If you love tabletop games, you’re not going to want to miss this one! All aBoard Expo 2025 is officially the biggest board game event in the Philippines — and it’s not just a tagline. Held from May 29 to June 1 at the Quezon City M.I.C.E. Center, this four-day celebration of analog play is packed with tournaments, free play, creative workshops, and international guests. It’s a rare kind of event that welcomes both hardcore players and curious newcomers alike.
The Basics: Where, When, and How to Join
The All aBoard Expo runs from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM on Thursday through Saturday, and closes an hour earlier on Sunday at 7:00 PM. If you’re from Quezon City, good news — entry is completely free as long as you present a QCitizen ID, government-issued ID with a QC address, or a QC-based school ID. Non-QC guests can still join the fun by getting a Day Pass for just Php 50, or a Gamers Pass for Php 1000 if you’re all in for the full four-day experience.
The Gamers Pass isn’t just about access — it comes with some solid loot: an exclusive reusable bag, a mystery board game, and a Battle Adventure Guide loaded with challenges that earn you limited-edition rewards like a metal pin set. You also get priority access to select activities and a color-coded bracelet that changes every day.
Kids under 12 can join with a Junior Pass, which includes their own adventure guide and access to kid-friendly zones, though they must be accompanied by a guardian at all times. All attendees must register daily, and wristbands are valid for one day only, so don’t forget to check back in each day at the venue.
Explore, Compete, and Level Up
One of the highlights of the All aBoard Expo 2025 is the Adventure Guide system, which works like a quest tracker for con-goers. Every pass (Battle, Journey, or Junior) comes with its own guide, and each completed activity earns you stamps that can be exchanged for merch or raffle entries. Complete the guide within the event period, and you’ll unlock a grand prize — and bragging rights as a Level 5 Gamer.
The event layout is designed to encourage exploration. At the 1st Floor Library, hundreds of games are available to try out, sorted by difficulty from casual to expert, with game coaches ready to teach you the rules. Want to play your own titles or meet new gaming buddies? Head upstairs to the 2nd Floor Open Gaming Area, which is a free-play zone for anything from Pokemon TCG to Beyblade. Just remember to keep your personal games out of the main library area to avoid mix-ups.
You can also swing by the Trading Post, where community-led board game swaps, math trades, and buy-sell meetups are happening all weekend. Just note these are independently run and not officially overseen by Gaming Library or the QC LGU.
A Stacked Lineup from Thursday to Sunday
Each day of the All aBoard Expo 2025 is packed with highlights:
Thursday kicks off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and educational sessions from Ateneo IPO, including workshops centered around games like Avalon and Pandemic. Attendees can also join the first leg of the Speed Puzzling Tournament, and try their hand at featured titles like Flamecraft, Power Grid, and Dice Throne.
Friday expands the workshop experience, combining all board game design sessions into one big FREE session featuring international designers Yohan Goh, David Gordon, and TAM. There’s also a VR booth, more LEGO games, and intense tournament action including Blood Rage, Tapestry, Everdell, and Duel Overlord Gauntlet. The Beyblade X-treme Tournament also kicks off here.
Saturday is family-friendly and jam-packed: you’ll find tournaments for Cascadia, Cookie Run, Unmatched, CATAN, and King of Tokyo, along with open play zones and community meetups. There’s also a live-action Fold-it booth and another round of speed puzzling.
Sunday closes the event with tournaments for Grand Archive, Splendor (with a kids’ bracket too), Summoner Wars, Vale of Eternity, and Harmonies. There’s a final D&D session by Greasy Snitches, and the closing performance by Best School brings the curtain down on the weekend.
Fan-favorite staples like Blood on the Clocktower and Greasy Snitches’ D&D run every single day at fixed times — 11 AM, 1 PM, 3 PM, and 5 PM for BOTC, and 11 AM, 2 PM, and 5 PM for D&D. These are great entry points for casual gamers who want a mix of story, intrigue, and improv.
Tournaments, Merch, and Everything in Between
If you’re joining a tournament, keep in mind that registration fees are separate from event entry. You’ll still need a valid Day or Gamers Pass to access the venue. Tournament guidelines are available on the Gaming Library website and must be followed strictly.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a proper con without merch. At the GL Booth on the 1st floor, you can buy both local and international titles using cash, GCash, or card. All purchases earn GL Rewards points. You can also pick up any pre-ordered games or shirts at the GL Redemption Booth.
How to Get There and What to Bring
Getting to All aBoard Expo 2025 is easy. From MRT North Avenue or LRT Cubao, hop on a jeep or bus to Elliptical Road and walk to the QC Circle. Coming from NAIA? Grab a cab or use a P2P route plus MRT/LRT to get to the north. Free shuttle services are also running from Seda Vertis North and other QC spots, with Route 4, 5, and 8 servicing the area.
There’s limited parking near the venue, but overflow parking is available at Trinoma, SM North Edsa, and Vertis North. Just hop on the QC bus from there.
Food and drink aren’t allowed inside the building, but you can bring refillable water bottles. Outside the venue, you’ll find stalls curated by POP QC featuring the best of local eats. Don’t forget — single-use plastics are banned, so pack reusable containers when you can.
The organizers are also big on safety and community. Expect a strong security presence, roving EMTs, and helpful volunteers everywhere. Please be respectful, keep your valuables close, and be mindful that this is a shared space with families and kids.
A Preview We’re Personally Hyped About
While there are tons of games to try at the Expo, one that we’re especially excited about is Gwent. If you’ve played The Witcher series, you already know how addictive this strategic card game can be. But here at All aBoard Expo 2025, Gwent is getting a bit of the spotlight it deserves—making its local debut with an exclusive preview.
More than just a fan-favorite minigame, Gwent has grown into a full-fledged, standalone experience. It’s a game of bluffing, on-the-fly decisions, and careful deck building that rewards calculated risks and long-term thinking. Whether you’re a first-time commander or a returning fan, this is your chance to try it before the rest of the realm gets in.
Make It Count
All aBoard Expo 2025 isn’t just a convention—it’s a gathering of the country’s most passionate board game fans, creators, and community leaders. You’ll find new games to love, people to play with, and maybe even a new favorite hobby to bring home.
Whether you’re joining for one day or going all-in with a Gamers Pass, this is your chance to connect, compete, and roll the dice on All aBoard Expo 2025 – a weekend you won’t forget!
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