Pull up a chair in our dedicated Board Game Zone. Situated right in front of the main foyer bar, this space has come a long way since its humble beginnings in the BIC café. For 2025, The Board Game Zone has expanded to over 20 tables and a library of more than 100 games to try, all overseen by a team of passionate gaming experts ready to guide you through something new or offer advice on the perfect game for you.

What’s even better? You’re welcome to bring your own games—whether from home or something you just picked up at Beachhead. The Board Game Zone stays open until 1 a.m. on Saturday night, and with the licensed bar nearby, you can enjoy some late-night gaming as part of your Saturday General Admission or Weekend ticket.

We caught up with Steve Excell, the mastermind behind the Board Game Zone, to learn more about his love for board games and what’s in store this year.

Q. How many board games do you have in your personal collection?

"If I were to count a game, its eight expansions, the three mini updates, a bunch of upgrades and all the deluxe components as just a single game… around 300."

Q. Which game made you realise you love board games?

"My granddad taught me to play draughts when I was still crawling. Chess and card games came very soon after. I always wanted to delve into a variety of deeper or more thematic board games as I grew up, but never found the right people to play with throughout my childhood years. It took until I got to uni to find a truly like-minded bunch of meeples. The game that they introduced me to that turned me onto the Euro-style games I now love was Power Grid."

Q. What are your all-time favourite board games?

"It’s tricky to choose a favourite, I tend to binge a few games for a while then rotate different ones in every few months, choosing ones I think the people I’m playing with might like. I have games with themes from making dresses in Rococo to colonising mars in Alien Frontiers and everything in between."

Q. What can people expect from the Board Game Zone at Beachhead?

"The Board Game Zone at Beachhead has a selection of around 100 games to borrow and play for absolutely free. They’re mostly loaned from the personal collections of the Beachhead helpers like me. We'll have a few of our favourite games set up and ready to roll, but you are welcome to play what you bring along or buy at the expo. If you’re flying solo, there’s usually someone happy to join you.

If you need advice, recommendations, a quick demo, want a look in the box, or get a learning game, then we are here to help. Our team brings with them a wealth of experience and are usually able to teach and adapt the rules as we go to suit anyone of any ability. I’ve seen Takenoko played with 3 year olds, 6 year olds siblings absolutely annihilating their elders in Dobble, and a group of 11 year olds totally smashing Pandemic on hard mode with a little guidance on their first game.

We have had very busy sessions of late night gaming until 1am with an open bar for 3 years in a row now. Saturday tickets provide free entry to this – make sure you stay on after dinner!"