Events

Dungeons & Dragons Fan Expo London 2026: Cast, Dates & Tickets

Dungeons & Dragons is getting its very own fan expo, and it’s going big.

Published

1 hour ago

27 February 2026

Dungeons & Dragons is getting its very own fan expo, and it’s going big. Wizards of the Coast has partnered with AEG Presents to bring a two-day D&D celebration to The O2 Arena in London on 21-22 August 2026, and if that line-up is anything to go by, this could be one of the most exciting tabletop events the UK has ever seen.

The Short Version

Friday 21 August kicks off at Indigo at The O2 with a live one-shot from High Rollers, the UK’s biggest actual play group who are currently celebrating their tenth anniversary. Then on Saturday 22 August, the main O2 Arena, yes, the full 20,000-capacity arena, hosts a live actual play spectacular featuring an absolute dream team of voice actors and D&D performers.

Tickets go on general sale Friday 6 March at 10am via dndfanexpo.com. There’s a presale for AEG Presents newsletter subscribers from 10am on Wednesday 4 March, and a venue presale through The O2 on Thursday 5 March at 10am.

That Cast Though

Right, let’s talk about who’s actually playing on that Saturday night. Jasmine Bhullar, known as ThatBronzeGirl, is running the game as Dungeon Master. If you know, you know. She’s the DM behind Dimension 20‘s Coffin Run, the creator of DesiQuest, and has written and performed for Critical Role and Acquisitions Incorporated. She’s one of the most versatile DMs working in actual play right now.

Sitting around the table? Four members of the Baldur’s Gate 3 cast: Neil Newbon (Astarion), Samantha Béart (Karlach), Devora Wilde (Lae’zel), and Theo Solomon (Wyll). That’s four of the six origin companions from one of the biggest RPGs ever made, all playing D&D together on stage. If you’ve ever wanted to see the people behind those characters improvise their way through a live campaign, this is your shot.

Rounding out the party are Anjali Bhimani (Symmetra in Overwatch, plus she’s a frequent presence on Critical Role and is actually part of the DesiQuest cast alongside Bhullar) and Jasper Cartwright, co-founder of the award-winning 3 Black Halflings podcast and a Dimension 20 alumnus through Rotating Heroes and Oaths & Empires.

High Rollers’ Big Anniversary Moment

High Rollers hit their tenth anniversary in January 2026, which makes this August show a continuation of what’s been a massive year for the group. DM Mark Hulmes and the crew, Kim Richards, Chris Trott, Katie Morrison, Rhiannon Gower, and Tom Hazell, have been running their current campaign, Altheya: The Dragon Empire, and are also in the middle of a Kickstarter for the Altheya campaign setting sourcebook.

The official expo site specifically says they’ll be bringing the world of Altheya to the Indigo stage, so expect a one-shot set in their homebrew world rather than an off-the-shelf adventure. For High Rollers fans, that’s a big deal.

What Else Is Happening?

Beyond the headline shows, both days will feature panels and Q&A sessions with creators and performers, gaming tables where you can actually sit down and play, traders from across the D&D ecosystem, and cosplay meetups. The organisers have promised more announcements before August, including meet-and-greet and photo op add-ons.

It’s worth noting that Friday’s High Rollers show requires a separate ticket from the main Saturday event, though VIP upgrades are available. Saturday’s main event ticket gets you access to all the daytime activities plus the evening arena show.

Easter Egg Watch

The cast list is absolutely stacked with Baldur’s Gate 3 connections, but there’s one notable absence: we’ve got Astarion, Karlach, Lae’zel, and Wyll represented, but no Shadowheart (Jennifer English) and no Gale (Tim Downie). The press release does say “more announcements to follow.” So it will be interesting to see how this unfolds.

And keep an eye on the staging. The press release mentions “bespoke staging designed to immerse fans directly into the campaign.” For a venue the size of The O2, that could mean some seriously ambitious set design. The production values could be something we’ve never seen from a live D&D event before.

Also: this is being billed as the “first ever official D&D fan expo.” The word “first” is doing a lot of heavy lifting there. If this goes well, expect it to become an annual event, and potentially expand to other cities.

Why This Actually Matters

D&D being played live in the main O2 Arena is a genuine milestone for tabletop gaming in the UK. This isn’t a side room at a comic convention. This is the same venue that hosts Beyoncé and the NBA. The fact that an actual play show can headline that space says something real about where tabletop gaming sits in the culture right now.

Whether you’re a seasoned player who’s been rolling dice since the THAC0 days or you got into D&D because of Baldur’s Gate 3 or Stranger Things, this feels like the kind of event that’s worth paying attention to.

Tickets go on sale Friday 6 March at 10am. We’d suggest signing up for the AEG Presents presale if you want the best chance of getting in.

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Events

UK & Ireland Comic Cons 2026: Your Complete Convention Calendar

Every major comic con, anime expo, and fandom event happening in the UK and Ireland in 2026. Dates, venues, guests, and what you need to know.

Published

2 months ago

3 January 2026

Falco Janssens

Why 2026 Is Shaping Up to Be Massive

If you’ve been to a UK con in the past few years, you’ve probably noticed the crowds getting bigger, the guest lists getting wilder, and venues scrambling to keep up. That trend isn’t slowing down.

2026 is already shaping up with some interesting patterns worth watching: MegaCon’s aggressive expansion across four cities, MCM holding down both spring and autumn London dates plus a Birmingham return, and anime events finally getting the venue upgrades they deserve. Whether you’re chasing voice actor autographs, competing in cosplay, or just hunting for that one obscure figure at the vendor hall, there’s something here for you.

Here’s everything announced so far, month by month.

January 2026

MegaCon Live Dublin Dates: January 17–18 | Venue: RDS, Dublin, Ireland

Kicking off the year with a stacked voice actor lineup including Kari Wahlgren (Haruko in FLCL), Barbara Goodson (Rita Repulsa herself), and Anairis Quinones. If you’re into anime dubs, this is your first must-attend of the year. The guest list also includes Colin Baker and Nicola Bryant for the Doctor Who crowd—an interesting mix that suggests MegaCon is casting a wide net.

MegaCon Live London Dates: January 24–25 | Venue: ExCeL Convention Centre, London

Same week, different city. Many of the Dublin guests are doing double duty here, including the Iron Man comics legend Bob Layton. Worth noting: ExCeL is massive, which usually means better vendor variety but more walking. Plan accordingly.

Exeter Comic-Con Date: January 31 | Venue: Matford Centre, Exeter

Paul McGann (the Eighth Doctor) headlines alongside Colin Baker, making this a quiet gem for Who fans in the southwest. Ross Mullan—the man behind multiple White Walkers in Game of Thrones—rounds out a guest list that punches above its weight for a regional con.

February 2026

AnimeCon Manchester Dates: February 28 – March 1 | Venue: Manchester Central Convention Complex

Three days including workshops, silent disco, and karaoke—plus Kaiji Tang and Zeno Robinson on the guest roster. The Lego and Minecraft zones make this more family-friendly than some anime events, if you’re planning to bring younger fans along.

March 2026

Kaizoku-Con Dates: March 20–22 | Venue: University College Cork, Ireland

Student-run and proud of it. The name means “pirate” in Japanese, and the vibe matches—scrappier, more community-focused, with a cosplay competition and light show. Guests TBA, but worth watching if you’re in Ireland and want something different from the MegaCon circuit.

MegaCon Live Birmingham Dates: March 28–29 | Venue: The NEC Birmingham

The NEC is a beast of a venue—you could genuinely get lost in there. Guests TBA, but MegaCon’s track record suggests expect a mix of anime VAs, classic sci-fi actors, and comic creators. The kids zone makes this one of the better options for families.

May 2026

MCM Comic Con London Dates: May 22–24 | Venue: ExCeL Convention Centre, London

The big one. MCM London is the UK’s flagship pop culture event, and if you can only make one con this year, this is usually the one to prioritise. Three days of gaming, anime, and pop culture—guests TBA at time of writing, but historically this is where you see major TV and film announcements, surprise appearances, and the most elaborate cosplay outside of Japan.

June 2026

AnimeCon Birmingham Dates: June 12–14 | Venue: National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham

David Matranga (Shoto Todoroki in My Hero Academia, among dozens of other roles) is confirmed. Same DNA as the Manchester event—workshops, panels, silent disco—but in the Midlands. The NEC location means excellent transport links if you’re coming from anywhere in England.

SunnyCon Anime Expo Dates: June 19–21 | Venue: St. James’ Park (Newcastle United Football Ground), Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Yes, that St. James’ Park. There’s something surreal about an anime expo in a Premier League stadium, and SunnyCon leans into the uniqueness. Cosplay guests Advent Dragon Creations and Bat and Blossom Cosplay are confirmed—worth following if you’re into costume crafting.

July 2026

MegaCon Live Manchester Dates: July 25–26 | Venue: Manchester Central

MegaCon’s fourth UK city of the year. Guests TBA, but if the pattern holds, expect some crossover with their other 2026 events. Manchester Central is a solid mid-size venue—big enough for variety, small enough you won’t need GPS to navigate.

August 2026

Tokonatsu Dates: August 6–10 | Venue: Boyd Memorial Camp Site & Activity Centre, Henlow, Bedfordshire

This one’s different. Five days of camping combined with anime, cosplay, and a matsuri (Japanese festival) atmosphere. If you’ve ever wanted to do a con that’s more “experience” than “event,” Tokonatsu is it. The Toko Arcade and tabletop gaming run late into the night. Not for everyone, but if it’s for you, it’s really for you.

MCM Comic Con Birmingham Dates: August 7–9 | Venue: NEC Birmingham

MCM’s Midlands return. Expect TV and film stars, independent creators, and strong UK cosplay presence. MCM describes it as having “all the little moments you just don’t get anywhere else”—which tracks. The Birmingham events tend to feel slightly more intimate than the London megashows while still pulling solid guests.

Kitacon Dates: August 14–16 | Venue: Warwick Arts Centre / University of Warwick, Coventry

University campus setting gives this one a different energy—more intimate, more community-driven. Covers the full geek spectrum: anime, video games, cosplay. Worth considering if you want something between a massive expo and a tiny local meetup.

October 2026

MCM Comic Con London Dates: October 23–25 | Venue: ExCeL Convention Centre, London

MCM’s autumn return. If you missed the May event (or just can’t get enough), this is your second shot at the UK’s biggest pop culture gathering. Music, gaming, anime, comics—the full spread. October dates often pull different guests than spring, so it’s worth watching both announcements.

September, November & December 2026

Nothing confirmed yet for these months, though several cons from previous years (Wales Comic Con, London Film & Comic Con) haven’t announced 2026 dates. We’ll update this guide as new events drop.

What to Watch

A few things we’re keeping an eye on: MegaCon’s rapid expansion across four cities suggests they’re going for market dominance—interesting to see how that affects guest exclusivity. MCM holding firm with three major events (two London, one Birmingham) shows they’re not ceding ground. The voice actor lineups lean heavily American dub talent, which could be a sign of what’s selling tickets right now.

Guest lists and schedules will evolve throughout the year. Bookmark this page—we’ll update it as new reveals hit.

Missing an event? Let us know: hello@fanaticalfandom.com

Events

Fallout 4, Helldivers 2 Join BAFTA Games Concert Lineup

Published

3 months ago

28 November 2025

Victoria

Gaming and orchestral music collide next year when BAFTA Games in Concert brings some of the most celebrated video game soundtracks to stages across the UK.

The world premiere lands at London’s Royal Festival Hall on Saturday 31st January 2026, featuring the BBC Concert Orchestra conducted by Austin Wintory. The 65-piece ensemble will be joined by London Voices and BAFTA award winners Sea Power, who took home the Music gong for Disco Elysium back in 2020.

The setlist has grown considerably since the initial announcement. New additions include Helldivers 2 (composed by Wilbert Roget II), Fallout 4 (Inon Zur), Far Cry 4 (Cliff Martinez), and a world premiere performance of Returnal by Bobby Krlic. These join previously confirmed titles including Baldur’s Gate 3, Journey, Cuphead, and Assassin’s Creed.

“The London premiere of BAFTA Games in Concert is really shaping up to be something special,” said Jane Millichip, BAFTA CEO. “A celebration for both fans of video games and beautiful, inspiring music. We’re thrilled to be adding Helldivers 2, Fallout 4, Far Cry 4 and Returnal to the lineup, further showcasing the creative power of the games industry and the authenticity of its music. Each will feature exclusive orchestral suites arranged by the original composers exclusively for these concerts. We’re also delighted to confirm the 2026 UK tour dates, bringing this incredible experience to audiences nationwide.”

Composer Jesper Kyd has crafted exclusive new orchestral suites for the shows, and he’s clearly excited about the opportunity.

“BAFTA has been championing game music for over 20 years so it’s an honour to contribute to this concert and forthcoming tour,” he said. “I’m excited to share that I worked on a brand new Assassin’s Creed suite which features music from Assassin’s Creed and Assassin’s Creed II, as well as a new Hitman suite which includes music from my BAFTA winning score for Hitman Contracts. Thank you BAFTA for asking me to be part of this great celebration.”

Following London, the tour hits six more cities: Gateshead (23rd May), Bristol (31st May), Edinburgh (4th June), Glasgow (5th June), Birmingham (6th June), and Manchester (7th June). More dates are expected.

London ticket holders can also grab VIP Meet & Greet access for post-show drinks, canapes, and signings with composers Austin Wintory, Jesper Kyd, and Borislav Slavov.

Tickets start at £30. Full details at www.liveconcert.games.