The biggest board game conventions of 2027 start with Spielwarenmesse in Nuremberg on Tuesday, February 2, 2027, and run through Gen Con in Indianapolis on Thursday, August 5 to Sunday, August 8, 2027, with UK Games Expo, Origins Game Fair and the first PAX Unplugged Houston in between. SPIEL Essen 2027 dates are not announced yet.
Last updated: Monday, October 26, 2026.
This calendar covers the biggest shows only: the large public conventions where publishers launch and demo new games, plus the two major trade shows where the year’s releases get decided. For the crowdfunding launches that follow these shows, see our upcoming Kickstarter and Gamefound tracker.
What are the biggest board game conventions in 2027?
Ten major shows have confirmed 2027 dates as of October 26, 2026, listed here in date order. SPIEL Essen, the largest public show of the year, has not announced its 2027 dates yet.
| Convention | 2027 dates | Location | Who can go |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spielwarenmesse (Nuremberg Toy Fair) | Tuesday, February 2 to Saturday, February 6, 2027 | Messe Nurnberg, Nuremberg, Germany | Trade only |
| Festival International des Jeux (Cannes) | Friday, February 26 to Sunday, February 28, 2027 | Palais des Festivals, Cannes, France | Public |
| Dice Tower West | Wednesday, March 10 to Sunday, March 14, 2027 | Westgate Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada | Public |
| AireCon | Thursday, March 11 to Sunday, March 14, 2027 | Harrogate Convention Centre, Harrogate, UK | Public |
| GAMA Expo | Sunday, April 25 to Thursday, April 29, 2027 | Baltimore Convention Center, Baltimore, Maryland | Trade only |
| UK Games Expo | Friday, June 4 to Sunday, June 6, 2027 | NEC and Hilton Metropole, Birmingham, UK | Public |
| Origins Game Fair | Wednesday, June 9 to Sunday, June 13, 2027 | Greater Columbus Convention Center, Columbus, Ohio | Public |
| PAX Unplugged Houston | Friday, June 25 to Sunday, June 27, 2027 | George R. Brown Convention Center, Houston, Texas | Public, first edition |
| Dice Tower East | Wednesday, June 30 to Sunday, July 4, 2027 | Orlando, Florida | Public |
| Gen Con | Thursday, August 5 to Sunday, August 8, 2027 | Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis, Indiana | Public |
| SPIEL Essen | Not yet announced as of October 26, 2026 | Messe Essen, Essen, Germany | Public |
When is Gen Con 2027?
Gen Con 2027 runs Thursday, August 5 to Sunday, August 8, 2027, at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, Indiana, and badges go on sale in early 2027, according to Gen Con.
It is the convention’s 60th edition. Gen Con describes itself as North America’s largest and longest-running annual event devoted to tabletop gaming culture, and the 2027 show adds event and exhibition space from the convention center expansion, including the new Signia by Hilton hotel opening in February 2027.
When is UK Games Expo 2027?
UK Games Expo 2027 runs Friday, June 4 to Sunday, June 6, 2027, at the NEC in Birmingham and the adjacent Hilton Metropole Hotel.
UK Games Expo is the UK’s largest hobby games convention. Its official site says the 2026 show used six halls at the NEC and drew more than 900 exhibitors, and ticket collection for 2027 opens on Thursday, June 3, 2027, the day before the show.
When is Origins Game Fair 2027?
Origins Game Fair 2027 runs Wednesday, June 9 to Sunday, June 13, 2027, at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio.
Origins is owned and hosted by GAMA, the Game Manufacturers Association, which lists the June 9 to 13, 2027 dates on its Origins page. The show runs more than 7,000 gaming events across its five days, and GAMA retail members get a Trade Day on the Wednesday of the show.
What is new on the 2027 convention calendar?
Two shows change the map in 2027: PAX Unplugged adds a second city, and GAMA Expo moves to a new home.
PAX Unplugged Houston debuts Friday, June 25 to Sunday, June 27, 2027, at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas. ReedPop and Penny Arcade announced it on September 4, 2026, as the second tabletop-focused PAX Unplugged, joining the Philadelphia show that has run since 2017. It will have a large expo floor of analog gaming exhibitors, panels, tournaments and community meetups, and badges go on sale before the end of 2026. Our PAX Unplugged 2026 coverage tracks the Philadelphia show.
GAMA Expo, the tabletop trade show, runs Sunday, April 25 to Thursday, April 29, 2027, at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore, Maryland, its first year in Baltimore after Louisville.
When is SPIEL Essen 2027?
SPIEL Essen has not announced its 2027 dates as of October 26, 2026. This page will be updated the week the dates land.
For how the show works, what it costs and what to play there, see our SPIEL Essen 2026 guide, which covers the 2026 edition and its record crowds.
Which board game conventions are trade only?
Two shows on this calendar are trade only: Spielwarenmesse in Nuremberg and GAMA Expo in Baltimore. Every other show in the table sells public badges or tickets.
Spielwarenmesse, held Tuesday, February 2 to Saturday, February 6, 2027, is the toy and games industry’s big buying fair, where retailers place orders for the year ahead. Cannes, which follows on Friday, February 26 to Sunday, February 28, 2027, is the first big public show of the year, and its Privilege Pass adds early entry from Thursday, February 25, 2027.
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest board game convention in the world?
By public attendance, SPIEL Essen in Germany is the biggest public board game fair, and Gen Con is the largest in North America. Both anchor this calendar, and Essen’s 2027 dates are still to come.
When is PAX Unplugged Philadelphia in 2027?
No 2027 Philadelphia date had been announced as of October 26, 2026. The confirmed 2027 PAX Unplugged date is the new Houston show, June 25 to 27, 2027.
How far ahead should you book a convention trip?
Book hotels as soon as dates are confirmed, because host-city hotels for Gen Con and UK Games Expo sell out months ahead. Badge sales open later: Gen Con badges go on sale in early 2027, and PAX Unplugged Houston badges go on sale before the end of 2026.
Sources: Gen Con press FAQ, UK Games Expo, GAMA, Origins Game Fair, GAMA Expo schedule, Dice Tower West, AireCon, Festival International des Jeux, Cannes, Dice Tower East, and the ReedPop and Penny Arcade PAX Unplugged Houston announcement of September 4, 2026, reported by GamesBeat. Spielwarenmesse dates are from the Spielwarenmesse eG press release of October 5, 2026.
Changelog: Monday, October 26, 2026: page created with the ten confirmed 2027 shows, the GAMA Expo move to Baltimore, the PAX Unplugged Houston debut, and SPIEL Essen listed as not yet announced.
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