Free Comic Book Day has been a fixture of the first Saturday in May since 2002, but it's always been a comic-shop thing. That changes on 2 May 2026, when Free Comic Book Day expands into friendly local game stores for the first time, with Wizards of the Coast and Upper Deck on board to bring TCG and tabletop giveaways alongside the usual stack of free comics.
Got a regular group? Create a private community, poll for the best date, vote on games, and let your friends RSVP in one place.
Set up your group for freeParticipating comic publishers include Archie Comics, DC, Dynamite, Image, Mad Cave, Oni Press, Titan Comics, Udon and Vault. Marvel and the Penguin Random House labels are notable absences, although there are rumblings of a separate event on the same day.
For UK readers this matters because British comic shops and game stores have traditionally taken part in FCBD alongside their American counterparts. Adding the game store leg means your local Forbidden Planet, Travelling Man, or independent FLGS may now have free Magic, Pokemon or Lorcana promo cards alongside the comic singles. Worth ringing ahead to check what your shop has lined up before you queue.
Stop juggling Meetup, WhatsApp, and spreadsheets. One platform for your gaming group's events, RSVPs, and member management.
See how it worksIt's also a brilliant excuse to run a casual game day. If you organise a community, a Saturday demo session at your local store on 2 May is exactly the sort of low-stakes drop-in that converts comic readers into board gamers. List a free event on Backseat Gamer and tell your shop you'll bring the demo copies. Free coffee and a clear table go a long way.
Marvel may yet show up. If they don't, the door's open for another publisher to anchor the game-store leg next year.
Sources: Graphic Policy | FCBD 2026 Sponsors | FCBD Article
