Free RPG Day returns on Saturday 27 June 2026, and it is one of the easiest, cheapest ways to try a new tabletop roleplaying game. Walk into a participating game shop and you can walk out with free adventures, quickstart rules and accessories from a stack of publishers, no purchase required.
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 freeThe event has been running since 2007, and this year more than 700 shops worldwide are taking part alongside around 30 publishers, according to TTRPG Fans. The line-up is a who's who of the hobby: Paizo with Pathfinder and Starfinder, Free League serving up its gothic mystery game Vaesen, Chaosium offering an Age of Vikings quickstart, plus Kobold Press, Goodman Games, Renegade and more. The one notable no-show is Dungeons & Dragons publisher Wizards of the Coast, so this is a brilliant chance to see what the wider world of RPGs has to offer.
To find a shop near you, the official Free RPG Day site has a store locator. Stock is first-come, first-served and kits are limited, so it pays to turn up early and check ahead with your local store.
Looking for board gamers near you? Browse local communities and find your next game night.
Find events near youHere is the organiser angle. Free RPG Day works best when someone runs a table, and you do not need to wait for a shop to do it. Grab one of last year's quickstarts or a free one-shot, round up a few curious friends, and you have an instant introduction to the hobby. If you fancy making it bigger, list a session on Backseat Gamer so newcomers in your area can find your table. A welcoming GM and a pre-generated party are how a lot of lifelong roleplayers got started.
Sources: Free RPG Day | TTRPG Fans
