ExCeL London

We went to an event for London marathon runners, and it made for a fun day out. The Excel is easy to reach on the Elizabeth line: come upstairs from the platform, pass through the barriers, turn left, walk past the restaurants and bars, and the entrance is on the left. Inside, it's grand and there are lots of food vendors. New Balance stood out. They had impressive displays, plenty of staff helping with stock and at the tills, and checkout was wonderfully organised. It felt a bit like passport control at an airport, but we were guided through easily. Lots of tills were open, and staff used small hand paddles to show they were ready to help. At the exit, it was lovely to see the London marathon medals from over the years.

The venue was great and easy to access, with staff there to guide you from the train platform. The direct train was handy too. One thing to keep in mind: start lunch early or bring something along, or you'll miss some of the event.

I went to two events at ExCeL London and enjoyed both visits. The DLR makes getting there easy and connects smoothly with the rest of London. There are cafés, restaurants, hotels, and open space nearby, so it's pleasant to spend a whole day there. It's a comfortable, very spacious venue, and everything was well organised for large exhibitions. Modern and efficient, it does the job well.

The food outlets on the main concourse are the big downside for me. Prices are well above standard London rates, and national franchises that accept loyalty or discount cards elsewhere in the UK, even half a mile down the road, have a blanket no-card policy inside the venue. When I asked about it, I got a cold, dismissive response with no understanding or sympathy. It feels as if they know visitors have nowhere else to go, so there's no need to offer basic service or honour loyalty built up with the brand. Be ready for a corporate, take-it-or-leave-it attitude from the food vendors. That frustration is a shame, because ExCeL is a brilliant events venue. I've visited several times in 2025, both as part of an organiser team and as an attendee at events like Hyrox and Dragonmeet. The 2025 expansion improved the flow, the venue is kept very clean, the Elizabeth Line makes it easy to reach, and the event staff are professional. Technically and logistically, it's a world-class site. But the food and drink experience feels exploitative and lacking in human touch, which is why I'm giving it four stars.