Imagine stepping into your favourite board game and playing it for real. That's exactly what's happening in Leeds this summer! The city centre has been transformed into a giant version of Trivial Pursuit, giving families, friends, and trivia lovers a brand-new way to explore the city. The free event officially launched over the weekend, with around 12,000 people taking part in its opening days alone. It's safe to say the people of Leeds have rolled the dice on this one!
Explore. Learn. Play!
Running until 30 August, Trivial Pursuit Leeds turns the city itself into the game board. Players collect a game card before heading out across the city centre to answer questions, earn wedges, and work their way towards the final challenge. The route takes players through several well-known Leeds locations, including Wellington Place, Trinity Leeds, and the Merrion Centre. Once every category has been completed, the adventure finishes with one last question at Leeds City Museum.
The best part? It won't cost you a penny to join in!
All about Leeds!
Unlike the classic version of Trivial Pursuit, every question has been written specifically for Leeds. Players can test their knowledge on the city's history, famous people, sporting achievements, culture, and surprising facts from the past 400 years.
It's a clever twist on one of the world's best-known board games. Even lifelong Leeds residents are likely to discover something they didn't already know! The event has been organised by LeedsBID in partnership with Hasbro as part of the city's Leeds 400 celebrations. The milestone marks 400 years since Leeds received its royal charter in 1626, making this much more than just a game. It's also a celebration of the city's incredible story.
A screen-free summer win!
Finding activities that get everyone away from phones and tablets isn't always easy. That's one reason events like this have become so popular. Board games have enjoyed a huge resurgence over the last few years, with the UK hobby continuing to grow as more families look for fun ways to spend time together offline. Whether it's classic games like Trivial Pursuit or modern strategy titles, people are discovering that sitting around a table together still beats scrolling through a screen.
Trivial Pursuit Leeds takes that idea one step further by bringing the game into the real world. Instead of sitting indoors, players are walking around the city, solving questions, chatting, and discovering new places along the way. It's a great mix of fresh air, friendly competition, and learning something new!
More than just trivia!
Each question stop also doubles as a mini exhibition, giving visitors the chance to see some fascinating pieces of Leeds history.
Among the highlights are the original BBC Children in Need Pudsey Bear created in 1985, a signed Leeds United 2025 to 2026 home shirt, a colourful Rock 'n' Roll Panto Dame costume from the famous City Varieties Music Hall, and a special Coronation jacket made using cloth produced by local textile manufacturer AW Hainsworth. These displays add another layer to the experience, making every stop feel a little different from the last.
Familiar faces join the fun!
Players won't be exploring alone either; digital hosts help guide visitors through the experience, with familiar names including television presenter Alex Zane, historian Ruth Goodman, and cricket commentator Daniel Norcross appearing throughout the trail.
There's also plenty of humour thanks to the delightfully cheesy hosts Trivia Newton-John and Quiz Pine, who keep the atmosphere light and playful from start to finish.
Could this be the future?
Martin Dickson from LeedsBID described the launch weekend as a huge success, with thousands of people exploring the city while celebrating everything that makes Leeds unique. He also suggested that this could become a new way for cities to create memorable summer events, especially as families continue to look for activities that encourage spending time together away from screens.
Hasbro's Hannah Sweeney agreed, explaining that Trivial Pursuit Leeds naturally followed the success of Monopoly Leeds. This latest project puts curiosity, local knowledge, and community at the centre of the experience while helping celebrate an important year for the city.
Ready to Roll?
Board games have always had a way of bringing people together, whether it's around the kitchen table or during a fiercely competitive games night. Trivial Pursuit Leeds proves they can do the same thing on a much bigger scale!
If you're visiting Leeds before 30 August, this is a fantastic excuse to explore the city differently. Grab a game card, gather your teammates, and see if you've got what it takes to collect every wedge. You might even learn a few surprising facts along the way!
