UK Tabletop Conventions 2026
There are a lot of Tabletop Conventions that take place here in the UK over the year. Originally, this was going to be a post about all of them, but I quickly realised this would be a gargantuan task and soon found myself trying to write about conventions I knew little about and realistically was not going to be able to attend. Not to mention that there is effectively one for every week of the year, or at least every month.
So here is a rejig of the select few that I will be attending throughout the year. The benefit they’re all in Kent! – with the exception of UK Games Expo. If you were wanting to attend any of these and looking for someone to go with, feel free to catch me at any of our weekly meetings! Just ask for the guy who runs the Website and someone should be able to point you in my direction.
Hastings Games Fest
When: 7th & 8th February (Saturday and Sunday)
Where: Whiterock Theatre, Hastings
What: A retro-video-gaming event, returning for it’s second year in conjunction with Game Over and Dice Board Game Lounge.
This event offers:
Retro Gaming – organised by Game Over
Board Game Library of over 100 games – organised by Dice Board Game Lounge with demonstrations of new releases
Esports gaming - organised by East Sussex College
The Dabblezone - an interactive experience helping 16-25 years old get into the industry
Competitive Rocket League and Valorant – organised by Bexhill College
Dungeon Workshop - help create an interactive Stranger Things Miniatures Dungeon
Dungeons and Dragons – single player sessions included
Cosplay
Having not been before, I have heard promising things from friends who went last year.
Tickets: https://hastingsgamesfest.com/
Geek Mania!
When: 1st March (Sunday)
Where: Angel Centre, Tonbridge
What: Local Gaming Café Planet JJs will be running the first ever Geek Mania for all things nerdy at the Tonbridge Angel Centre on the High Street. A bit of a personal one for myself knowing Jo and Jed after attending TOG for 2 years, this is there first time running a convention, as avid ComiCon and attendees in the past. Having spoken with them both about the event, the team are extremely excited, and the event is being handle with the upmost care to make sure there is space for whichever side of the tabletop gaming hobby you are a part of, whether you play TCGs, RPGs, Board Games and most things in between.
This event offers:
Demonstrations – learn to play TCGs, RPGs and Board Games by people who know how
Free play tables – safe space to play yourself with friends and family
TCG trade corner – add to your collection while benefitting someone else’s!
Vendors and Artists – support local businesses and their cool stuff!
Tickets: https://geek-mania.co.uk/
UK Games Expo
When: 29th, 30th & 31st May (Friday, Saturday and Sunday)
Where: Birmingham NEC
What: Turning 20 this year, the UK Games Expo is the place to go for all things Board Games, RPGs, TCGs and everything in between. The best place to go to keep up to date with the Board Game world whether you’re just getting into the hobby or trying to get an industry presence. If you enjoy anything that takes place on a Tabletop, you will find it here. Speaking from personal experience UK Games Expo 2025 was the best thing I did and if you only go to one this year, this would be it!
The event offers:
RPG One-shots
Tournaments
Live shows of Podcasts and Board Game influencers.
New Releases
Playtesting
Bring and Buy - the UK’s largest
Board Game Library - the largest you’ll find anywhere in the UK
Sooooooo much more, check the website for more information
Tickets: https://www.ukgamesexpo.co.uk/
Strange Games
When and Where:
Strange Games Campout, 10th – 13th July (Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Monday)
Strange Games Bristol, 31st July – 3rd August (Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Monday)
Strange Games Festival, 28th – 31st August (Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Monday)
What: All the best parts of Board gaming and camping combine to a long weekend of board games, RPGs, social deduction and more. Having not been last year, I only heard positive things and hope to attend the July event.
This event offers:
Camping - marquees and campfires
Board games - role-playing games, social deduction, site wide games
Food vans and a bar
Quiz
Market
Tickets: https://strangegamesfestival.co.uk/
Canterbury Gaming Convention
When: Saturday 15th & Sunday 16th August 2026
Where: University of Kent, Canterbury
What: Running for it’s first time last year Canterbury Gaming Convention is run by Dice & Destiny, the City’s Tabletop Store which caters to all sides of the hobby. Last year saw the launch of Gwent: The Legendary Card Game a month before the rest of the world. Having gone to University in Canterbury and being part of the Adventure Gaming Society, who often frequented Dice & Destiny, I look forward to seeing what the convention has to offer in 2026.
This event offers (based on last year’s schedule):
Competitions – miniature painting, TCGs, retro gaming, Arkham Horror
Quiz Night
RPG showcases
Vendors and Artists – support local businesses and their cool stuff!
Dragon Meet
Information based on last year’s event
When: TBD (Last weekend of November in 2025)
Where: London, Excel Centre
What: The Roleplaying Game Convention, for all things roleplaying! Looking to get into the hobby or just looking for a new system to play in because D&D is getting boring? This is the place to go. Details are relatively sparse but if last year is anything to go by it seems that 2026 will not be a year to miss.
This event offers:
Seminars - by the creators and minds behind the RPGs we love to play
Launches of new systems
Vendors and Artists – support local businesses and their cool stuff!
Play areas - for both Board Games and RPGs
Podcasts
Gaming session - book in for RPGs session to learn how to play them
Tickets: https://dragonmeet.co.uk/