So you’re going to the UK Games Expo and don’t know what to expect?

April 26, 2024

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This June, tens of thousands of games fans from every imaginable walk of life will descend on the NEC in Birmingham, UK, for the UK Games Expo (UKGE). I’ll be joining them, just as I have for the previous three years, and I’ll love every minute. But I remember what it was like the first time I went. I remember the apprehension, the nerves, the excitement. Some people thrive on it, while for others it’s daunting – terrifying even. So here’s my guide about what to expect, what it’s really like, and how to get the most out of it.

If you want to read about my experiences, you can do that right here:

Is it really busy?

The first thing you need to know about is the crowds. The UKGE is busy. Crazy busy. In 2022 there were approximately 23,000 people there for the three days. In 2023 that grew to 31,000. What does that look like in real life?

That photo was taken at lunchtime on Saturday last year and is a view down from the top of the stairs into one of the three halls that the convention occupies. While you can get outside whenever you want, or spend time in the quieter Hall 3 where the open gaming area is, if you want to get around and see the stalls, demo some games, and do some shopping, you’ll have to contend with a lot of people around you.

For some people that’s a deal-breaker, and I absolutely understand. There are times when I’m desperate for a bit of peace and quiet, and I love the hustle and bustle, so if it’s outside your comfort zone, it can definitely feel like too much.

If you’re apprehensive about the crowds but still want to experience it, my best advice is to turn up at least an hour after the doors open, so from 10am onwards. Before that there will be literally thousands of people queueing outside the main doors for each hall. It’s also quieter towards the end of the day, after 3pm.

What can I actually do there?

Buying games

UKGE is definitely tailored towards people who want to go and spend some money. There’s generally nothing there that you couldn’t buy online any other time, but there’s something special about doing it in person. Staring at the shelves of games, picking them up, looking for bargains or something a bit different.

Some people go with the bring-and-buy in mind, an area where you can check your used games in to sell them and to browse and buy the games that other people have brought to sell. You can get some real bargains in there, for sure, but I wouldn’t recommend going just for the bring-and-buy. There’s so much more to do.

Playing games

We go to the UKGE because we love playing games, so it makes sense that you can actually play games while you’re there. There’s a huge open gaming area which takes up most of Hall 3. It’s made up of rows upon rows of tables and chairs where you can just sit down and start playing something. Maybe a game you brought with, maybe something you’ve bought at the show, or maybe a game you borrowed from the well-stocked library that’s there.

For people like me who don’t get to go to too many conventions each year, it’s a great chance to catch up with old friends, many of whom I only know because I met them at previous conventions. Being able to sit down and play something together is great, and the seating and relative quiet of open gaming is a blessing at times.

Me catching-up with friends at the Open Gaming area in 2022

There are also plenty of games being demonstrated on the show floor. At any given moment you shouldn’t have to walk more than 30ft to find someone wanting to show you their new game. I really encourage you to do it too, you’ll meet some wonderful people and discover games you otherwise never would.

Events

You can sign up for a ton of different events at the show. From tournaments for games like Lorcana and Catan, through to workshops on how to create and run an RPG. There are live podcast recordings, megagames, nerdy music performances, celebrities, and talks. You can sign up to take part in RPGs, paint a miniature and take it home with you, or even learn how to fight with a light saber. There is a plethora of different things to organise and have on your schedule before you even go. Take a look at the UKGE Events page and see if something grabs your fancy.

Things I wish I’d known before I went for the first time

Forewarned is forearemed, so here are my top tips for your first visit to UKGE.

Take good shoes! If you aren’t in a wheelchair or small enough to be carried by someone else, you will spend a lot of time on your feet. The halls of the NEC are huge, as is the walk in from the car park. Most days I struggle to do the recommended 10,000 steps per day. My average steps on a day at the UKGE is +22,000. Make sure you have comfy, supportive footwear. Your feet will thank you.
Food and drink. You’re spoiled for choice when it comes to finding something to eat and drink in the NEC, but it’s not cheap, and around mealtimes the stalls and shops can get very busy. My advice is to go armed with a decent size water bottle, which you can refill from the free water stations around the building. It’s a hot, busy, air-conditioned building, and it’s easy to get dehydrated if you’re too caught up in games. If you don’t want to spend a small fortune on lunch, take some sandwiches or a packed lunch.
Shop and drop. My first stop every year when the show opens is the Shop and drop booth. For £3 you get a ticket and a cardboard box in the back of the booth. As you shop during the day, you can drop off any purchases in your allocated box, and take them whenever you want. They have to be collected before the end of the day, but as long as you remember that then there’s no reason for you to be lugging boxes around all day. Buy your games, drop them off at your box, and then go and get them at the end of the day.
Be conscientious and kind. This is a huge one for me. There are a lot of people at the show, and in some areas things are really cramped. If you take a huge backpack and you’re wearing it, remember when you turn 90 degrees to look at a stall, you’re spinning a battering ram. I’ve seen kids and wheelchair users hit in the face by careless bags. Everyone is excited, everyone wants to see everything, just remember the other humans around you so that they can enjoy it too.