Black Squirrel Con 2027: dates, tickets and what to expect
Black Squirrel Con is a one-day board game convention in Letchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire. The organisers describe it as a friendly, welcoming community event for board game lovers of all experience levels, from seasoned gamers to people trying modern board games for the first time. If you went in earlier years, you will know it as FBG Con (Friendly Boardgamer Con). It has a new name for 2027 but is the same convention.
These details come from the organiser's own website, but they can change and mistakes can slip through. Please confirm everything on the official site before you go.
Quick facts
- Date
- Saturday 20 February 2027
- Times
- 10am to 10pm. You can arrive at any time during the day.
- Venue
- The Icknield Centre, Icknield Way, Letchworth Garden City SG6 1EF
- Tickets
- £8 for an all-day ticket. Buy in advance: there are no tickets on the door. Buy on the official site.
- Ages
- Under-12s go free and don't need a ticket. Under-18s must come with an adult who has their own ticket and stays at the event.
- Food
- On-site food van, and the town centre is a short walk away
What to expect
According to the official site, the day is built around open play, with a few organised extras:
- Open gaming: dozens of large gaming tables to use all day. Bring your own games or pick one from the games library.
- Games library: shelves of games that are free to borrow on the day, for different group sizes and tastes.
- Blood on the Clocktower: four hosted sessions of the social deduction game, for 8 to 15 players each. No experience is needed. Places are limited, so sign up in advance on the event's Discord server, or on the day if spaces remain.
- Bring and buy: bring games you no longer play and sell them to other attendees. Sticky notes and pens are provided so you can label your games with your name and number.
- Food and drink: a food van serves burgers, rolls, teas, coffees and soft drinks throughout the day. You can also bring snacks in.
Is it good for beginners, families and solo visitors?
The organisers say nobody is expected to know the rules in advance, and most players will happily explain a game before you start. Solo visitors are welcome, and there are Players Wanted signs to show which games are open to new players. The event is family friendly, and under-12s go free.
There is a code of conduct. In short: be kind and respectful, respect personal space, welcome newcomers and look after the venue and the games library.
Getting there
- By train: Letchworth Garden City station is on Thameslink, with trains from London and Cambridge. The venue is about a 15-minute walk or a short taxi ride from the station.
- By car: the venue is just off the A1 and the A505. Follow signs for the town centre, then Icknield Way, near Norton Common.
- Parking: limited on-site parking (40 spaces) and free street parking outside the venue. The venue side of the road is free all day, and the other side from 12pm, so check the signs. Norton Common car park allows up to 5 hours (the first 2 hours are free). Garden Square (until 7pm) and Hillshott (all day) car parks are alternatives.
Places to play board games nearby
Want to keep playing after Black Squirrel Con? See our guides to board game cafés, clubs and game nights nearby:
More board game conventions
See every upcoming event in our board game conventions calendar, with dates checked on each organiser's site.
Last checked 12 November 2026, from the official Black Squirrel Con website.