There will be no show in 2024. Instead, the next US Toy Fair will take place in New York from March 1st to March 4th 2025.

Following that, the show will move to a new January slot in New Orleans for 2026, 2027 and 2028. Hosted at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, the confirmed dates are:

January 17th to 20th 2026
January 9th to 12th 2027
January 15th to 18th 2028

“Prior to the pandemic, we heard repeated calls that changing manufacturing lead times and retailer buying patterns demanded a shift of the iconic tradeshow’s timing from February into an earlier fall timeline,” said Aaron Muderick, chairman of The Toy Association and founder of Crazy Aaron’s.

“These factors and similar research findings were accelerated by the pandemic and as a board we were responsive. Now, behaviours and inputs have returned to more traditional views that Toy Fair’s key audiences find the most value in a North American trade event taking place in the first quarter of the year, ideally mid-January. We have again listened and responded by crafting an optimal pattern based on the needs of those we serve.”

Steve Pasierb, President & CEO of The Toy Association, added: “After gathering opinions from key retailers, members/exhibitors of The Toy Association and based on a number of evaluation factors including timing, high-quality space availability, access to transportation, and affordability for exhibitors and attendees, it became clear that New Orleans would be the best fit for the Toy Fair – and best meet the needs of all our diverse guests.

“New Orleans has state of the art facilities including a brand-new airport, renowned restaurants, museums, music, an array of event spaces, and a strong collaborative partnership between the Convention Center, New Orleans & Company, and the business community, making it a perfect, welcoming fit for Toy Fair. We are confident in delivering a high quality, energetic, and seamless Toy Fair experience over the next four shows, in the same way we have been delivering on this promise for more than 100 years.”

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Pokémon was named License of the Year, while Jazwares’ Squishmallows was named overall Toy of the Year.

The other licensed toys to pick up awards were:

Action Figure of the Year: Masters of the Universe: Masterverse (Mattel)
Collectible of the Year: LEGO Minifigures – Marvel (LEGO)
Construction Toy of the Year: LEGO Marvel Spider-Man Daily Bugle (LEGO)
Doll of the Year: Ada Twist Scientist Lab Doll (Just Play)
License of the Year: Pokémon
Outdoor Toy of the Year: Crazy Bunch O Balloons (Zuru)
Playset of the Year: LEGO Star Wars Boba Fett’s Starship (LEGO)
Plush Toy of the Year: Squishmallows (Jazwares)
Preschool Toy of the Year: LEGO Disney Ariel, Belle, Cinderella and Tiana’s Storybook Adventures (LEGO)
Speciality Toy of the Year: LEGO Everyone is Awesome (LEGO)
STEAM Toy of the Year: LEGO Creator 3-in-1 Ferris Wheel (LEGO)
Vehicle of the Year: Playmobil Volkswagen T1 Camping Bus (Playmobil)

“We are thrilled to unveil this year’s much-anticipated TOTY winners, all of which are outstanding examples of the toy community’s talent in designing innovative, magical, and creative playthings for kids and adults alike,” said Pamela Mastrota, executive director of The Toy Foundation.

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Brands Untapped @ Toy Fair NY will highlight multiple creative collaborations between toy companies and high-profile partners spanning apparel, food & drink, hospitality, live events, video games, film & TV and publishing.

The experience-rich, curated area will feature multiple activations designed to showcase toy and game brand extensions, product ranges, and licensed interactions.

An accompanying Brands Untapped conference at the show will host talks and panels delving into the design stories behind the extensions of iconic toy brands into categories like footwear, video games, and even hotel suites.

“The excitement is mounting for Toy Fair New York ’22, as we continue to build out our slate of engaging activities at the show and unveil unique business and educational opportunities for the global play community!” said Marian Bossard, executive vice president of global market events at The Toy Association.

“Our partnership with Mojo Nation to bring Brands Untapped to the show floor is the culmination of months of discussions and planning as we aim to position Toy Fair New York for future expansion. We expect it to further elevate the contemporary energy of the marketplace and solidify Toy Fair New York’s position as the place to scout the hottest trends in toys, play, and licensing!”

Billy Langsworthy, co-founder of Mojo Nation, added: “We’re delighted to celebrate the toy industry’s brand licensing community, highlighting the ingenious ways that iconic play brands have successfully made the leap into diverse sectors.

“The experience-led Brands Untapped area is set to be a fun, engaging means of showing off the power of toy and game IP – and the creativity these brands fuel in partners from other industries.”

Brands Untapped @ Toy Fair NY marks the first in several upcoming collaborations between Mojo Nation and The Toy Association.

Companies interested in showcasing brand extensions at Brands Untapped @ Toy Fair NY can contact Billy Langsworthy at Billy@Mojo-Nation.com.

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Elsewere, Hasbro’s Star Wars: The Child Animatronic Edition Toy was named Toy of the Year, LEGO Super Mario Character Packs won Collectible of the Year and Playmobil’s Back to the Future DeLoran picked up Vehicle of the Year.

The full list of TOTY award winners can be found below:

Toy of the Year: Star Wars: The Child Animatronic Edition Toy (Hasbro)
People’s Choice: Story Time (Chess) / The Original Spawn Action Figure and Comic Remastered (2020) (McFarlane Toys)
Action Figure of the Year: Fisher-Price #ThankYouHeroes Line (Mattel)
Collectible of the Year: LEGO Super Mario Character Packs (LEGO)
Construction Toy of the Year: LEGO Star Wars The Razor Crest (LEGO)
Creative Toy of the Year: Crayola Colors of the World Crayons (Crayola LLC)
Doll of the Year: Barbie Color Reveal (Mattel)
Game of the Year: Pokémon Trading Card Game Battle Academy (The Pokémon Company International)
Infant/Toddler Toy of the Year: Fisher-Price Laugh & Learn Grow-the-Fun Garden to Kitchen (Mattel)
Innovative Toy of the Year: Star Wars: The Child Animatronic Edition Toy (Hasbro)
License of the Year: Star Wars: The Mandalorian (Disney)
Outdoor Toy of the Year: Ultimate Go-Kart (Radio Flyer)
Playset of the Year: LEGO Super Mario Bowser’s Castle Boss Battle Expansion Set (LEGO)
Plush Toy of the Year: Star Wars: The Mandalorian The Child 11″ Plush (Mattel)
Preschool Toy of the Year: PAW Patrol Dino Patroller (Spin Master)
Specialty Toy of the Year: LEGO Ideas Grand Piano (LEGO)
STEAM Toy of the Year: Mega Cyborg Hand (Thames & Kosmos)
Vehicle of the Year: PLAYMOBIL Back To The Future DeLorean (PLAYMOBIL)

“From 117 outstanding finalists to this year’s TOTY winners, to Hasbro’s Toy of the Year Award and two unique People’s Choice winners, each underscores the joy of play in uncertain times, the togetherness of family game night, as well as the swiftly-evolving retail and e-commerce landscape,” said Steve Pasierb, president and CEO of The Toy Association.

“The TOTYs continue to reflect the toy and play community’s passion and perseverance, all while honouring the richly deserving Hall of Fame inductees. It also raises vital funding for The Toy Foundation as it embarks on impactful new programs supporting children’s hospitals and driving diversity, equity, inclusion, and access in the toy industry. We thank the independent expert judging panels and the tens of thousands of individuals who voted this year!”

During the event, four toy industry visionaries were officially inducted into the esteemed Toy Industry Hall of Fame: Philip Bloom, founder & former publisher of The Bloom Report; William C. Killgallon, chairman of the board at The Ohio Art Company; Pleasant T. Rowland, founder of American Girl, a division of Mattel, Inc.; and the late Margarete Steiff, founder & creator of Steiff.

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