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London is a lot more than just Buckingham Palace, red buses and rain! As well as being a city of culture and commerce, it’s also one of Europe’s best gaming hotspots. Seriously, if you’re a keen gamer you’ll find everything you need here. Whether it’s high-stakes eSports tournaments, underground retro gaming spots, or the latest in immersive VR experiences that you’re after, the Big Smoke’s got you covered.
The best bit is, every borough offers something different. So, if you’re ready to explore London as a gamer, here’s where you need to go.
The eSports Capital
So eSports is your scene? You’re in the right place! As the capital city of the UK, we regularly host some of the biggest tournaments in Europe. Pro players, and their fans, flock from all over the world when a tourney is on here.
Wembley Arena has seen its fair share of monumental showdowns, including the League of Legends European Championship finals and international Counter-Strike clashes. Then there’s EGX at ExCeL London, where players, developers, and industry insiders converge to test upcoming releases and discuss the future of gaming.
If you’re keen to take a more hands-on approach to eSports, make sure you check out Red Bull Gaming Sphere in Shoreditch. This slick gaming venue is the home for eSports in the East End, offering community events, tournaments and even a high-end creator room with the latest in content streaming technologies.
Virtual Realities and Immersive Adventures
Of course, gaming today is more than just eSports and consoles —it’s fully-embraced Virtual Reality experiences too. London is ahead of the curve when it comes to VR, so much so that it can be tricky to know which venues are worth checking out, and which you should avoid.
DNA VR is a great starting point and it has locations throughout the capital in Battersea, Camden and Hammersmith. Here, you can find everything from adrenaline-pumping zombie survival missions to mind-bending puzzle games.
Otherworld VR takes things a step further by creating a full sensory experience with haptic feedback – there’s even a futuristic cocktail bar to keep things interesting between sessions! If you’re after something cinematic, Sandbox VR in High Holborn delivers hyper-realistic multiplayer adventures that feel more like stepping into a blockbuster film than playing a game.
Classic Games in London
Ok, so it goes without saying that not all gaming in London has to happen in a cutting-edge venue, the city has a rich culture of card and tabletop gaming too.
What kind of card games can you get involved with here? Well, what kind of card games do you like? If bridge is your thing, Aces Hi! runs weekly sessions and weekend courses at various locations throughout the city, including Canary Wharf, Balham and Camden.
Poker is and always has been a significant part of London’s gaming culture, from the lavish gaming rooms of the Crockford right the way through digital poker (the UK was one of the first territories to legislate online poker gaming at the start of the century). Today, you can take your pick from high stakes games at the likes of the Grosvenor Victoria, or get involved with home games via the London Poker Meetup (which has 4390 members and counting). Even if you’re a beginner we’ve got you covered; the resources that are available on leading digital platforms make it easy to learn poker and you can also practice your skills in free chips games. Plus, rush hour on the Tube is the perfect way to practice your poker face!
As for tabletop gaming, where better than the flagship Warhammer store on Tottenham Court Road?
Where to Find the Gear
A true gamer knows that the right equipment makes all the difference. Whether you’re hunting for the latest releases or vintage collectibles, London’s gaming shops deliver! GAME still holds its ground on Oxford Street and it’s pretty ubiquitous throughout the capital’s sprawling shopping centres (including Westfield Stratford and White City).
Forbidden Planet on Shaftesbury Avenue remains a mecca for gaming culture, where you can find everything from limited-edition merch to rare Japanese imports. For those after a bargain, CeX’s many locations stock second-hand games and hardware, often at unbeatable prices.
