FAQs
This FAQ document gives you information on how to get into the NEC to set up for the show. This is relatively long but includes important information. You are strongly advised to read it at least once.
There is a separate FAQ that contains the UK Games Expo NEC Site Rules.
Please familiarise yourself with our NEC Site Rules and make sure that all of your people have read them. Key points are:
Only individuals aged 16 and older are permitted in the unloading areas or the hall during the build period on Wednesday and Thursday.
Children under the age of 16 are permitted to enter the trade halls with the exhibitor or guest passes, provided they are under adult supervision. Entry times are as follows: 7:00 am on Friday and 8:00 am on Saturday and Sunday.
Please note that some restocking might occur during these hours, and pallet trucks may be in use. Therefore, children should stay at the stands they are associated with until 9:00 AM, when the halls officially open to the public, allowing them to move about freely.
Children with exhibitor passes can remain on their stands under adult supervision even after the halls are closed to the public. However, they must be escorted by an adult to the exits within one hour after closing time on Friday and Saturday nights. On Sunday night any children under the age of 16 must have left the trade halls by 16.00 which is the start of the derig period.
Hi-vis vests must be worn by everyone when vehicles are in the Halls (moving or static), so please remember to bring them.
Access
The Normal build period for exhibitors starts on Thursday 29th May 2025.
The contractors who are building stands, erecting walling, etc are starting to build on Wednesday 28th May 2025.
Early Access
Exhibitors who require early access to unload large vehicles and deliver pallets etc. may be able to gain access early from 2:00 pm on Wednesday 28th May. This must be arranged in advance - contact Paul if you need this. Stands from 100 sqm upwards will be granted access if requested. Stands under 100 sqm will not unless there is extensive construction required. The organisers will make a ruling on that.
Please note that furniture and power installations will occur on Wednesday, and exhibitors arriving that day may not receive theirs until late evening.
Normal Access
Access for Exhibitors begins at 8:00 am on Thursday 29th May and continues until 9:00 pm
On Friday 30th May, Access for Exhibitors begins at 7:00 am. All stands must be fully set up for the show opening time of 9.00 am on Friday 30th May 2025.
Arriving at the NEC
If you are arriving by train or plane, take the Skyway from the railway station to the NEC. When you descend the stairs at the far end, go through the doors and turn right to reach Hall 2..
If you are driving, enter B40 1NT in your Sat Nav or access the NEC site from Junction 6 of the M42. When you arrive at the NEC site, proceed to the North Lorry Park. (North12 - see the NEC site plan). This is the designated staging area for vehicles to access the NEC site, guided by NEC security. This applies during the build period on Thursday, the restocking periods each morning, and the breakdown period on Sunday. For Restock periods on Friday and Saturday evenings, please use the main entrance (Gate 1) instead of the Lorry Park for access.
Your exhibitor name, stand number and contact details must be clearly displayed in your windscreen while you are on site. Vehicles on site with no clearly displayed details risk being removed by NEC security.
Getting Access
You will be provided in advance with an Access Pass for the exhibition halls, which will tell you which access door to use. When you arrive in the hall, present your Access Pass to NEC security, who will issue you with wristbands that must be worn at all times.
These wristbands are for the build period only and are not valid for access on show days.
The Access Pass is available for download as a PDF document through your Exhibitor Login on the UK Games Expo website. If some of your crew will be turning up separately, make sure each person/group has a copy of your Access Pass.
Access for Vehicles
In order to bring a vehicle onto the NEC site, you MUST book your vehicle entry in advance. You do this at www.voyagecontrol.com/necbirmingham. This is now operational for 2025.
There is a Voyage Control end user guide you may wish to read.
This booking system talks about 'Deposit System' days. The only time the Deposit System is in place for UKGE is the Build day on Thursday 29th May 2025, from midday onwards. It will not be in operation for the restock periods or the breakdown period at the end of the show.
- Vehicles up to 2 tons are allowed one hour on site
- Vehicles over 2 tons are allowed two hours on site
- Articulated vehicles are allowed three hours on site
If you are unable to complete your unloading in the time given, your options are to break your unloading into more than one session, or to forfeit your deposit. However, please note that the NEC may require overstaying vehicles to be removed, so choosing to forfeit your deposit will not guarantee an unlimited unloading period.
As this will apply to all vehicles, any couriers or partners that will be delivering goods for you must be made aware of this.
Unloading
On arrival go to North 12 Carpark to gain access to the NEC.
While you will be assigned an access door suitable for your location in the exhibition halls, you may still be some distance from your stand. Exhibitor vehicles will not be allowed inside the hall. Please bring your own trolleys/sack trucks/dollies to save yourself time and effort. Do not ride on these yourselves.
The location of the vehicle entry doors are shown on the Hall 1 and Hall 2 Exhibitor Access Maps. The available access doors for Hall 2 will be VE2.1, VE2.3 and VE2.5.
Hall 3 and 3a TBC.
In the event of another access door becoming available while you are waiting for your nominated access door, you may be offered the option of using that as an alternative but be aware that this will usually involve a longer walk to reach your stand. Once you have unloaded, please take your vehicle to the free Exhibitor car parks to make space for other Exhibitors. These are car Parks E1 to E4 (see the NEC site plan). This is particularly important if you require some time to set up what you have unloaded. You can retrieve your vehicle later on to reload surplus items.
Getting Your Exhibitor Show Passes and Car Park Passes.
Exhibitor Show passes and parking passes will be available from UK Games Expo Exhibition Services, located next to vehicle entry door VE3.3 in Hall 2. Present your Access Pass for this collection.
The number of Exhibitor Show passes you are entitled to can be checked on the UK Games Expo web site - How many trade passes do I get?.
The number of free passes and additional passes you are entitled to buy is based on the size of your stand.
The number of car park passes you are entitled to can be checked on the UK Games Expo website - How do I get an Exhibitor Car Parking pass?.
When you collect your passes, please take all the passes for your stand.
If members of your show crew are arriving later, you will need to make arrangements to meet them outside the exhibition halls to give them their show passes.
Delivering to the Show
If you need to have anything delivered to the show, as opposed to bringing it yourself, be aware that the NEC will not accept deliveries before 2pm on Wednesday 28th May 2025 and then only if an exhibitor is present to receive the delivery. Deliveries can be made on Thursday 29th May 2025 and then only if an exhibitor is present to receive the delivery. For a delivery vehicle to get onto the NEC site, the delivery company MUST book the vehicle entry in advance. You do this at www.voyagecontrol.com/necbirmingham.
Also, be aware that you cannot leave anything in the halls once the show has closed, so you cannot arrange for something to be collected on or after Monday 2nd June 2025
If the delivery or collection involves pallets, the delivery driver should have the ability to load/unload pallets from their vehicle.
If your delivery or collection involves pallets and you do not have the ability to load/unload these yourselves, you can hire fork lift services from UK Games Expo Limited. Arrange in advance by emailing production@ukgamesexpo.co.uk, +01562 69391 or go to Exhibitor Services to arrange this at the show. This service will only be available on the Build days and during the Breakdown period. Be aware that on-site bookings may be subject to a delay if the service is in use, so being independent for your own loading/unloading can be a distinct advantage.
Restock Periods
Exhibitors will be able to restock their stands during the restock periods. These are one hour before the halls open to the public and one hour after the halls close.
When restocking, please access via the South 3 Lorry Park for the morning sessions, via the main site entrance (Gate 1) for the evening sessions, and remember to have your Access Pass with you.
Opening Times
These are the public opening times for the Exhibition Halls:
- Friday 30th May 2025: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
- Saturday 31st May 2025: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
- Sunday 1st June 2025: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm