London Games Festival 2025

London’s biggest celebration of gaming is back! London Games Festival 2025 runs from April 2–13 and brings together developers, publishers, and fans for nearly two weeks of gaming events across the city. From world premieres of upcoming games to industry networking at the Games Finance Market, this is the UK’s biggest games event.

With BAFTA Games Awards, Trafalgar Square Games Festival, and experimental game design shows, this year’s festival promises to be bigger than ever. If you love video games, you don’t want to miss it!

History of the London Games Festival

Launched in 2016, the London Games Festival showcases the UK's gaming industry, one of the largest in the world. It has since grown into a global event, attracting over 100,000 visitors in 2024.

This year marks the festival’s 10th anniversary, and organizers promise special retrospectives and celebrations highlighting a decade of gaming culture in London. Expect a mix of game launches, industry panels, esports competitions, and cultural events running across the city.

What to Expect at London Games Festival 2025

With events happening across multiple venues, there’s something for gamers, developers, and investors. Here are some of the core festival events to check out:

New Game Plus (April 3–4, London Museum)

An expo with games from major studios, indie developers, and innovative game makers. Playtest upcoming games and meet the developers behind them.

Games Finance Market (April 8–9, Private Event)

A private invite-only event connecting game studios with global investors and publishers. Perfect for anyone in game development looking for funding and partnerships.

BAFTA Games Awards (April 8, Queen Elizabeth Hall)

The very best games of the year will be honored at the BAFTA Games Awards, celebrating excellence in game design, storytelling, and innovation.

Now Play This (April 10–13, Somerset House)

A show of experimental game design with interactive installations and unique gaming experiences you won’t find anywhere else.

Screen Play (April 10, BFI Southbank)

A convergence conference exploring the connections between video games, film, and television. Expect discussions on game adaptations, interactive storytelling, and London’s role as the capital’s screen industries agency.

Trafalgar Square Games Festival (April 11–12, Trafalgar Square)

A free games event in the heart of London. Expect game and project submissions, community-organized pop-ups, and a live performance by the London Video Game Orchestra.

London Games Festival 2025 Tickets and Entry

Many festival events are free games shows, while others require tickets.

• Free Events: Trafalgar Square Games Festival, Now Play This, and select indie game showcases.
• Ticketed Events: BAFTA Games Awards, Games Finance Market programmes, and private meetings.
• Industry Access: Developers and investors can pre-program meetings with publishers at Games Finance Market.

For the latest ticket prices and games festival 2025 schedule, visit the official London Games Festival website.

How to Get to London Games Festival 2025

With events happening across multiple venues, getting around London efficiently is key. Public transport is your best bet, and London’s system is fast, reliable, and well-connected.

• By tube – The London Underground is the easiest way to travel between festival locations. Major venues are near stations like Leicester Square (Northern and Piccadilly lines), Southbank (Waterloo station, Jubilee line), and Tower Hill (Circle and District lines). Plan your route using the TfL Journey Planner.
• By train – If you're traveling from outside London, major rail hubs like King’s Cross, Waterloo, and Paddington connect you to the city. From there, hop on the Tube or a bus to reach festival venues.
• By air – London has several international airports:
• Heathrow Airport (LHR) – 45 minutes to central London via the Elizabeth Line or Piccadilly Line.
• Gatwick Airport (LGW) – 30 minutes via the Gatwick Express to Victoria Station.
• London City Airport (LCY) – The closest airport to central London, just 20 minutes on the DLR (Docklands Light Railway).
• By bus and walking – Many venues, like Trafalgar Square and Somerset House, are within walking distance. TfL buses offer an easy and affordable way to navigate London, and you can use contactless payments or an Oyster card to hop on.

For real-time updates and travel options, check Transport for London (TfL) before heading out.

London Games Festival 2025 Bag Policy

Before heading to festival venues, check what you can and can’t bring.

Prohibited Items:

• Large backpacks or suitcases
• Outside food and drinks (some venues have restrictions)
• Professional camera equipment without a press pass

Allowed Items:

• Small bags and clear plastic bags
• Laptops and tablets (for industry events)
• Sealed water bottles

For full security guidelines, check each venue’s official website before attending.

London Games Festival 2025 Bag Storage

Don’t want to carry your bags all day?

Bounce offers secure storage locations throughout London so you can enjoy the festival without extra weight.

• Affordable rates – Store your bags for as little as £3.90 per day.
• Safe and secure – Each booking is protected with £10,000 of protection.
• Flexible booking – Free cancellation if your plans change.

How to use Bounce during the festival:

• Book online – Find a nearby storage spot via the Bounce app or website.
• Drop off your bags – Quick drop-off at a secure location.
• Enjoy the festival hands-free – Pick up your stuff when you're ready during store hours.

Tips to Make the Most of London Games Festival 2025

• Plan your schedule – Prioritize the BAFTA Games Awards, Trafalgar Square Games Festival, and New Game Plus to catch the best highlights.
• Arrive early – London loves a good queue, and some venues have limited capacity. Whether you're attending a private invite-only event or an expo featuring games, get there with time to spare.
• Follow updates – Big game and project submissions happen throughout the festival. Subscribe to festival alerts for surprise announcements, developer panels, and new game shows.
• Network and explore – Whether you're a game developer, investor, or fan, London Games Festival’s position as a major global gaming hub means innovative game makers, industry pros, and gaming enthusiasts’ll surround you. Strike up conversations: you never know who you’ll meet!
• Soak in the city – From the capital’s screen industries agency events to the cultural events running alongside the festival, London in April is the perfect backdrop for a gaming adventure. Take a detour and explore the city between events!

From showing upcoming games to celebrating the UK interactive entertainment industry, this festival is the ultimate gaming experience in 2025. No matter if you're here to play, learn, or connect, London Games Festival 2025 is the place to be. See you in April!