UK Games Expo turns 20 this year, and the build-up has officially started. BoardGameGeek has published the official preview list for UKGE 2026, letting attendees start planning their wishlists ahead of the 29-31 May show at the NEC in Birmingham.
The convention has grown from a modest gathering in 2007 to the largest tabletop gaming event in the UK and the third largest in the world. Last year saw over 65,000 daily participations across the weekend, and the 20th anniversary show is expected to draw over 600 exhibitors (including 125+ international ones) across five halls. Bushiroad has already confirmed that UK fans may get their first hands-on demo of the Palworld Official Card Game at the show, and with Archon Studio's StarCraft miniatures flying off shelves at AdeptiCon, expect similar buzz around any UKGE exclusives or first-play opportunities.
Hall 5 houses what UKGE bills as the world's largest Bring and Buy sale, reason enough to attend for anyone hunting rare or out-of-print games. Hall 1 offers over 4,000 seats for open gaming and tournaments.
The BGG preview page is still being populated, but a community-created GeekList of confirmed games is growing daily. Historically, UKGE has been the launchpad for major reveals, and publishers tend to save their best announcements for milestone years.
Tickets are available through the UKGE website, with options from single-day passes to VIP upgrades. Saturday tickets sell out well in advance, so book sooner rather than later.
Sources: BoardGameGeek Blog | Zatu Games | UK Games Expo