UK Games Expo



UK Games Expo (UKGE) is tabletop-game convention and trade fair held annually at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) and the Hilton Birmingham Metropole.

UK Games Expo (UKGE) is the largest Hobby Games Convention in the UK. First held in 2007 the event is now held annually at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham and currently hosts over 65,000 guests.

UKGE features a range of exhibitors, events, open games, demos and tournaments including the UK Carcassonne Championship, and the UK Agricola Championship.

All forms of tabletop games are represented at the event including board games, roleplaying games, card games and war games. Organisers each year also hold the UKGE Awards which are voted on by attendees of the event.

History
The UK Games Expo was first held in 2007, organised by Richard Denning and Tony Hyams. The event has grown year on year and in 2024 hosted over 65,000 participants making it the largest tabletop games event in the UK and the third largest in the world.

In 2008 UKGE hosted the official launch of Dungeons & Dragons 4th Edition in the UK.

In 2020 the event was held online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The event returned in person in 2021 with additional restrictions. In 2022 the event was restored to full capacity, with halls 1, 2 and 3 being used. In 2024 broke exhibitor and attendance records set in 2023. 2025 is expected to grow further again.

Show features at UK Games Expo:


 * The UK's Largest RPG Schedule.
 * World's Largest Bring & Buy.
 * More than 630 exhibitors.
 * Live Entertainment from comedy acts from the Fringe Festival and TV.
 * Tournaments and National events in many systems.
 * Seminars.
 * 2500+ Open Gaming seats.
 * Cosplay and Living History Village.
 * Dedicated Family Zone.

Special Guests at previous UK Games Expo include:


 * Luke Gygax
 * Sir Ian Livingstone
 * No Rolls Barred
 * The Dice Tower
 * Shut Up and Sit Down
 * No Pun Included
 * Alex Kammer
 * Tim Hutchings
 * Simon Fisher-Becker
 * Ben Aaronovitch
 * Alex Yeager
 * Chris Barrie
 * John Robertson
 * Kenny Baker

Attendance
Attendance figures released by the organizers are published each year in their exhibitor pack.

UK Games Expo Awards
Each year the show awards the UKGE Awards which are split into two broad categories: The People’s Choice, which are voted on by expo attendees, and the Judge’s Choice, which are voted on by invited judges.