You’ll never forget your first time, Make sure it’s for the right reasons Your first time at UK Games Expo is slightly overwhelming in the best possible way. You walk into a hall and there are games everywhere. Publishers are running demos at long tables. People are filling Open Gaming playing exciting things. Someone near … Read more
It is surprisingly easy to leave UK Games Expo having spent three times what you planned. Everything looks good. The halls are full of things you did not know you needed until thirty seconds ago. Someone at the next table is visibly having the time of their life with a game you have never heard … Read more
Five days. That is how long it is until I get in the car and drive to Birmingham. Six days until the doors open at the NEC and UK Games Expo 2026 officially begins. I have been going to this show for years. I have never been an exhibitor as yet though. I have worked … Read more
Most people go to UK Games Expo to buy games. That is fair. The trade hall is excellent and the Bring and Buy alone is worth the trip. But if buying games is all you do, you are leaving one of the best parts of the show largely untouched. Open gaming at UK Games Expo … Read more
So the big question… Is UK Games Expo worth it? It is a fair question. Tickets, travel, parking, possibly a hotel, meals across a long day, and then the actual games you come home with. The costs of attending UK Games Expo add up, and before you commit to the weekend it is reasonable to … Read more
TL;DR The Expo Solos group, started by @boardgameaddictuk, is a free, friendly community for solo visitors and couples at UK Games Expo who want people to play with. There’s a set meeting spot in open gaming. You just turn up. It made my entire 2024 Expo, and it will likely do the same for you. … Read more
The first time I went to UK Games Expo I had no idea what I was walking into. I thought it was a big games market. It is, but it is also a convention, a gaming event, a social weekend, a tournament circuit, and a slightly overwhelming sensory experience all happening at the same time … Read more
Why 2 Player Games Deserve Their Own List Two player gaming is its own thing. Not a cut-down version of a bigger game night, not a consolation prize for when the group falls through. At two players, every decision matters more, every interaction is direct, and the games that work well at this count tend … Read more
A Step-by-Step Guide to Wingspan Wingspan is a beautifully designed, engine-building board game where players compete to attract birds to their wildlife preserves. If you’ve just unboxed it and are wondering how to get started, don’t worry—I’ve got you covered. Let’s break it down step by step so you can get playing without flipping through … Read more
A Wingspan Strategy Guide for Tabletop Gamers Wingspan isn’t just a game about birds—it’s a finely tuned engine-building challenge where every move matters. Whether you’re new to the game or looking to sharpen your skills, understanding how to maximise point generation while balancing resources is key. Let’s break down the best Wingspan strategies to dominate … Read more
