Britcon 2027
Britcon 2027 — The UK's Biggest Historical Wargames Convention
Britcon is the flagship event of the British Historical Games Society (BHGS): a three-day residential, multi-period, multi-ruleset historical wargames convention built around a two-day public wargames trade show. It is the UK's biggest historical wargames convention and the largest gathering of its kind in the East Midlands.
Next edition: 13–15 August 2027 (Friday–Sunday), at The Venue@DMU, 20 Western Boulevard, Leicester LE2 7BU — Britcon's traditional "second full weekend in August" slot. The BHGS confirmed these dates in their 16 September 2026 news update: "make sure you pencil Britcon 2027 into your diary, as we will be back at De Montfort University in ... Leicester in our traditional 'second full weekend in August' slot of the 13th–15th August next year."
What's on
- 20+ historical competition periods and rulesets, including flagship tournaments such as the Warlord Games Bolt Action Grand Tournament and the Gripping Beast Saga Grand Melee. Competitor entry is by pre-booked ticket only.
- The Britcon Trade Show — over 50 traders in recent years (Warlord Games, Forged in Battle, Perry Miniatures and others), plus demo and participation games and a well-stocked Bring & Buy. It is Leicester's only current wargames trade show.
- Social and organised gaming across Friday evening to Sunday, a wargamers' bar, onsite catering, and gaming space spread over The Venue@DMU plus the immediately adjacent QEII Leisure Centre.
- Britcon is sponsored by Forged in Battle.
Practical information
- Trade show opening hours (last published, 2026 edition): Saturday 10:00–17:00 and Sunday 10:00–15:00. Admission is £3 on the door; under-16s free. Advance registration typically closes ahead of the show.
- Venue: The Venue@DMU, 20 Western Boulevard, Leicester LE2 7BU — a former Spitfire factory, later a sports hall, now fully refurbished as a dedicated flat-floored event space with full catering and kitchen facilities.
- Getting there: Leicester mainline station is about a 20-minute walk (2 hours direct from London St Pancras); East Midlands Airport is ~28 miles away via the Skylink bus to Long Eaton. Use postcode LE2 7BU for the front of the venue. There is no onsite parking, but DMU pay-and-display car parks are within a 10-minute walk; a limited number of disabled spaces can be reserved via the BHGS.
- Accommodation: a limited number of student rooms in New Wharf Hall, next to the venue, are bookable with tickets (2-night stays, Friday and Saturday). The BHGS also lists local hotels such as the Holiday Inn (129 St Nicholas Circle, Leicester LE1 5LX).
Organiser
British Historical Games Society (BHGS) — https://www.bhgs.org.uk/britcon.html
Register for entry or booths
Venue Map and Hotels Around
Leicester - The Venue@DMU, Leicester, United Kingdom