NGF is back 23-30 May 2026 - Full programme is live, grab tickets for special events and see what's on now!
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The Arena - Sat 30

Sorry, you missed this one!

10am - 5pm : The Forum

The Arena Careers Arts & Crafts Family friendly Free Industry Retro SEND Showcase Sports & Exercise Tabletop Video Games Wellbeing
  • Disabled toilets
  • Toilets
  • Wheelchair access
  • Disabled parking
  • Parking
  • Refreshments

Millennium Plain, Norwich, NR2 1TF

Enter The Arena!

Free, drop-in

The Forum

All ages and levels of experience welcome!

The Arena is the space dedicated to free, drop-in, interactive activities across The Forum. The Arena includes The Atrium, The Gallery, Gallery Reception, Lower Gallery and outside spaces. 

In the Atrium you’ll find a range stands, activities and interactive exhibitions in our Charity, Community and Commercial Zone, Education Zone and Developer Zone. You’ll also find the Norwich Games Festival Information Desk (where you can borrow some ear defenders and sensory aids), and our Lead Partners, Norwich University of the Arts. 

Charity, Community and Commercial Zone

Sensible World of Soccer TournamentA Festival favourite - sign up on the day at 10am
Black Dragon PaintingModel making and miniature figure painting club
Last Level GamesIndependent video games vendor
Norfolk Game DevelopersIndie dev and studio community group
The Benjamin FoundationLearn about the Gaming for Good campaign
Jack YoungAccessible gaming developer
Thumb SoldiersAccessible and competitive adaptations and vendor
Norwich Amiga GroupAmiga and retro computing from the NAG community
CRSComputer and console repair
CelestialTabletop game developer
The Rub15 or 30-minute heavenly back rubs

Education Zone

City College NorwichFurther Education College exhibition with playable games, curriculum and career advice and guidance
Access Creative CollegeFurther Education College exhibition with playable games, curriculum and career advice and guidance
East Norfolk CollegeSixth Form College with playable games, curriculum and career advice and guidance
College of West AngliaFurther Education and University Studies curriculum and career advice and guidance, and playable games.
Norwich University of the ArtsLead NGF partner: Further Education and University Studies curriculum and career advice and guidance, with playable games and showcases.

Developer Zone

Rhino Rock StudiosVideo game studio
Fairer GamesVideo game studio
Magical Girl Fist FightVideo game developer
TreeplanterHelp re-green the planet through the power of gaming
Moss MonkeyOutclaw, digital game developers
Websy and the Time RoguesVideo game developer
Gnarled Hand StudiosIndie video game developer
Boilerman StudiosIndie video game developer
Sleepy Swan StudiosVideo game developer
SemaeopusRetro inspired game developers
Duncan McHardyForge and Flame, Intergalactic Intern and other indie video games
Deathly DelightsVideo game developer
FoquesVideo game developer
Dreaded WunderVideo game developer
Jack IbbotsonMeet the Pro! Norwich University of the Arts graduate and 3D artist at Airship is supporting with portfolio reviews and HE guidance.

Play, judge and vote in the Game Anglia NGF Jam in the Gallery Reception.

Related events

  • Sat 30 May
    10am - 4pm

    Game Anglia's Norwich Games Festival Jam - Play and Vote Zone

    In the run-up to Norwich Games Festival 2026, game designers and developers have been busy creating brand new, incredible games that you get to play for the very first time at NGF!

    Family friendly
    Free
    Video Games
    The Arena
    Showcase
    Drop-in

    • Enjoy learning to play tabletop games with Slice + Dice in our new Gaming Lounge, which can be located in The Gallery (10am-1pm). 

    Related events

  • Open daily from 10am

    The Gaming Lounge

    Join us in the cosy board game and puzzle lounge where hosts John 'Actualol' Purkis, Slice + Dice and Norwich Games Convention will teach you how to play new, traditional and locally made tabletop games.

    Free
    Family friendly
    Tabletop
    The Arena
    Activity
    Wellbeing
    Retro
    Drop-in

    • Keep working your way through the building, to the Lower Gallery and you’ll find Norwich Retro Gamers in The Game Cave, alongside the Video Game Preservation Museum.

    Related events

  • Sat 30 May
    10am - 4pm

    The Game Cave

    Join the Norwich Retro Gamers and friends to experience a vast range of playable retro consoles and computers. Whether new or nostalgic, there will be something for everyone.

    Free
    Retro
    Video Games
    The Arena
    Family friendly
    Drop-in

    • Outside, the Sunflower Snug Marquee will be open on Theatre Plain; a quieter space to experience all the fun of the Festival. Norwich Making Space will be offering drop-in 8-bit Lego printing workshops for all ages.

    Related events

  • Times vary

    The Sunflower Snug

    The Sunflower Snug is a calm and relaxed space, open to all, that has been specifically designed with the support of SEND specialists to welcome those who may find attending the main Festival challenging.

    SEND
    Family friendly
    Wellbeing
    Video Games
    Arts & Crafts
    Free
    Tabletop

    • On Upper Millennium Plain, we’ll be hosting Festival Favourite, the Actual Reality Arcade, who will be running a range of fun physical activities and challenges based on retro video games.

    Don’t forget to grab your artisan donut from Oh My Doh just outside The Forum and take part in the daily gaming challenge too! 

    Plan your visit

    Get ready for Norwich Games Festival!

    NGF26

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