UK Games Expo 2025: Coverage by That VideoGame Blog

Gonna say this straight up—yeah, I love video games, but surprise, surprise, I do other stuff too. Shocking? Maybe not. But I did this wild thing recently and felt like bragging a bit. So, here’s the scoop on my little escapade to the UK Games Expo 2025. It’s big. Like huge. And I thought, why not dive in and see what this chaos is all about?

Got myself to Birmingham, NEC, early June. Place was buzzing. Picture this giant room, games everywhere—table after table of the coolest board games you’ve probably never heard of. Feels kinda like a video game expo, but with dice and cards and, of course, the merch. So much merch—you could easily blow your bank account. How I left without mortgaging my sanity is beyond me. But if you go, take cash. You’ll need it.

Anyway, the expo’s split into two spots. Main event at the NEC and then the Hilton’s got its own gig going on. First stop was this Buy, Sell, and Swap tent, jam-packed with board game goodies. You know the saying, one guy’s junk is another’s treasure? Never more true. Grabbed a few bags of secondhand gems, almost lost myself there for who knows how long, but hey—I had places to be.

My Saturday was more Hilton than NEC. After some shopping, I wandered over to catch these wild live shows. Think comedians playing games you laughed at as a kid. Or maybe it’s just me? Knightmare Live was a blast. Nostalgia hit me like a pixelated tornado. If you haven’t seen it—YouTube it. Prepare for retro madness.

Post-laughter, I plunked down in an open gaming hall—with beer, naturally. Played some of my new finds with folks I’d just met. Heartwarming chaos, if that makes sense. They even had a game library for those without their own stash. Kinda brilliant, right? Cities everywhere should do this.

Sunday, back at the NEC, and wow—just overwhelmed. Over 800 companies there, each with flashy stalls and plenty for the eyes to feast on. Like, where do I even start? Accessories galore, unique dice sets, fancy tables. I swear, you could meet your fave authors and artists. Inspiring, really.

Bit of advice here: if you’re tempted to go, plan ahead. Tickets drop around Christmas, but hotels fill fast. The crowd’s no joke—this thing gets packed.

If you’re all about exploring board games, making friends, and having a laugh, this expo’s a must. I’ll be back next year, no question. Planning a full weekend next time—two days wasn’t enough. Fridays kick things off, so plan wisely. And for those not in the UK, this event might pop up somewhere nearby. Check it out if you can. Totally worth it.