Berlin, January 2026: Schmidt Spiele can look back on a successful financial year. With a total turnover of 61.5 million euros, the Berlin-based publisher was able to increase its turnover by around eight percent compared to the previous year and thus further consolidate its market position.
"The growth across all product ranges confirms both our strategic orientation and the strength of our brands and products," says Axel Kaldenhoven, Managing Director of Schmidt Spiele GmbH. "Classics, strong license themes and innovative new products interlock perfectly and form the basis of our success. The positive market performance is primarily due to the great commitment of our entire team, who work passionately every day to maintain our brands, further develop and optimize our range, successfully bring them to market and ultimately to consumers."
Positive figures across all product ranges
The jigsaw puzzles segment grew at an above-average rate, increasing by 19%. The main reasons for this development were the successful motifs by artist Thomas Kinkade and the further expansion of the grass puzzle segment, which met with a great response from both specialist retailers and end consumers. The core area of children's and family games also proved to be a key growth driver in 2025, recording an increase of six percent. The strong brand classics "Mensch ärgere Dich nicht®" and "Kniffel®", as well as the popular titles from the "Klein & Fein" series, made a particular contribution to this result. In addition, "Topp die Torte", which was named "Children's Game of the Year 2025", achieved pleasing sales figures. The plush and toys segment at Schmidt Spiele grew just as strongly as the children's and family games, with sales also increasing by six percent. Strong license themes, including products based on the Universal characters and "Die Sendung mit der Maus", generated a high level of attention and willingness to buy across all generations.
Events and trade fairs with high appeal
A central component of the brand presence and the successful launch of new products are the diverse events that Schmidt Spiele either initiates itself or implements together with strong partners. In addition, there are numerous public and trade fairs at which the company presents itself and seeks direct exchange. With its own championships in the classics "Mensch ärgere Dich nicht®" and "Kniffel®", the publisher set specific highlights last year and put its traditional brands in the spotlight. In addition, Schmidt Spiele generated cross-generational enthusiasm for its products at children's festivals and games events. The puzzle segment was also recently strengthened in a targeted manner: since last year, the publisher has dedicated a separate format to this segment - the PUZZLE MASTERS in Berlin. Other important touchpoints were events such as SPIEL DOCH! Dortmund, Brettspiel Con Berlin, SPIEL Essen, Hobbymesse Leipzig and SPIELidee Rostock, where Schmidt Spiele not only made contact with consumers, but also maintained an exchange with partners and game designers and continuously expanded its network. The trade fair and event appearance was rounded off by the Spielwarenmesse® Nuremberg at the beginning of 2025, where relationships with retail partners in particular were further deepened and strategically strengthened.
Outlook for 2026
Schmidt Spiele is starting the year with numerous new products, including the new "My ArtNOBLE®" series, a premium coloring set with motifs by Thomas Kinkade. These will be presented at the Spielwarenmesse® Nuremberg 2026. Schmidt Spiele is also seamlessly following on from the previous year in the event sector: The first official Franconian championship in "Mensch ärgere Dich nicht®", the German championship in "Mensch ärgere Dich nicht®", the Chemnitz Game Days and the 3rd Saxony-Anhalt state championship in "Mensch ärgere Dich nicht®" will take place in January. This will be followed by numerous other events and trade fairs as well as exciting new products, particularly in the licensing sector - including the strong "Bibi & Tina" brand, which is celebrating its 35th anniversary, "Avatar - The Lord of the Elements", "Paw Patrol" and the second Bibi Blocksberg movie.
About Schmidt Spiele
The Schmidt Spiele publishing house is one of the best-known German game manufacturers. It comprises the brands Schmidt Spiele® for puzzles, plush, children's, family and adult games, Drei Magier®, which stands for sophisticated children's games, and Selecta® in the wooden toy segment. The foundation stone for the Schmidt Spiele® brand and the traditional company was laid in 1907 by Josef Friedrich Schmidt with the invention of the board game Mensch ärgere Dich nicht®. Other classics are Kniffel® and Ligretto®. The portfolio also includes numerous award-winning children's, family and connoisseur games. in 1997, Schmidt Spiele® was taken over by Good Time Holding GmbH, headquartered in Berlin.
Further information: www.schmidtspiele.de
Press contact
BISS PR & Communications GmbH & Co KG, Kronprinzendamm 20, 10711 Berlin, phone: +49 30809333100
E-mail: schmidtspiele@biss-pr.de, Internet: www.biss-pr.de