Man, I swear, I do more than just stare at screens and mash buttons all day. Surprising, right? Okay, maybe not. But yeah, I’m proudly, undeniably a nerd. So, buckle up because I recently embarked on this wild little escapade, and oh boy, do I have some tales to spill. Picture this: UK Games Expo 2025. Huge, right? I dove headfirst into what some might call organized chaos but heck, I loved every second of it.
Anyway, let’s set the scene real quick. NEC in Birmingham. Early June. Imagine every board game enthusiast and their grandmother packed in one place, ready to show off shiny game bits and sneak peeks into things that aren’t even out yet. It’s like a video game expo but with more tangible, roll-the-dice kind of games. And stuff. Tons of stuff. So much that I’m still shocked I didn’t have to sell my soul to afford everything I wanted. If you’re thinking of going next year, bring your wallet — trust me, you’ll need it.
Oh, and there’s this tent — Buy, Sell, and Swap. You know what they say, one person’s trash… Three hefty bags of “treasure” later, I’m practically skipping to my next stop. Not kidding, the place is massive. You could lose an entire day rummaging through and not even scratch the surface.
Saturday was wild. I mean, I barely stayed at the NEC. After hunting down some goodies, my journey took me to the Hilton. And I somehow ended up watching live comedy shows — imagine werewolves battling it out. Crazy funny, super worth it. Then there was this thing called Knightmare Live — it’s a nostalgia trip straight from the 80s. If you haven’t seen it, look it up. But be prepared for a slice of vintage weirdness.
Post-show adventures led me to one of Hilton’s open gaming rooms. Over a couple of beers, I cracked open my newly acquired games, and guess what? I wasn’t alone. The room buzzed with laughter — strangers bonding over game boards and shared nerdiness. Why don’t we have game libraries like this everywhere? Genius, right?
Sunday, back to the NEC, and whoa, let’s talk over-the-top. Imagine over 800 companies — that’s like, a ridiculous amount of booths. A real treat for the eyes. It’s sensory overload in the best way possible. Fancy dice? Check. Custom gaming tables? Double-check. It’s impossible not to find something that’ll tickle your fancy.
Quick tip if you’re considering it, plan ahead. Tickets drop around Christmas, but hotels? They fill up faster than you’d believe. Seriously, jump on it or you’ll be snoozing in a cardboard box. Kidding. Sort of.
So yeah, if board games are your jam or you’re just itching for something offbeat, this is your gig. I’ll be back for sure, but you know what? Two days didn’t cut it. Next time, I’m diving into the entire weekend bonanza. And if you’re not in the UK? Keep your eyes peeled — this event tends to pop up elsewhere, so you might luck out. Give it a go; it’s a blast.
