office launches on 5th September and will include:
1x entry ticket including all stage sessions, show features and shopping areas
Opportunity to queue for general admission meet & greet sessions (due to high demand, meet & greets cannot be guaranteed for a general admission ticket and the queue may be cut at any time)
Meet & Greet Guaranteed Access tickets
These tickets will be available to purchase when the box office launches on 5th September and will include:
1x entry ticket including all stage sessions, show features and shopping areas
Limited (150 per day) tickets available, providing shorter queueing time before your meet & greet
4x guaranteed meet & greet sessions taking place on the day of your booking
Saturday lineup: This Esme, Megan Elphick, Yasmin Ingham, and Sam Dracott
Sunday lineup: This Esme, Megan Elphick, Carl Hester and Sam Dracott
Carer Tickets
As accessible positions at venues are usually limited, we need to ensure that tickets reach the people that need them.
To help us ensure that these tickets are made available to those with these genuine needs, at checkout you will be ask you to upload a copy of one of the following:
– Copy of DLA, PIP or Adult Disability Payment entitlement letter
– Evidence of registered severely sight impaired (blind)
– CredAbility Access Card (with +1 icon)
– Copy of Attendance Allowance letter
– Recognised Assistance Dog ID card
– A current and valid blue badge
– Any other relevant documentation *
Can I purchase a pass to the Equine Lounge?
We have decided not to charge for VIP tickets this year, keeping the area exclusive to speakers, ambassadors and press, providing a moment of respite from the busy show floor. Access to the Equine Lounge is by invitation only, if you are a member of the press please email [email protected].
When will I get my ticket?
Tickets will be sent out a week before the event, bring your ticket along to the show either printed or on your mobile.
I haven’t received my tickets / I have lost my ticket / I want to amend my booking
The team at See Tickets would be happy to help you with any ticket enquiries here: https://nationalequine.seetickets.com/customerservice
Meet & greets
What is the difference between Guaranteed Access and General Admission M&G?
A Guaranteed Access Meet & Greet ticket will offer you access to 4 limited M&G sessions. This ticket type is the only way to ensure you reach the front of the queue at these M&Gs, as general admission sessions may be cut short due to demand and scheduling.
Celebrities participating in the Guaranteed Access Meet & Greet Saturday pass will be: This Esme, Megan Elphick, Sam Dracott, and Yasmin Ingham.
Sunday’s line-up consists of: This Esme, Megan Elphick, Sam Dracott, and Carl Hester
Not all the guests in this year’s speaker line-up will be running Meet & Greet sessions for general admission ticket holders. The general admission Meet & Greet agenda will be announced in due course once guests can confirm their availability. We expect any general admission queues to be very busy, meaning some queue members will not reach the front before the time we have with the speaker runs out.
What does the Guaranteed Access Pass get me?
1x entry ticket including all stage sessions, show features and shopping areas
Limited tickets available, providing shorter queueing time before your meet & greet
4x guaranteed meet & greet sessions taking place on the day of your booking
How long will I get with the Equestrian Star?
With a Guaranteed Access Pass, you’ll be able to, snap a photo, get a signing (if the guest is happy to), and ask a question or two.
General admission ticket holders may also get a chance to get a signing or take a selfie but due to the availability of Equine Stars, some sessions may be cut short. To ensure as many people as possible have an opportunity to make it to the front of the line, we may limit busy sessions to just a photo.
How long will I queue?
The queue for Guaranteed Access Pass holders will last from 5 minutes – 1 hour depending on the time you arrive and your place in the queue.
Queues for General Admission ticket holders could last for up to 2 hours and can be cut at any time. Entering the queue does not secure your opportunity to meet the Equestrian Star.
What if I am late and miss one of the Meet & Greet sessions?
If you miss your designated time slot for a Meet & Greet session, you will not be able to meet the guest.
Can I pay less and meet one Equestrian Star?
The only Meet & Greet package you can purchase for the National Equine Show is £40 and offers the opportinity to meet four people.
Do I need a separate ticket to queue with my child?
If you wish to book a Guaranteed Access pass for your child, one parent/guardian will be permitted to join the queue, but will not be able to participate in the Meet & Greet session.
Getting there
How do I get to the NEC and what facilities are available?
- HOW TO GET TO THE NEC
- PARKING AT THE NEC – Parking can be booked directly through the NEC website – you can save £4 by booking in advance
- VENUE FACILITIES
What time can I arrive?
We allow entry to the hall any time during the day between 09:00 and 17:00 on Saturday and 09:00 and 16:00 on Sunday. Arrive before 9am on each day for a chance to be handed exclusive show gifts in the queue.
Where can I stay nearby?
We’ve officially partnered with EventBeds™ by NuBreed Hotels to give this year’s exhibitors and attendees access to exclusive discounts at carefully selected properties near the event.
Save up to 30% versus booking direct, and fully flexible rates are available.
Due to increasing demand we recommend you book asap through the EventBeds™ booking widget below
How can I travel sustainably to the show?
When planning your travel please consider your carbon footprint:
- Travel on public transport or actively where possible (nearest train line is Birmingham International which brings you straight into the NEC) – save ££ by booking train/coach tickets in advance
- If travelling by car then we encourage car sharing with others you know and/or potentially using car sharing apps like liftshare.com or blablacar.com – save ££ when you book NEC car park tickets in advance
- Combine 1 and 2 – have you thought about connecting with local public transport and bike hire schemes – see tfwm.org.uk for bike hire and park and ride options
- Carbon offsetting your travel – we are encouraging all visitors to donate £2 to offset their carbon footprint on travelling to the show
Accessibility
I’m in a wheelchair, is the venue accessible?
Yes, the venue is accessible for people with different needs. You can find out more information here: Disabled Visitors to the NEC | The NEC Birmingham but can also contact [email protected] to discuss how we can make the show as accessible as possible.
Will you have a quiet space available?
We will have a small area reserved should a visitor need a few moments away from the show floor – to find out more about this or speak to the team contact [email protected]
Can I bring my pet?
Only support animals are allowed inside the Hall.