Ayrshire’s tabletop gaming community is preparing for a major new event as the first-ever Ayrshire Games Expo arrives in Troon later this month.
Organised by Troon Tabletop, the event will take place at Walker Hall on Saturday, August 22, from 10am until 6pm, bringing together board game fans, trading card enthusiasts and wargamers for a full day of gaming.
The expo follows a successful year for Troon Tabletop, which has been running regular weekly gaming sessions and building a growing community of players across Ayrshire.
Event organiser Conor Joseph said the aim was to create something bigger that could bring gamers from across the area together.
“Troon Tabletop has been running weekly gaming sessions for a year now and we wanted to host a big event for the entire community in Ayrshire,” he said.
“We have almost sold out our online tickets and hope to have a venue buzzing with board gamers!”
Visitors will be able to try a wide range of games throughout the day, including modern favourites such as Ticket to Ride and Catan, alongside plenty of other titles from Troon Tabletop’s extensive collection.
And for those who prefer the classics, organisers say there will still be a copy or two of Monopoly available.
The expo will also give visitors the opportunity to meet Scottish game designers, including event sponsors Aeronautique Games, and find out more about games being created closer to home.
Wargaming will also feature prominently, with groups from Kilmarnock and Saltcoats attending the event.
Anyone who has wondered what games such as Warhammer 40,000 are all about will have the opportunity to give wargaming a try and learn from experienced players.
A number of exhibitors will be attending too, selling board games, gaming accessories and Pokémon cards.
Organisers say the event has been designed to be welcoming to everyone, from experienced gamers to people who have never played a modern tabletop game before.
With Walker Hall sitting on Troon’s seafront, the organisers hope the venue will be filled with people meeting new friends and discovering new games throughout the day.
Online tickets are already close to selling out, with only limited availability expected at the door.
The team behind Ayrshire Games Expo hopes the August event will showcase the strength of the area’s growing tabletop gaming community and become the first of many gaming conventions in Ayrshire.