The Ultimate Bucket List: Must-Attend Board Game Conventions in 2025!

Introduction

Board game conventions capture the energy, creativity, and community of the tabletop world. From small local gatherings to vast international expos, these events are where board gaming truly comes alive.

In recent years, board games have enjoyed a global resurgence. Conventions have become not only a place to discover the hottest new releases but also a venue to meet designers, participate in tournaments, and connect with fellow enthusiasts. Whether you’re a seasoned gamer or a curious newcomer, there’s a convention calling your name.

In this article, we’ll explore some of the most notable board game conventions of 2025 — from Europe’s legendary SPIEL Essen to North America’s iconic Gen Con and beyond. Each one offers a unique experience and a chance to immerse yourself in the ever-growing world of tabletop gaming.

Board Game Conventions

Festival International des Jeux

Festival International des Jeux – Cannes, France

The Festival International des Jeux returned in 2025, from February 26 to March 2, at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès in Cannes. This 38th edition set a new record, drawing over 110,000 attendees and expanding to a massive 60,000 m² — a third larger than in previous years. The festival now features both indoor and outdoor zones, including a sprawling festival village, a rooftop labyrinth, a food court, and event spaces along the Croisette.

A centrepiece of the event, the As d’Or – Jeu de l’Année awards ceremony again crowned innovative board games. At the 2025 event, Odin by Yohan Goh, Hope S. Hwang, and Gary Kim (published by Helvetiq) earned the top honour.

Since its debut in 1987, FIJ has grown into a landmark gathering for gamers, designers, publishers, and families. It remains one of Europe’s largest conventions, offering demos, tournaments, meet-and-greets, and a unique chance to experience the breadth of tabletop and digital game design in one place.

UK Games Expo

UK Games Expo – NEC Birmingham, UK

Returning for 2025, the UK Games Expo ran from Friday, 30 May to Sunday, 1 June at the NEC Birmingham and Hilton Metropole Hotel, marking the 19th year of the UK’s largest hobby games convention.

This year’s edition drew a record-breaking 42,000 unique visitors and a total attendance of over 72,000, representing a 10 % increase in gate entries and a nearly 7 % rise in unique attendees compared to the previous year.

The expo showcased an incredible range of board, card, role-playing, and family games, and featured seminars, tournaments, and a well-curated family zone for younger players.

A highlight of the weekend was the UK Games Expo Awards. New, streamlined categories this year included People’s Choice awards for Family, General, Strategy, and Roleplaying, with winners such as Harmonies (Family), Australis (General), SETI: Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (Strategy), and The One Ring – Moria (Roleplaying).

Established in 2007 and growing steadily, the UK Games Expo remains a must-visit event for game enthusiasts of all levels—from families and casual players to industry professionals and designers.

Origins Game Fair

Origins Game Fair – Greater Columbus Convention Center, Columbus, OH

The Origins Game Fair celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2025, running from June 18 to 22 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, continuing a tradition that began in 1975.

The fair continues to thrive, featuring more than 6,000 tabletop events, including board games, RPGs, miniatures, and special programming such as a Film Festival, cosplay contest, comedy shows, and anime tracks. In 2024 alone, attendance reached 17,706 unique attendees, a 9% increase from 2023, with the event count rising by about 6% year-over-year.

A key highlight remains the Origins Awards, recognising excellence in game design and publishing. At the 2025 ceremony, Marvel United: Multiverse won Co‑Op / Solo Game, Seaside took Gateway Game, Flip 7 won Party Game, and Endeavor: Deep Sea was awarded Heavy Strategy Game.

This landmark event marks a pilgrimage for hobbyists, families, and industry professionals alike. Whether diving into thousands of gaming sessions or celebrating award-winning titles, Origins continues to set the standard among North America’s most essential board game conventions.

Gen Con

Gen Con – Indiana Convention Center & Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis

Marking another milestone, Gen Con 2025 (officially July 31–August 3) welcomed a sold-out, record-breaking crowd of nearly 72,000 unique attendees—surpassing all previous attendance records for North America’s longest-running tabletop gaming convention.

Across four packed days, more than 30,000 events and activities engaged fans—from board and card games to RPGs, miniatures, cosplay, panels, and the celebrated Gen Con Costume Contest. The Exhibit Hall buzzed with over 575 exhibitors, offering demos, merchandise, art, and insider experiences.

The event also had a significant economic impact, with over $82 million flowing into local businesses, including hotels, restaurants, and entertainment venues. The beloved Block Party activation continued, featuring local food trucks, beverage partners such as Sun King Brewery, and open-air entertainment that added to the festive atmosphere.

Established in 1968 by Dungeons & Dragons co-creator Gary Gygax, Gen Con has grown into the premier tabletop gaming convention in North America, serving hobbyists, families, designers, and industry buyers alike. Few events today can match its legacy, scale, or continuing evolution.

Dragon Con

Dragon Con – Downtown Atlanta, GA

Dragon Con 2025 is scheduled for Thursday, August 28, to Monday, September 1, once again taking over five downtown Atlanta hotels and the AmericasMart convention center.

The convention consistently draws over 80,000 attendees, making it one of the largest multimedia pop culture and gaming gatherings in North America. Known for its eclectic programming, Dragon Con blends tabletop and digital gaming, role-playing sessions, and live-action role-playing (LARP) with a vast array of sci-fi, fantasy, comics, cosplay, film, and TV fandom events.

Signature attractions include the spectacular Dragon Con Parade, which marches through downtown Atlanta each year, as well as a full gaming track with open play, tournaments, and demos of both indie and major publisher titles.

Since its founding in 1987, Dragon Con has become a hub for fans to celebrate creativity, imagination, and community. It remains a bucket-list convention that bridges pop culture and gaming in a uniquely immersive environment.

Spiel Essen

SPIEL Essen – Messe Essen, Germany

The world’s largest board game trade fair, SPIEL Essen 2025, will run from Thursday, October 2, to Sunday, October 5, at Messe Essen.

Since its founding in 1983, SPIEL has grown into the undisputed global hub of board gaming, attracting over 150,000 visitors from more than 50 countries and showcasing the latest creations from hundreds of publishers. In 2024, more than 850 exhibitors presented thousands of new titles, confirming SPIEL’s unmatched scale and influence.

The fair is legendary for its new game releases, giving attendees the chance to try and buy titles months before they reach wider markets. Exclusive editions, designer signings, tournaments, and family-friendly demo zones add to the unique experience.

Industry professionals, designers, media, and passionate hobbyists alike make SPIEL a truly international celebration of gaming culture. Whether hunting for the hottest upcoming Eurogame, discovering indie gems, or expanding a personal collection, SPIEL Essen remains a must-visit pilgrimage for board game fans worldwide.

PAX Unplugged

PAX Unplugged – Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia

PAX Unplugged 2025 will return from December 5–7 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, continuing its role as the PAX family’s dedicated celebration of tabletop gaming.

Since its launch in 2017, Unplugged has rapidly established itself as one of North America’s most important tabletop-focused conventions. It now hosts hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of attendees, featuring board games, card games, RPGs, miniatures, and demos of the newest releases.

Hallmarks of the show include the Omegathon mega-tournament, where randomly selected contestants battle across surprise games, and the sprawling free-play library offering thousands of titles for open gaming. Attendees can also enjoy panels featuring designers, publishers, and industry experts, offering insider insights into design and publishing trends.

PAX Unplugged is praised for its inclusive, welcoming atmosphere, drawing everyone from families and casual players to hardcore hobbyists. For anyone seeking an end-of-year celebration of tabletop gaming, Unplugged has become a must-attend tradition.

Conclusion

We’ve journeyed through 2025’s board game conventions — from the scenic shores of Cannes to the bustling halls of Essen and the vibrant streets of Indianapolis and Atlanta. These gatherings remind us that the heart of tabletop gaming isn’t just in the games themselves, but in the communities that bring them to life.

The continued rise of board games shows the timeless joy of sitting around a table, rolling dice, and sharing stories. Each convention is more than an event — it’s a living celebration of creativity, imagination, and connection.

Whether you’re a veteran gamer with shelves full of classics or a newcomer eager to discover your first favourite, there’s a place for you at these conventions. They serve as gateways to discovering new games, meeting like-minded enthusiasts, and even transitioning from player to creator.

As the future of tabletop gaming unfolds, these conventions will remain cornerstones — nurturing innovation, building community, and keeping the spirit of play alive. If you have the chance to attend, don’t just pass through: become part of the story.

And if you’d like a taste of the experience closer to home, start small by visiting one of the great spots on our list of board game cafés. Who knows? It might be your first step toward the magic of the convention floor.

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