What is UK Games Expo?
About UK Games Expo
The UK Games Expo (UKGE) is the UK’s largest hobby games convention and one of the world’s largest. Founded in 2007 by Richard Denning (a retired GP) and Tony Hyams (a church minister), the event was born out of a desire to create an inclusive, family-friendly space to play a mixture of all game genres in one place, but also appeal to the general public, casual gamers as well as the hobbyist.
The inaugural event took place at the Clarendon Suite Masonic Halls in Birmingham on June 2nd and 3rd 2007, pulling in around 1,200 attendees. It initially operated as a passionate hobby rather than a commercial business venture. However, fuelled by the mainstream boom of tabletop culture, the expo grew exponentially year after year.
By 2026, celebrating its milestone 20th anniversary, UKGE expanded across six massive halls at the NEC Birmingham and the adjacent Hilton Metropole Hotel. It attracted over 900 exhibitors and set a monumental record of 87,837 attendees over the three-day weekend. Today, it stands as a massive global hub for tabletop games.
The next UK Games Expo will be from Friday 29 May 2026 to Sunday 31 May 2026 at the NEC, Birmingham and Hilton Metropole Hotel.
What Are Tabletop Games?
What are Tabletop Games?
Tabletop games are any games you play around a table. They include:
- Board Games
- Card Games
- Roleplaying Games (like Dungeons & Dragons)
- Miniature Wargames
- Party Games
- Strategy and hobby games
It is all about having fun with friends and family together in a group setting.
You can make new friends and discover the plethora of tabletop games that exist. At UKGE, you’ll find all of them.
Can we play games when we attend the show?
Absolutely — playing games is at the heart of UKGE.
You can:
- Try brand‑new releases and upcoming titles.
- Sit down for demos with exhibitors.
- Join scheduled games and tournaments.
- Explore open gaming areas.
- Discover indie designers and small publishers.
- Learn rules from friendly demonstrators and creators.
If you’ve ever wanted to explore the world of tabletop gaming, this is the easiest and most exciting place to start.
We also have a huge library of games to borrow and play on hundreds of tables of open gaming - open for everyone.
What else can we do?
What Else Can You Do?
UKGE isn’t just about playing games. Across the halls you’ll also find:
- Talks, seminars, and panels with designers, publishers, and industry guests.
- Costume groups and cosplay, have your photo taken with a Stormtrooper or outside the Tardis.
- See a Live Entertainment show and maybe even come up on stage and take part.
- Explore the Living History Village, listen to tales from long ago and maybe even fight a Viking.
- Food, drink, and social spaces to relax between games. Check out Chow Street outside the Hilton or other facilities in the NEC.
- Enter a Tournament, play Dungeons and Dragons, Carcassonne or Catan, to name but many.
- Learn How to Paint, in our paint and take area.
- Collect Exclusive Pins, by joining in the Pin Collective craze.
It’s a full weekend experience, not just a trade show.
So is this a good day out for the family?
Very much so. Families are a huge part of the Expo.
You’ll find:
- Dedicated Family Zone activities.
- Games suitable for all ages.
- Friendly volunteers.
- A safe, welcoming environment.
- Plenty of space to take breaks, grab food, and explore at your own pace.
Children often discover their favourite new games here — and parents get to join in the fun.
