UK Games Expo hits its 20th anniversary this year. Nearly two decades ago, a group of enthusiasts launched a small tabletop convention in Birmingham. UKGE 2026 now expects over 42,000 attendees across 29-31 May at the NEC, with more than 600 exhibitors across five halls.
Run game nights? Backseat Gamer handles RSVPs, waitlists, date polling, and game voting so you can focus on playing.
Start organising for freeThe growth is hard to overstate. UKGE has surpassed Gen Con for trade hall floor space, making it second only to Spiel Essen globally in that regard. For a UK convention to sit alongside those two is a proper milestone, and it means the UK now has a genuinely world-class tabletop event on its doorstep.
This year's show features the UK Carcassonne Championship and UK Agricola Championship alongside publisher demos, open gaming, and exclusive game launches. With the 20th anniversary preview list generating buzz on BGG, the exhibitor lineup is shaping up to be one of the strongest yet.
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 freeIf you're heading to the NEC this May, it's worth making a weekend of it. Find other attendees near you and plan the trip together. Twenty years of UKGE is worth celebrating.
Sources: UK Games Expo | BoardGameWire | Zatu Games
