TL;DR
The Big Three: UKGE (Birmingham, May-June, 30,000+ attendees), Airecon (Harrogate, March, 5,000+), Dragonmeet (London, December, 3,000+). Book accommodation 3-6 months ahead for best rates. Budget £150-400 for a weekend convention including tickets, travel, accommodation, and spending money. First-time tip: start with a smaller con to avoid overwhelm.
The first time I walked into UK Games Expo, I was overwhelmed. Thousands of people, hundreds of games, an expo hall the size of an aircraft hangar. I wandered aimlessly, played nothing for two hours, then found my rhythm.
Four years later, I've attended a dozen cons across the UK. This guide shares everything I wish I'd known before that first bewildering day.
The UK Convention Calendar
2025 brings a packed schedule of tabletop events. Here's what's confirmed.
Tier 1: Major Conventions
Major UK Board Game Conventions 2025
| Convention | Location | Dates | Size | Focus | |------------|----------|-------|------|-------| | UK Games Expo | Birmingham NEC | 30 May - 1 June | 30,000+ | Largest UK con | | Airecon | Harrogate Convention Centre | 13-16 March | 5,000+ | Open gaming focus | | Dragonmeet | Hammersmith, London | 6 December | 3,000+ | One-day, trade + play | | Tabletop Scotland | Perth | 23-24 August | 2,000+ | Scottish gaming scene |
Tier 2: Regional Conventions
| Convention | Location | Estimated Dates | Notes | |------------|----------|-----------------|-------| | HandyCon | Maidenhead | February | Accessibility-focused | | Beer & Pretzels | Burton upon Trent | April | Veteran-friendly | | SorCon | Southampton | Spring | Southern regional | | Joust | Derbyshire | Autumn | Medieval venue | | ConQuest | Derbyshire | Various | Smaller, focused |
Tier 3: Local Events
Dozens of smaller gaming weekends happen across the country. Check BGG regional forums and local Facebook groups for unlisted events.
UK Games Expo: The Flagship Event
UKGE is the UK's answer to Essen Spiel—though different in character.
What to Expect
The Expo Hall: Publishers large and small demo upcoming releases. Expect crowds around popular booths. New game announcements happen here. Exclusive promos abound.
Open Gaming: The Hilton and surrounding hotels become giant game libraries. Thousands of games available to play. Tables fill quickly.
Tournaments: Organised play for competitive gamers. Pre-registration required for most.
Seminars and Panels: Industry talks, designer discussions, game development content.
Practical Information
Tickets:
- Weekend passes: ~£50 (early bird) to ~£70 (door)
- Day passes: ~£25-35
- Purchase through official website 6+ months early for best prices
Accommodation:
- Hilton Birmingham Metropole: On-site, convenient, expensive (£200+/night), books out months ahead
- NEC Resorts World: Adjacent, mid-range
- Birmingham city centre: 20-minute taxi, cheaper, more options
- Budget: Airbnbs in Solihull or Birmingham
Transport:
- Birmingham International station: 5-minute walk
- Birmingham Airport: Adjacent
- Driving: Free weekend parking at NEC
💡 UKGE Pro Tips
- Pre-book demo slots for popular games (book on opening day of scheduling)
- Bring a compact game for queues
- The Hilton open gaming stays open until 4am
- Saturday is busiest—consider Friday or Sunday for calmer shopping
- Comfortable shoes are essential
Budget Breakdown
Sample UKGE Budget (Weekend, 2 People)
| Category | Budget | Mid-Range | Splurge | |----------|--------|-----------|---------| | Weekend tickets (x2) | £100 | £100 | £100 | | Accommodation (2 nights) | £150 | £250 | £450 | | Travel (Midlands) | £30 | £50 | £80 | | Food (on-site) | £60 | £100 | £150 | | Game purchases | £50 | £150 | £300+ | | Total | £390 | £650 | £1,080+ |
Airecon: The Community Favourite
If UKGE is the industry showcase, Airecon is the hobbyist's paradise.
Why Gamers Love Airecon
Open Gaming Focus: No massive expo hall—just thousands of games available to play. Tables everywhere. The entire convention centre becomes one giant game night.
Intimate Atmosphere: 5,000 attendees feels busy but not overwhelming. Easier to meet people, find tables, and actually play.
Yorkshire Hospitality: Harrogate is charming. Good food, nice pubs, walkable town centre.
Community Vibe: Less commercial, more communal. Designers often found playing their own games with attendees.
UKGE is where you go to see what's coming. Airecon is where you go to play what's here. Different purposes, both valuable.
Practical Information
Tickets:
- Four-day passes: ~£60-80
- Weekend passes: ~£40-60
- Sell out earlier than UKGE—book ahead
Accommodation:
- Majestic Hotel: Official con hotel, convenient
- Old Swan Hotel: Upscale option
- Town centre B&Bs: Plentiful, book early
- Budget: Travel Lodge, Premier Inn on outskirts
Transport:
- Harrogate station: 10-minute walk
- Leeds Bradford Airport: 45 minutes
- Driving: Town centre parking adequate
Airecon Tips
- Bring games to trade in the Bring & Buy
- Thursday evening is lowest-attendance, easiest to find tables
- Sunday afternoon offers final deals at the small trade area
- Evening entertainment (pub quizzes, music) worth staying for
- The hot tub play is a real thing—bring swimwear
Dragonmeet: London's Gaming Day
One day. Central London. Focused intensity.
The Dragonmeet Experience
Trade Hall: Publishers, retailers, and indie designers. Smaller than UKGE but curated. Good for niche discoveries.
RPG Focus: Strong roleplaying game presence. D&D, indie RPGs, scenario sessions throughout.
Board Gaming: Open gaming area, demos, tournaments. Board games are present but share focus with RPGs.
Seminars: Industry talks, design discussions, game development.
Practical Information
Tickets:
- Standard: ~£15-25
- Purchase online beforehand (door tickets if available, more expensive)
Location:
- Olympia London or Hammersmith venues (varies by year)
- Central London tube access
- No accommodation booking typically needed (day event)
Timing:
- December date suits Christmas shopping (buy games as gifts)
- One-day format means packed schedule
Dragonmeet Tips
- Arrive at opening for best trade hall browsing
- Book RPG sessions in advance (popular ones fill immediately)
- Evening pub meetup tradition continues after close
- Combine with London sightseeing for non-gaming companions
Convention Planning Essentials
Regardless of which con you attend, preparation matters.
What to Bring
Essentials:
- Comfortable shoes (you'll walk miles)
- Phone charger / power bank
- Water bottle (refill stations available)
- Snacks (avoid overpriced con food)
- Small backpack (for purchases)
Gaming Gear:
- Compact game for queues/downtime
- Reference card for complex games you want to teach
- Board game accessories (card holders if needed)
Practical Items:
- Cash (some vendors don't take card)
- Hand sanitiser (many people, many shared components)
- Layers (venue temperatures vary wildly)
First-Timer Survival Guide
Don't Overschedule
Leave buffer time. Cons move slowly. Walking the hall takes longer than expected. Spontaneous play is the best play.
Pace Yourself
Cons are exhausting. Take breaks. Eat real food. Step outside occasionally. The games will still be there.
Ask to Join
See a game setting up with empty seats? "Mind if I join?" works 90% of the time. Con culture welcomes strangers.
Use the Library
Open gaming libraries are the heart of cons. Browse. Pull something interesting. Find a table. Start playing.
Talk to Designers
Many designers attend cons and love discussing their games. If you see a name badge, they're often happy to chat.
Meeting People
Cons excel at connection. Strategies that work:
At demos: Chat with the person beside you waiting for your turn In queues: Everyone's bored—open conversations appreciated At meals: Join communal tables rather than isolating Through games: Playing together creates instant camaraderie
⚠️ Warning
Convention fatigue is real. Introvert or extrovert, you'll hit a wall. Recognise it. Retreat to your hotel room if needed. Watch something mindless. Recharge. Return refreshed.
Buying at Conventions
The temptation to overspend is significant. Manage it.
Good Deals to Seek
- Con exclusives: Promos only available at events
- Demo copies: Publishers sometimes sell played copies at discount
- Indie games: Designers sell directly, often signed
- Bundle deals: Multi-game discounts common Friday/Saturday
- End-of-con clearance: Sunday afternoon fire sales
Traps to Avoid
- Buying what you can get cheaper online: Check prices before purchasing
- FOMO purchases: "Limited edition" often isn't
- Games you won't play: The excitement fades; unplayed games don't
- Heavy games without luggage capacity: Consider shipping
The Convention Budget
Set a spending limit before arriving. Withdraw cash to make spending tangible. When cash is gone, stop buying.
Tip: Photograph games you're interested in rather than impulse purchasing. Research post-con. Buy if still excited.
Accessibility Considerations
UK cons have improved significantly but challenges remain.
Physical Accessibility
UKGE: NEC is wheelchair accessible. Long distances between venues. Blue badge parking close to halls.
Airecon: Convention centre is accessible. Town centre hotels vary. Request ground-floor rooms explicitly.
Dragonmeet: London venue dependent. Tube access varies by location.
Sensory Considerations
Noise: All cons are loud. Bring ear defenders or noise-reducing earplugs. Quiet rooms exist at some events.
Lighting: Exhibition halls are bright. Sunglasses acceptable.
Crowds: Saturday peaks are intense. Friday/Sunday calmer. Early mornings before crowds arrive help.
Dietary Needs
On-site catering varies in accommodation. Research nearby restaurants beforehand. Pack emergency snacks. Allergen information is improving but not universal.
The gaming community increasingly understands that accessibility isn't optional—it's necessary for true inclusion. More cons are training volunteers and designing spaces with diverse needs in mind.
Beyond Conventions: Local Events
Cons are highlights, but local events sustain the hobby year-round.
Game shops: Many run regular gaming nights Board game cafés: Drop-in play any week Meetup groups: Weekly sessions at pubs/community centres Private game groups: The ultimate—regular invited sessions
Use cons to find these: people you enjoy playing with often become local gaming friends.
2025 Planning Calendar
Key Dates for 2025 Convention Planning
| When | Action | |------|--------| | January | Book Airecon tickets (March event) | | January-February | Book UKGE accommodation | | March | Attend Airecon | | March-April | Book UKGE tickets | | May | Finalise UKGE plans | | May 30 - June 1 | Attend UKGE | | August | Attend Tabletop Scotland | | September-October | Book Dragonmeet tickets | | November | Confirm Dragonmeet plans | | December 6 | Attend Dragonmeet |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which con should I attend first?
Airecon or a smaller regional con. UKGE can overwhelm first-timers. Smaller events let you learn con culture without drowning.
Are conventions family-friendly?
Yes. UKGE has dedicated family areas. Airecon welcomes families. Noise and crowds are considerations for young children.
Can I go alone?
Absolutely. Solo attendees are common. The table-joining culture means you're never truly alone. Many people prefer solo attendance for maximum flexibility.
How do I survive the dealer hall?
Arrive early (fresh, uncrowded). Make a list of priorities. Browse first, buy second. Take breaks. Drink water.
What if I don't know anyone?
You won't know anyone until you do. Ask to join games. Chat in queues. Attend organised events. Connection happens naturally when you're open to it.
Are there opportunities for industry/design contacts?
Major cons have networking events, designer pitching sessions, and informal mixing. Airecon's relaxed vibe suits casual industry conversation.
Final Thoughts
My first convention was overwhelming. My second was exciting. By my third, I'd found my rhythm—the right balance of shopping, playing, and socialising that made the experience sustainable and joyful.
Conventions offer something local game nights can't: concentration. Thousands of enthusiasts, hundreds of games, dozens of designers, all compressed into a weekend. The intensity is exhausting and exhilarating.
Start with one con. See how it feels. Adjust for next time. Eventually, you'll have your own rhythm, your own preferences, your own traditions.
See you at the tables.
The Smoothie Wars Content Team creates educational gaming content. The team has strong opinions about convention hall coffee quality and optimal demo scheduling.
