What's On
A massive board game festival returns to Manchester city centre this month
Dice at the ready and cosplay encouraged.
Danny Jones -
23rd April 2025 
Tabletop fans, get ready for the biggest board game bonanza and gaming festival of the year as it returns to Manchester this month.
Yes, Manchester Board Game Festival (MBGF) is back for 2025, and we know you hear this a lot, but it really is bigger and better than ever – just wait until you find out where it’s being held this year…
Hosted by beloved local organisation Dungeons and Flagons, who are responsible for regular D&D and tabletop nights all over Greater Manchester every week, you can expect an expertly organised day of gaming, trading, talks and tonnes more.
Spanning a full weekend starting from Friday, 25 April and lasting until Sunday, the real challenge is seeing how many games you can squeeze in.
What to expect from Manchester Board Game Festival 2025
So, what exactly is on the table – pun very much intended – for MBGF 2025? Well, all of this, for starters:
- 500+ games in the Dungeons and Flagons (D&F) games library with friendly hosts to help you find the perfect pick.
- RPG sessions, seminars and bookable games like Blood on the Clocktower across the weekend.
- A bustling ‘bring and buy’ sale and the popular PTW (play-to-win) shelf.
- Speed gaming and party game zones for easy drop-in play.
- The return of the infamous Board Game Pub Quiz & Bingo, raising money for charity
Local board game fans may have come across their D&F’s Tabletop Weekender back in February 2024, or maybe seen one of their events at a random Manc pub even in the past week, but this is their most ambitious date of the year.
Better still, there’s a whole separate event within the festival taking place across the Saturday and Sunday, specifically, which should draw big crowds in its own right.
The MCR Geek Fayre
As unapologetically nerdy as it sounds, ‘The MCR Geek Fayre’ promises a vibrant marketplace of 37 indie traders from around the area and beyond.
Showcasing everything from art, board games, TTRPGs (tabletop roleplaying), accessories and lots more, the fair will run from the 26-27 and, just like the festival itself, its merely the first one the year – you can expect plenty more fun through the remainder of 2025.
With all that festivity, it only seems fitting that this year’s activities take place in a venue steeped in its own rich lore, as MBGF ’25 is set to be held in the legendary Sachas Hotel.
Speaking ahead of this year’s Manchester Board Game Festival, founder James Oxley said: “We’re so excited to be back with an even bigger event. MBGF is all about creating a space where people can connect, play, and discover new games and friends.”
With the first two days running all the way until midnight and still from 10am-8pm on Sunday, it’s a full-on, all-action weekend purpose-built for anyone who considers themselves an avid tabletop fan.
You can find out more information and grab your tickets from just £12.50 HERE. Happy gaming!
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Featured Images — @hannahreeves.jpeg (supplied)
