Coffee, lemonade, candies, virtual reality, and even a ladder game. Between the scientific sessions and networking meetings at ESMO Congress 2026, the exhibition hall has plenty to offer those looking for a well-deserved break.
Five days of oncology discussions, late-breaking research, educational sessions, and meetings can make for a demanding schedule. And while the scientific programme remains the heart of ESMO Congress 2026, taking place from October 23–27 in Madrid, some of the most enjoyable moments may happen between sessions.
The exhibition hall is not only a place to discover new therapies and technologies. It is also where colleagues catch up over coffee, conversations continue beyond the lecture rooms, and exhibitors find creative ways to welcome visitors.
From the first espresso of the morning to an afternoon lemonade or a quick game, OncoDaily has put together a guide to some of the booths worth exploring during your congress breaks.
The ESMO Coffee Trail: One Congress, Plenty of Espresso
Let’s start with the obvious: coffee. For many congress attendees, it is as essential as a fully charged phone and a carefully planned scientific schedule.
Fortunately, there is no shortage of places to find a cup at ESMO 2026.
AstraZeneca and MSD are among the exhibitors welcoming visitors with dedicated coffee stations. Both offer convenient stops for attendees moving between sessions, whether for a quick caffeine boost or a conversation with colleagues.
The coffee trail continues at BeOne Medicines and Pierre Fabre Laboratories, where visitors can also enjoy a cup while exploring the exhibition area.
Takeda and Ipsen add to the selection, along with Revolution Medicines, giving attendees several opportunities to fit a coffee break into an already busy day.
And the options certainly do not end there.
AbbVie and Daiichi Sankyo have coffee offerings, while Pfizer and Bristol Myers Squibb (BMS) provide further stops for those looking to recharge before heading back to the scientific programme.
Visitors can also find coffee at Sanofi, GSK, and PharmaMar, making it easy to turn a short walk through the exhibition hall into a much-needed break.
For attendees exploring the therapy-focused displays, ELAHERE and ORSERDU also have coffee offerings.
With so many stations available, finding coffee might be one of the easiest tasks on the congress agenda. Choosing where to have the next cup could be considerably harder.
A Little Sugar Goes a Long Way
After several hours of presentations, another espresso may not always be the answer. Sometimes, a small sweet treat is enough to make the afternoon a little better.
Jazz Pharmaceuticals is one of the places to visit for candies. It is a simple but welcome addition to a congress day, especially when there is barely enough time between sessions to find a proper snack.
For those who prefer something sweet, Intelli Central is another stop worth remembering, with sweets available for visitors.
Neither requires a lengthy break. A quick stop, a sweet treat, and it is back to the next session.
Had Enough Coffee? Follow the Lemonade
There comes a point during a long congress day when even the most dedicated coffee drinker starts looking for something different.
That is where NovoCure comes in.
With lemonade available at its booth, NovoCure offers a refreshing alternative to the espresso stations scattered throughout the exhibition area.
Merck is another destination for lemonade lovers. With two booths at the congress, attendees have more than one Merck exhibition space to explore.
For those spending the day moving between crowded sessions and busy exhibition aisles, a cold lemonade may be exactly what they need before returning to the scientific discussions.
Coffee With a Twist: Virtual Reality, Phones, and Creative Displays
Some of the most interesting exhibition stops combine the traditional coffee break with something visitors can actually experience.
At Johnson & Johnson (J&J), coffee is only part of the attraction. The booth also features a virtual reality experience, offering attendees an opportunity to try something interactive during their visit.
It is a different kind of congress break, one that goes beyond simply picking up a drink and moving on.
Gilead Kite also combines coffee with a phone-related booth feature, adding another element for visitors to explore.
Meanwhile, Roche brings together coffee and a wall installation. For attendees who enjoy discovering the visual and creative side of congress exhibitions, it is another stop to add to the list.
These experiences offer a change of pace from the usual routine of presentations, meetings, and scientific discussions.
Ready for a Game? Novartis Has a Ladder Waiting
Not every break has to involve food or drinks.
At Novartis, visitors can take a break from the scientific programme with an interactive ladder game.
After a morning spent listening to presentations and reviewing clinical data, a few minutes of friendly competition might be just what is needed.
It is also a reminder that the exhibition experience can be informative and entertaining at the same time.
For those who enjoy interactive activities, the Novartis booth deserves a place on the congress itinerary.
The Best Conversations Sometimes Happen Over Coffee
ESMO Congress 2026 brings together oncology professionals from around the world to discuss research, exchange knowledge, and explore advances in cancer care.
But not every valuable conversation takes place inside a lecture hall.
Sometimes, it begins while waiting for an espresso. Other times, it happens during a short walk through the exhibition area, over a lemonade, or while trying an interactive experience with colleagues.
The exhibition booths offer opportunities to connect with fellow attendees, discover what different companies are presenting, and enjoy a few lighter moments during an intensive scientific programme.
So, whether you are searching for your morning coffee, an afternoon sweet treat, a refreshing lemonade, or a quick game between sessions, there is plenty to explore at ESMO Congress 2026.
And with so many coffee stations to choose from, there is only one question left: how many have you visited?
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