Birmingham to host UK's Yu-Gi-Oh! National Championships this summer - here's everything you need to know
The 2026 UK Yu-Gi-Oh! National Championships is set to be hosted at Birmingham’s NEC this June - here is everything you need to know about the event.
Competitive card game fans are set to descend on Birmingham this summer as the 2026 UK Yu-Gi-Oh! National Championships come to the NEC for three days of high-stakes duelling.
Taking place from 12–14 June 2026, the major event will welcome players from across the country - including local fans from Birmingham and the West Midlands - to compete for exclusive prizes and a shot at reaching the Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championships in Japan.
Players will battle it out for a range of prizes, including booster packs, gaming consoles, and qualification for the European World Championship Qualifier (WCQ) in Brussels.
Top performers there could then earn a place at the Yu-Gi-Oh! World Championship in Tokyo this August, with travel and accommodation included as part of the prize package.
Open to the public and catering to all skill levels, the tournament is expected to be one of the UK’s biggest gatherings for fans of the long-running Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Card Game, which is produced by KONAMI and based on the hugely popular anime and manga franchise.
Here is everything you need to know about the event:
What is Yu-Gi-Oh!?
For the uninitiated, Yu-Gi-Oh! is a globally popular Trading Card Game (TCG) where players build custom decks using cards collected from booster packs and compete against opponents in strategic battles.
The game combines tactical decision-making, deck-building skill, and a little luck, making it a favourite among both casual players and serious competitive gamers.
The franchise began as a Japanese manga before becoming a hit anime series and one of the world’s most recognisable card games.
Ticket information
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The event is set to take place at Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre from June 12– June 14, 2026.
Tickets cost £22.25. The price includes tournament entry and five booster packs.
Registration is open now via the official Yu-Gi-Oh! Nationals website.
More information on the wider European Nationals competition, including full prize details and registration information, can be found on the official Yu-Gi-Oh! website.