Nottingham Video Games Expo is heading back to the Crowne Plaza in Nottingham on Saturday, July 18, 2026, marking its fifth event anniversary with a day built around retro favourites, indie games, guest speakers, tournaments and plenty more gaming-shaped distractions. Doors open from 11am to 5pm, while VIP ticket holders can get in from 10am for an extra hour of early wandering before everyone else piles in.
That alone would have been enough to get our attention, but the guest list helps too. Kev Bayliss is set to appear, alongside Ocean Software legend Gary Bracey and Amstrad figure Roland Perry, who is also tied to an Amstrad exhibition area at the event. In other words, this is not shaping up to be one of those expos where you turn up, do one loop of the room, and immediately start wondering whether you should have stayed at home with a packet of crisps instead.
A proper mix of retro, indie and community energy
What gives Nottingham Video Games Expo a bit more charm than your average hall full of tables is that it seems to be leaning into variety rather than just stacking sellers in rows and hoping for the best. The official site highlights a new arcade area hosted by Arcade Club, a Dreamcast Junkyard area, a retro gaming section, classic systems from Derby Computer Museum, LAN play including Quake 3 and Minecraft, plus tournaments and gaming zones.
On the indie side, the event is again partnering with Debug for its exhibition space, with this year’s indie area sponsored by Secret Mode. The organisers are promising hands-on access to upcoming games and the chance to meet developers in person, which is exactly the sort of thing that makes these events feel worth the trip instead of just vaguely expensive standing around.
Traders, talks and things you did not plan to buy
There are already traders confirmed, too, including names like Sore Thumb Retro Games and Dream Consoles, with more still to come. That usually means one of two things: either you leave feeling smug because you showed restraint, or you walk out holding something you absolutely did not need but now cannot imagine living without.
VIP tickets for Nottingham Video Games Expo include one hour of early access and 10% off at Dream Consoles, which is a decent little bonus if you are the sort of person who prefers first dibs over fighting through a crowd later on. The venue itself is right in Nottingham city centre on Wollaton Street, and the expo site says ticket holders can use the Crowne Plaza multi-storey car park all day for £5.
A handy Nottingham Video Games Expo ticket discount for our lot
If you are planning to go, you can get 20% off tickets by using the code INDIECENT at checkout.
You are welcome.
Why this one feels worth watching
There is something reassuringly unfussy about Nottingham Video Games Expo. It is clearly aiming to celebrate gaming’s past, present and future in one space, while still keeping that community feel intact rather than disappearing up its own lanyard. The mix of retro hardware, indie games, guest speakers, arcade free play, and traders gives it a nice spread, especially for people who like their gaming events to feel a bit more human and a bit less corporate.
So yes, this one is firmly on our radar. If you fancy a July day spent bouncing between old-school systems, indie showcases, arcade cabinets and guest talks, Nottingham Video Games Expo 2026 looks like it could be well worth a look.
If you want tickets or more event details, head over to the official Nottingham Video Games Expo site.
