The second ever York Board Games Convention saw record attendance this year.
Taking place last weekend (Friday 24 to Sunday 26 October) at its brand new venue of St Peter’s School, the three-day convention welcomed 447 unique guests and a footfall of 972 across the weekend – more than four times larger than last year’s event.
Attendees travelled from across the UK and even as far as Norway to take part in the celebration of tabletop gaming.
Special guests Wilfred Webster and Ivan Brett from series one of BBC’s The Traitors joined in with the fun, and this year the convention also hosted a bustling traders’ hall, featuring 10 fantastic exhibitors – with everything from handcrafted gaming accessories to original artwork, indie titles, and unique gifts for board game lovers.
This year, the York Board Games Convention made entry completely free for anyone aged 16 and under this year.
In a playful twist, attendees were invited to hunt for silver and golden tickets hidden throughout the event. Five lucky guests discovered silver tickets, granting free entry to the 2026 convention, while one golden ticket winner earned lifetime access to all future York Board Games Conventions.
“We’ve been blown away by the enthusiasm and warmth of the community,” said the organisers.
“York has such a strong board gaming scene, and it’s been amazing to see families, friends, and newcomers come together to play and connect. We can’t wait to make next year even bigger and better.”
Plans are already underway for the third instalment next year, which is already aiming to build on this year’s momentum with more tables, more games, and even more ways for everyone to play.
One of the event organisers, Ryan, told YorkMix that they hope to return to St Peter’s School next year.
To keep up to date with the York Board Games Convention, visit their website here.
Gallery
