Photo London, the UK's leading photography fair, is relocating from Somerset House to the newly renovated Olympia in west London starting with its 11th edition in May 2026. The move follows a decade at Somerset House and coincides with Olympia's £1.3bn redevelopment co-designed by Heatherwick Studio and SPPARC. Director Sophie Parker cited feedback from galleries and collectors requesting a more flexible, cohesive space, while co-founder Michael Benson called the relocation a 'thrillingly adventurous reimagining' of the fair's future.
The relocation positions Photo London to compete more directly with its main European rival, Paris Photo, which recently returned to the restored Grand Palais. Olympia's proximity to the Design Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum, and Heathrow airport offers logistical advantages, and the new National Hall venue promises enhanced sightlines, greater navigability, and expanded VIP and collector lounges. The move underscores the growing importance of purpose-built fair infrastructure in the competitive art market landscape.