The 20th anniversary of the UK Games Expo is officially underway, opening its doors to the press at the NEC Birmingham to showcase a massive weekend for tabletop gaming. While eagle-eyed enthusiasts might have noticed the UKGE Judges’ Choice Awards 2026 circulating on social media a fortnight ago, today’s press preview offered the first formal opportunity to celebrate these titles on the show floor. After months of rigorous playtesting across everything from strategic euros to narrative-driven roleplaying games, the judges have highlighted an impressive spread of mechanics and themes from both powerhouse publishers and rising independent creators.
Here are the 2026 Judges’ Choice winners:
- Best Abstract Game: Ink by FinalScore Games
- Best Accessory: Venetian Quarter Chroma by TT Combat
- Best Adventure, Story or Legacy Game: Vantage by Stonemaier
- Best Board Game American Style: Battle of Hoth by Days of Wonder
- Best Board Game Euro Style: Luthier: The Art of the Instrument by Paverson Games
- Best Board Game Strategic: Epochs: Course of Cultures by Ice Makes Limited
- Best Card Game General: Duel for Cardia by Hans im Gluck
- Best Card Game Strategic: Pondscape by Pink Troubadour
- Best Children’s Game: Splendor Kids by Space Cowboys
- Best Dice Game: Crits & Tricks by Inside Up Games
- Best Expansion: In The Footsteps Of Darwin: Correspondence by Sorry We Are French
- Best Family Game: Sanibel by Avalon Hill
- Best Gaming Novelty: MicroMacro Jigsaw: The Home Game by Edition Spielwiese
- Best Miniatures Range: ArcWorlde: Gremlins! by Warp Miniatures
- Best Miniatures Rules: Hope is for the dead by Wird Designs
- Best Party Game: QORK by The Op Games
- Best Roleplaying Game: Tales of the Old West by Effekt Publishing Ltd
- Best Roleplaying Game Adventure: Call of Cthulhu: The Sutra of Pale Leaves, Twin Suns Rising by Chaosium Inc
- Best Roleplaying Game Expansion: Ryokos Guide to the Yokai Realms by Loot Tavern Publishing
- Best Variant: Disney Villainous Treacherous Tides by Ravensburger
As the exhibition halls prepare to welcome thousands of attendees, the atmosphere in Birmingham suggests a weekend packed full of breaking news and surprise announcements. We will be tracking the latest reveals, testing new tabletop prototypes, and reporting back on the defining trends of this year’s convention as it happens.
You can follow the latest UK Games Expo news, unlike this dated catchup, on our new UKGE hub.
