Mark 27 June in the diary. Free RPG Day 2026 returns to game shops worldwide with a haul of exclusive adventures, previews and accessories you can walk in and grab without spending a penny. Last year saw over 700 stores take part, and the 2026 lineup is shaping up to be the biggest yet, with Darrington Press joining for the first time with a Daggerheart-flavoured taster called Dying Spire.
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 freeFree RPG Day has run since 2007 as a way for publishers to push physical RPG books and adventures into shops where people can actually pick them up. The format is simple: participating shops receive a kit of exclusive RPG goodies (one-shot adventures, dice, character sheets, sample chapters), give them away, and ideally run a few demo tables on the day. UK regulars include Fan Boy Three in Manchester, Gates of Cerberus in Middlesbrough and Ancient Robot Games in Edinburgh, plus a handful of Forbidden Planet locations and new venues like the Snacks & Ladders cafe joining for 2026.
Past publisher partners include Paizo, Free League, Modiphius, Kobold Press, Goodman Games, Chaosium and Renegade. Critical Role's Darrington Press is joining the party for the first time with Dying Spire, a free Daggerheart adventure that should pull in a fresh wave of curious players. Stocks are first-come, first-served, so showing up early matters.
Run game nights? Backseat Gamer handles RSVPs, waitlists, date polling, and game voting so you can focus on playing.
Start organising for freeIf you run a club or cafe, this is one of the easiest hooks for a beginner-friendly day in the calendar. Pick a one-shot from the kit, run a couple of tables, and use the buzz to fill out your regulars. Once you've planned the day, list it free as an event on Backseat Gamer so curious newcomers in your area can find you.
Sources: Free RPG Day Official | Tabletop Gaming | Popverse | Snacks & Ladders
