The one event any tabletop gamer needs in their calendar is the UK Games Expo. Although, full disclosure I write that sentence as someone who attended their first Expo this year (despite being a tabletop fan for the better part of a decade). Even then, I wasn't there as a regular ticket holder because I was lucky enough to be part of the Zatu team, demoing some of the latest games to the public.
Thankfully I wasn't alone, almost a dozen of the Zatu blogging community were brought along to showcase a wide variety of games across the three day event. For many of them it was their first time at the event and, like me, their first time demoing to such a large crowd, with more than 50,000 attendees.
As of writing, the Expo finished just over a week ago, and I’ve reached out to my fellow demo team and asked them to share advice based on their time at this year's UK Games Expo.
Come Prepared
UK Games Expo spans three days and runs from 9 am to 6 pm. That is a long day under any circumstances, let alone when you are on your feet, talking, teaching, and hauling games around. Even as a regular attendee you are walking the floor, weaving in and out of stands. No matter why you are there you need to treat the Expo like a marathon and plan accordingly.
Multiple members of the demo team suggested:
"Bring a packed lunch and arrive early (before the show if you are an exhibitor) to maximize the time you can spend on the show floor."
Likewise, comfy footwear was a recurring comment from everyone on the demo team. Although fair warning that no matter how sturdy your shoes are, carrying armfuls of newly purchased games will leave you exhausted so I’d also bring a sturdy backpack.
Enjoy Playing
The demo team played the same handful of games for three days straight, many of us learned that keeping the same level of energy on the first and thirtieth playthroughs is a challenge. But the majority of the team found that whether they were running rapid-fire rounds of Stack O' Cats or walking people through a game of Tenby we weren’t just there to teach rules. We were there to play and have fun with those who were interested in the games.
Darren, who was showcasing Thief’s Market put it well:
"Don't stress too much about teaching, the attendees are lovely and appreciate you taking the time to show them." — Darren Colley
Naomi echoed that sentiment and took it a step further, encouraging the team to be open-minded about the games they were presenting:
"Play games even if you're not sure about them." — Naomi Scott
Be Flexible
As mentioned above, demoing is about having fun with the people who have chosen to stop at your table. That means you cannot simply recite the rulebook at them, instead you need to give people the chance to play and let them decide what they like.
Chris, who was demoing the dungeon crawler Kinfire Delve, suggested that:
"If the game is complex, don't be afraid to cut certain sections of gameplay short so that people get the chance to try out different aspects of a game." — Chris Ridley
Another of the bloggers, Edwyn, was demoing at a different stand but agreed with this flexible approach:
One lesson I've learned from my experience demoing games at UKGE, and one that felt especially true in 2026 when I was demoing a TTRPG for the first time, is that the rules don't matter quite as much as you think they do. Of course, understanding the rules is important, that's how players get a feel for the game or, in this case, the system. But the main purpose of a demo is to give people a taste of the overall experience. If you don't cover every tiny detail, that's okay. Those are things players can discover later when they sit down with the full game. This is especially true for unreleased or prototype games, where the rules may not even be finalised yet. While demoing Warhammer: The Old World Roleplaying Game this year, I had a hugely varied audience, from families and curious passers-by to veteran WFRP players and dedicated Warhammer fans. Because of that, there were times when I needed to bend the rules slightly to give the table the best possible experience. At an event like UKGE, where there's so much competing for people's attention, they've chosen to spend an hour sitting at your table. The goal isn't to teach every rule; it's to immerse them in the game and leave them wanting more. – Edwyn Stanyer
Take Some Time for Yourself
This one is very much personal advice, especially for any fellow introverts. Large crowds, heat, and noise are a lot to deal with. For those demoing, add hours of conversation and repeated run-throughs of the same game and it can get exhausting in a way that is hard to explain until you experience it.
Whether you are attending or demoing at UKGE, give yourself permission to step away. On one of the evenings, the demo team wanted to play a few rounds of Skull. Before joining them I slipped away for fifteen minutes to sit with my Kindle and a pint. It sounds small, but that break was enough to keep my energy high for another day of demoing
The Expo has become an event to highlight in my calendar, it’s an opportunity to be surrounded by an enormous, growing community of people who share my enthusiasm for the hobby. For those of us lucky enough to be part of the Zatu team this year, it was an experience we will not forget. Hopefully those attending next year can use some of this advice to make next year even more of a success.
