Those of you who have been enjoying our recent coverage of board games will know just how incredible modern tabletop gaming has become, and while video games continue their relentless journey into some almost unbelievably realism, the very nature of board games lends to a much deeper sense of community and group play.
It’s fitting, then, that the UK Gaming Expo is celebrating its 11th year this June, on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th, and they’re expecting far more visitors than they’ve ever seen before, mainly due to the surge in popularity of this style of gaming.
This expansion has meant that for the 2017 convention, the trade hall is being expaned to cover a whopping 14,000 sqm+ of Hall One of the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham (just down the road from us as it happens), whilst maintaining many tournaments and evening events in the nearby Hilton Metropole, one of the biggest convention hotels in the UK. This adds up to almost 30 times as much space as the first show 11 years ago. Bonkers.
There’s loads to do; the list on the website points out the following just as a starting point:
- Tournaments and Championships in the most popular game systems
- Newest games and releases on show and playable!
- Large trade fair
- Family Zone – lots for the kids to do
- Authors and artists
- Participation and Demonstration Games – No need to know the rules or book in advance, just rock up and ask to join in!
- Costumed Groups
- Guests
- Seminars and Talks
- Space for Open Gaming and Roleplaying Games
- Game Ambassadors – if you are new, on your own or just lost ask them and they will help.
This event has become the focal point for Hobby Games in the UK. Games companies release new games and demonstrate their prototypes. Some of the largest tournaments in the Hobby Games World occur such as the Catan UK Final, the Carcasonne UK Final and a huge Xwing Miniatures Event with over 200 participants.
UK Games Expo also boasts the largest Roleplaying Games schedule in the UK with literally hundreds of games sessions in dozens of games systems over the three days. The family and general visitor is well catered for with dedicated areas showing all the best and newest games both for the family audience and adults too, complete with demonstrators who explain all the rules – no need to work through a complex rule book here! Cosplayers who turn up as characters from Doctor Who, Star Wars and many other films and TV series, live entertainment games with active audience participation and Ambassadors who actively guide you through the show to areas and events suitable for you, all help to make this event easy, safe and above all fun for the family audience.
You might be wondering what it costs. Far enough, here’s the info:
- SINGLE DAY TICKET: Adults £13, Young Adult (11 to 15 years) £8. Family £35.
- TWO DAY TICKET: Adults £22, Young Adult (11 to 15 years) £14. Family £50.
- THREE DAY TICKET Adults £28, Young Adult (11 to 15 years) £18. Family £70.
- FAMILY TICKET admits 2 adults and 2 young adults.
- UNDER 10s get in free. Which is nice.
Want even more? Head over to http://www.ukgamesexpo.co.uk for anything else you might need.
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