So I am just back from Salute 2025 at the London ExCeL Centre and boy howdy what an adventure. This was my er, 8th? time at the largest Wargaming convention in the UK and my enthusiasm refuses to diminish for what is reliably an incredible jaunt out of the house. In an effort to raise awareness and shed some light on the epicentre of UK wargaming to those not in the know I am now going to try and convince you to join me there next here. While the reasons to attend this particular shindig are unfathomably endless in my mind, here are my top reasons you should get in on the fun.
Freebies
So long as you turn up in good time staff will be pushing a Salute goody bag into your paws as you get into the queue. These portable little treasure hoards will include the official commemorative mini and D6 dice for that year, as well as… stuff. Often there are extra minis, promo items, vouchers and fliers – sometimes including a heads up that vendors are giving out more free minis at their stalls on the day, and all sorts of other bits and pieces relevant to your interests. For the last few years there has also been a free digital (STL) mini included in the goodybag so make sure to scan that QR code while you still can!
Shopping
If you can think of it, someone is selling a mini of it at Salute. Here are some ACTUAL miniatures I have seen over the years at vendor stalls: A zombie pushing a lawn mower, Demonic cupcakes, cowboy trying to hide the fact they are secretly several racoons in a coat, cheese wizard, 18th century assassins riding ostrich cavalry, etc. It’s madness and I love it. Besides the endless streams of oddities, there are the usual big name games for sale all over the place as well as board games, accessories, terrain, merchandise, LARP props, paints & brushes, dice of every shape and colour, and basically everything else you could need to facilitate your playing with your little war men.
Top tip: I tend not to spend much on the day anymore. My first few shows saw me return with a mountain of resin and plastic that could have tempted Smaug down from the North. These days I have shifted the focus to discovering new suppliers and websites worth plundering when the need arises. It’s so easy to fill your shopping cart with all the shinies but much of the stock on sale will be full price on the day and is often cheaper online so all you are saving is a few quid in postage to load your backpack and spite your spine. Instead, I suggest focusing on genuine bargains and rare discounts that really make carting an extra 25KG round London for the day truly worth your while.
Inspiration
Every time I come back from Salute it’s like being hit by a bullseye from Zeus – I am overcharged with enthusiasm. There is something about walking through aisle after aisle of custom game boards, lovingly painted minis, and middle aged bearded men wordlessly staring into a rule book, that they wrote, trying to work out why they are losing so badly. I find this is always the best cure to analysis paralysis, or to finally claw the shrinkwrap off that back burner project you meant to start 6 years ago.
Top tip: Take plenty of pictures. I always take a battery pack with me so I can keep my phone pumping out photos all day. Just be mindful when going full paparazzi that you don’t disturb ongoing games or damage game boards or minis if leaning over them for close ups. You might find yourself exiled from the ExCeL.
Demos
Plenty of mini focused games, large and small, adored and obscure, will be available to demo for a round or two. What’s nice is the people teaching and showing off the games are often the designers themselves so their passion and enthusiasm shines while you can quiz them about the setting, mechanics, or vibes as much as you like.
Top tip: if you have something specific in mind you want to demo them check out the games socials before the day and see if you need to/can book a slot. Salute can be very busy so if you can book a slot before arriving then do!
Painting competition
If I am honest this is not something I have ever focused on. Perhaps because witnessing the S tier paint jobs on display fills me with a deep sense of inadequacy, or maybe it’s just because there is too much to see. For those more capable and/or interested, Salute does run a painting competition. Once a submission is checked in it moves to the wall of display cabinets for all to see. This is a great way to get inspired and appreciate the 1000s of hours that go into these models, or to convince yourself that you could do better.
Industry chitchat
Another aspect I have yet to dip my toes into are the industry talks. Each year there is a range of talks taking place on all things beard. Game design, hobbying, history of the hobby, gaming etiquette, and all sorts. These make for a nice little break in the chaos and activity of a busy day for those looking to recharge for 30 mins or so. I assume anyway. I’m usually too manic and overstimulated to sit down during my annual visit to paradise.
Cosplay & reenactment.
Well duh. This year we had highlanders, WW2 Desert Rats, a warband straight out of Mordheim and somehow a group of English civil war (I think?) reenactors who had managed to smuggle in a table full of actual swords into the middle of London without ending up in a police van. It’s always a joy to see people living their passions. If you have young kids, and there were plenty thundering around at the knee all day, then seeing their favourite characters marching around in the flesh and metal can be a real jaw dropping, hobby defining moment for them.
Top tip: You’ll find most cosplayers and reenactors are very happy to be photographed just make sure you ask politely. Also, hands off the lovingly crafted costumes and props!
Famous Geeks
For those who watch more YouTube than Netflix you are bound to recognise a few faces at Salute. This year I witnessed everyone’s favourite colourful goblin lady from Rogue Hobbies and the eternal legend Duncan Rhodes, wearing only one coat surprisingly. My friends spotted plenty more wandering around, participating in talks, sat at stools plugging their merchandise, etc. This makes Salute a lovely opportunity to grab a photograph or autograph with some of your favourite faces in the hobby. Again, just make sure to be polite and ask first as these poor people have probably faced a wave of enthusiasm all day so go easy on them!
So see you next year?
Thank you for coming to my TED talk about why you need to hit up Salute 53 next year. I’ll leave you with this fun little bingo list to tick off when you join us at Salute in 2026. If you can hit all 11 then you know you have finally found your people:
● New Rock boots with 6 inch wedges.
● Patient and understanding partners sat at the edge of the hall all day reading a book.
● A game board that lights up – lava, candlelight castle windows, neon lights around a cyberpunk tower block, etc.
● Warhammer tattoos
● Unexpectedly exotic emotional support animal – Stoat, hedgehog, monitor lizard, camel, etc.
● Someone wearing one backpack on their front, one backpack on their back, a messenger bag on each shoulder and a bag for life in each hand – all full.
● A wargame with a setting that you had never considered before but looks awesome.
● Vendors selling their own game whilst cosplaying a character from said game.
● Amateur photographer with a camera lens so long and thick it looks like the main armament to a German tank.
● A dice shape you have never seen before, for example, a 17 sided dice.
● Hasvik
About the author:
Hasvik is as Hasvik does. Hasvik enjoys wargaming, TTRPGS, and board games, as well as Jaffa Cakes, frogs, and rolling my dice on the floor to intimidate my opponent. Hasvik has no socials and cannot be followed for he travels only the hidden paths.
