This year, I finally made it to my first UK Games Expo, and it did not disappoint. Held at the NEC in Birmingham, it's the UK's biggest celebration of tabletop games—and I spent the weekend surrounded by dice, meeples, lightsabers, and an incredible community of fellow enthusiasts.
Even better, I got to share the whole adventure with my sister, sister-in-law, brother, brother-in-law, husband, and dad. It made every moment—from game demos to unexpected wins—even more fun.
Pre-Game at the Airbnb: Blood on the Clocktower
Before the convention even began, we kicked things off with a game night at our Airbnb, where I ran my first-ever sessions of Blood on the Clocktower as the Storyteller. I’d been wanting to try it for ages, and getting to debut it with my family was the perfect way to start the weekend.
The game quickly descended into delicious chaos—accusations flew, secret roles were revealed, and there were plenty of dramatic moments (and laughs). It was a brilliant way to get everyone in the Expo spirit before the main event.
Lightsabers and Jedi Moves
One of the standout moments during the Expo was the lightsaber training session with the Saber Guild, where my husband and sister-in-law got to learn choreographed combat from fully costumed Jedi and Sith.
It was incredibly well done—part performance, part combat training, all immersive fun. I loved watching them get into character and swing their lightsabers like pros. Definitely tempted to try it next year!
Flicks and Friendlies: Crokinole Tournament
Several of us took part in the Crokinole tournaments, and it quickly became one of the most addictive parts of the weekend. If you’ve never played, Crokinole is a classic dexterity game that’s easy to learn but super satisfying.
We didn’t win anything on the day, but that didn’t matter—we had a great time flicking discs and getting a bit competitive. And then came the twist…
Surprise! A Gaming Table Win 🎉
After the Expo had wrapped up and we were back home, my sister and brother-in-law got the shock of a lifetime—they found out they’d won a custom gaming table in a prize draw!
We were all totally stunned (and a little jealous in the best way). Out of thousands of attendees, their names got picked. Their game nights are going to be legendary now—and yes, we’re all inviting ourselves over.
A Special Second-Hand Pickup
One of the more personal highlights for me was picking up some second-hand games I’d pre-arranged with two Instagram friends. We’d coordinated the hand-off before the Expo, and it was such a lovely example of how the board game community connects people.
Not only did I get some fantastic games at great prices, but I also got to meet some online friends in real life—which made the pickups feel extra special.
Final Thoughts
My first UK Games Expo was everything I hoped for—fun, welcoming, packed with great moments, and full of things I already want to revisit next year. From flicking Crokinole discs and running Clocktower sessions to watching Jedi duels and scoring second-hand gems, the whole weekend was unforgettable.
Already counting the days until next year. Maybe by then, I’ll be the one winning a gaming table!