Play – The Games Festival 2027 – Bologna, Italy

• 4月 23, 2027
  イベント日程:
• 4月 25, 2027
  イベント終了:

期待できること

Italy’s leading analog games celebration: Play – The Games Festival is recognized as Italy’s most important and largest event dedicated to analog games, encompassing board games, role-playing games, miniature games, live action role-playing, collectible card games, gamebooks and interactive narrative experiences. Organized by BolognaFiere in collaboration with Ludo Labo and supported by dozens of Italian play associations including La Tana dei Goblin, TreEmme, Ludus and many others, the festival has evolved from its origins in Modena into a major international gathering now hosted at BolognaFiere. With more than 40,000 square meters of covered area across five pavilions, it welcomes publishers, designers, artists, associations and tens of thousands of players.

A fully playable experience: Unlike a traditional trade show focused on display, Play is built around play itself. Thousands of tables are set up for free play, with demonstrators and association volunteers explaining rules, guiding newcomers and facilitating games for experts. Visitors can sit down and try hundreds of titles, from family-friendly games to complex strategic experiences, from narrative role-playing campaigns to fast-paced miniature battles. The festival encourages direct contact between players, authors and publishers, creating a vibrant community atmosphere where feedback is shared immediately.

Culture, education and innovation: Beyond entertainment, Play integrates cultural programming, educational initiatives and scientific outreach. The National Research Council brings scientific games and escape rooms that transform research concepts into playable experiences. Universities including the University of Bologna and University of Modena and Reggio Emilia support panels on game design, pedagogy and social impact. Awards such as Gioco dell’Anno, RPG Magnifico and Librogame Magnifico celebrate excellence in game design, role-playing and gamebook publishing, reinforcing the festival’s role as a reference point for the Italian and European games ecosystem.

イベント日程

Festival window: April 23–25, 2027

Daily opening hours: The exhibition is generally open from 09:00 AM to 08:00 PM, with extended evening activities including role-playing sessions, tournaments and live events that continue beyond standard hours in dedicated areas.

Seasonal placement: The festival is traditionally held in spring, positioning itself as the major national meeting point for the games community before the summer convention season.

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会場と展示会場

BolognaFiere – new home: The event takes place at BolognaFiere, located at Viale della Fiera 20, Bologna. The move to BolognaFiere marked a significant expansion, with 43,000 square meters of indoor space that comfortably hosts a growing and diverse audience. The venue offers modern pavilions, wide aisles, conference rooms, service areas and direct connections to the city’s transport network.

Five pavilions and thematic halls: Play is organized across five main pavilions, each with a distinct identity. Four main halls are dedicated to board games, role-playing games, miniatures and live games, while additional spaces host collectible card games, gamebooks, associations and institutional stands. The layout ensures that family games, expert titles, role-playing areas and tournament zones are clearly separated yet interconnected, allowing visitors to navigate according to their interests.

Support facilities: The exhibition center provides food courts, rest areas, cloakrooms, information points, first aid, accessible restrooms and charging stations. Outdoor areas are used for live action role-playing demonstrations, cosplay activities and food trucks. The entire site is designed to accommodate high visitor numbers while maintaining comfortable play conditions.

フルゲーミングプログラム

Free play and association support: The core of the program is free play, supported by a network of volunteer associations that bring their game libraries and teach titles throughout the day. Visitors can try games without prior knowledge, with experts explaining rules in multiple languages and facilitating inclusive tables for newcomers, families and experienced gamers.

Tournaments and organized play: The schedule includes official tournaments for collectible card games, miniature games and competitive board games, with qualifiers, finals and prizes offered by publishers. Organized play campaigns for role-playing games allow players to join ongoing narratives led by experienced game masters.

Awards and recognition: The festival hosts prestigious award ceremonies including Gioco dell’Anno for best board game, RPG Magnifico created to celebrate and promote the finest international productions in contemporary tabletop role-playing, and Librogame Magnifico which celebrates gamebooks published on the Italian market. These awards include public presentations, jury discussions and signing sessions.

Educational and scientific games: The institutional stand of the National Research Council hosts 16 representatives from various institutes who bring scientific games, including a revisitation of the interdisciplinary escape room In Search of Lost Equilibrium. Workshops, panels and game-based learning sessions explore the use of games in education, research and civic engagement.

注目ゲームと開発者

Publishers and designers: Leading Italian and international board game publishers present their latest releases, with authors available for signing sessions and design talks. Independent publishers showcase prototypes and gather feedback from the community, making Play a crucial testing ground for new mechanics and themes.

Role-playing and gamebook creators: Prominent role-playing game designers, gamebook authors and illustrators present new campaigns, settings and interactive narratives. Dedicated areas for role-playing games host continuous sessions where game masters run adventures for small groups, allowing direct interaction with creators.

Miniatures and live action: Miniature game companies display painted armies, terrain and new rule systems, with painting workshops and demonstration battles. Live action role-playing associations organize immersive experiences in dedicated zones, complete with costumes, props and narrative staff.

Scientific and cultural exhibitors: Institutes such as CNR ISASI and CREO present scientific games that merge research and play, while universities showcase projects developed by students and researchers in game design and interactive storytelling.

eスポーツトーナメントと競技

Analog competitive focus: While Play is centered on analog games, its competitive dimension is strong. Board game tournaments, collectible card game championships and miniature game battles attract competitive players from across Italy and Europe. These competitions are organized with official rankings and prizes.

Role-playing and narrative competitions: Role-playing tournaments emphasize storytelling, creativity and collaboration rather than pure victory, with juries evaluating game masters and players on narrative skill, improvisation and inclusivity.

National finals and qualifiers: Many tournaments serve as national finals or qualifiers for international events, drawing highly skilled players. The festival provides dedicated competitive zones with judges, timers and live commentary for major finals.

Community-driven contests: Painting contests for miniatures, costume contests for live action role-players and speed-play challenges for board games create a festive competitive atmosphere that celebrates both skill and creativity.

トーナメントおよびイベントスケジュール

Continuous daily schedule: The event schedule runs from morning until evening, with free play available throughout the day, tournaments starting in late morning and continuing into afternoon, and role-playing sessions that often extend into evening hours. Award ceremonies and special panels are typically scheduled in late afternoon to gather larger audiences.

Thematic time blocks: Mornings are often dedicated to family play, educational workshops and beginner-friendly sessions, while afternoons feature expert games, competitive finals and designer talks. Evenings are reserved for role-playing campaigns, live action events and community gatherings.

Stage programming: Multiple stages and conference rooms host panels on game design, inclusivity, sustainability in game production, educational use of games and presentations of new titles. The schedule is published in advance via the official app and website with filtering by game type and interest.

特別イベント: Play on Tour events, previews at partner conventions such as Nerd Show and Liberamente, and pre-festival gatherings build momentum before the main edition, while on-site events include author signing queues, prototype testing and association anniversaries.

チケットの種類

One-day ticket: Based on previous editions, the standard one-day ticket valid for one day at visitor’s choice is priced at approximately $25.92 USD. Early-bird pricing for advance online purchase has been offered at approximately $16.20 USD, with intermediate pricing at approximately $19.44 USD for specific promotional windows. All tickets include access to free play areas, exhibitions and most panels.

Reduced price ticket: Visitors aged 11 to 18, holders of YoungER Card, Conad Card, Carta Giovani Nazionale, Biblioteche di Bologna Card and university partnerships benefit from reduced pricing. The reduced one-day ticket is approximately $20.52 USD, encouraging youth participation and community access.

3日間チケット: The full festival pass for all three days, which has historically been priced at approximately $36.72 USD, offers significant savings for attendees planning to experience the entire program. It is the most popular option for dedicated gamers and association members.

Free and special admissions: Children under a certain age, accompanying persons for visitors with disabilities and accredited press and professionals receive special access conditions. Tickets are nominative and must be purchased through official channels.

VIPおよびプレミアムアクセス

Association and partner access: While Play does not operate a traditional VIP tier focused on luxury, premium access is provided through association memberships, exhibitor badges and special accreditation that allow early entry for setup, access to reserved play areas and priority seating for award ceremonies.

University partnership benefits: Thanks to the partnership with the University of Bologna, students can access a special day ticket at approximately $19.44 USD instead of the standard $25.92 USD, available exclusively at on-site ticket offices during event days upon presentation of university credentials.

Exhibitor and creator badges: Publishers, designers and association volunteers receive professional badges that grant access to dedicated lounges, storage areas and meeting rooms for business discussions, as well as early access to halls before public opening.

Early-bird and special sales: Tickets sold in advance online often include priority queue lanes at entry, allowing holders to enter faster during peak morning hours. Special packages for families and groups are occasionally offered through partner channels.

出展者およびゲーム会社

Board game publishers: The majority of exhibitors are board game publishers ranging from large international groups to independent Italian labels. They present new releases, offer demo tables staffed by demonstrators and sell games directly, often with festival-exclusive promo cards or expansions.

Role-playing and miniature companies: Role-playing game publishers, miniature manufacturers, terrain makers and accessory producers showcase rulebooks, campaigns, painted miniatures and tools for hobbyists. Many offer painting workshops and assembly demonstrations.

Associations and community groups: Dozens of Italian play associations, including La Tana dei Goblin, Ludus and TreEmme, exhibit with extensive game libraries and volunteer staff who teach games continuously. Their presence is fundamental to the festival’s playable nature.

Institutional and educational exhibitors: The National Research Council, universities, regional institutions including Regione Emilia-Romagna and cultural partners such as Comune di Modena participate with stands that demonstrate the educational, scientific and civic value of games.

展示ホールとゲーミングゾーン

Four main halls plus specialized areas: The festival is organized into four main halls dedicated to different game families, plus specialized zones for role-playing, live action, collectible card games and gamebooks. Each hall is themed and equipped with tables, chairs, lighting and signage appropriate to its activities.

Role-playing and live zones: Dedicated quieter areas with atmospheric lighting and sound isolation host role-playing sessions, allowing immersive storytelling. Live action zones use both indoor and outdoor spaces with props and safe combat areas.

Tournament and demo zones: Competitive zones feature numbered tables, judges and scoring systems for tournaments, while demo zones are organized by publisher with clear queues and reservation systems for highly anticipated titles.

Rest and service zones: Food courts, relaxation areas, information points, first aid and accessible services are distributed between halls to ensure comfortable circulation. The layout is designed to accommodate high visitor flow while maintaining playable conditions at tables.

ゲームデモと新作リリース

Extensive demo program: Publishers offer hundreds of demos, with new releases available for hands-on play months before wider distribution. Demonstrators explain rules in multiple languages and facilitate games for groups of varying experience levels.

Prototype and feedback sessions: Independent designers present prototypes in dedicated areas, gathering feedback from players that directly influences final development. This creates a collaborative environment where community input shapes future releases.

New release presentations: Main stages host presentations of upcoming titles, with designers discussing inspiration, mechanics and artwork. Attendees can often purchase new releases directly at the festival, sometimes with exclusive promotional content.

Scientific and educational game previews: New scientific games developed by research institutes are previewed, including interdisciplinary escape rooms and educational board games that combine learning and entertainment.

イベントルール

Play and respect policy: Visitors are expected to handle games with care, return components complete and respect queue systems for demos. Associations and publishers reserve the right to limit play time for highly requested titles to allow more visitors to try them.

Age and supervision: Children under 11 must be accompanied by an adult. Some games have age recommendations that must be respected for safety and complexity reasons. Role-playing and live action areas have specific age and consent policies.

写真撮影と記録: Personal photography is allowed in most areas, but flash photography and video recording of role-playing sessions require consent from participants. Commercial recording without accreditation is prohibited.

Security and prohibited items: Large bags, outside food in gaming areas and any item that could damage games or disturb other visitors are not permitted at tables. Security checks are performed at entry, and staff may inspect bags to protect game components.

Inclusivity and conduct: The festival promotes an inclusive, welcoming environment. Harassment, discrimination or disruptive behavior towards players, staff or volunteers will result in removal without refund. The event is certified by ISFCERT, ensuring professional standards.

行き方

電車で: Bologna Centrale is the main railway hub, with high-speed connections from Milan, Florence, Rome and other major cities. From Bologna Centrale, local buses and taxis connect to BolognaFiere in approximately 15 minutes. The venue is well signposted from the station.

車での移動: BolognaFiere is accessible via the A14 and A1 motorways, with exit at Bologna Fiera. Ample signage directs drivers to the exhibition center. Large paid parking areas surround the venue, with shuttle services to entrances during peak hours.

飛行機で: Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport is located a few kilometers from the fairgrounds, with direct bus connections to Bologna Centrale and taxi services to BolognaFiere. Visitors from other airports can reach Bologna via high-speed train.

By bus and local transport: Urban bus lines, including routes serving Viale della Fiera, stop directly at the exhibition center. Special additional services are often scheduled during the festival to handle increased visitor numbers.

公共交通と駐車場

Local public transport: Bologna’s urban bus network, operated by TPER, provides frequent services to BolognaFiere. Tickets can be purchased at automatic machines, tobacco shops or via mobility apps. Event days see increased frequency and additional staff to assist visitors.

Parking facilities: BolognaFiere offers extensive parking areas, including multi-storey garages and outdoor lots, with reserved spaces for visitors with reduced mobility near entrances. Parking fees apply, and early arrival is recommended for high-attendance days.

Sustainable mobility: Organizers encourage use of public transport, bicycles and car-sharing to reduce traffic. Bike racks are available at entrances, and the venue is connected to cycling paths from the city centre.

Internal circulation: Once inside, the fairgrounds are fully walkable with covered connections between pavilions. Information points provide maps and assistance for navigating between halls and special event areas.

宿泊施設

Near BolognaFiere: Hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses in the immediate vicinity of BolognaFiere, in the San Donato and Fiera districts, offer the most convenient access, often within walking distance or a short bus ride. Many offer special rates for exhibitors and visitors during the festival period.

Central Bologna: Staying in the historic centre of Bologna provides access to cultural attractions, restaurants and nightlife, with easy bus connections to the fairgrounds. This option combines festival attendance with city tourism, including Bologna’s famous porticoes and culinary scene.

Budget and alternative options: Hostels, university residences and vacation rentals provide affordable alternatives for students and association members. Agriturismi in the surrounding hills offer quieter stays with easy driving access.

Booking advice: Due to high demand during the festival, early booking is strongly recommended. Partner hotels often include shuttle services and early breakfast options to accommodate early entry for exhibitors and dedicated players.

アクセスのしやすさ

会場へのアクセス： BolognaFiere is fully accessible, with step-free entrances, wide aisles between tables, elevators, accessible restrooms and designated seating areas in conference rooms and stages. The entire exhibition area is designed to accommodate wheelchair users and visitors with reduced mobility.

Services for visitors with disabilities: Reserved parking spaces, loan of wheelchairs at information points, accessible information desks and trained staff assistance are available. Guide dogs are permitted throughout the venue, and quiet rest areas are provided for visitors with sensory sensitivities.

Inclusive play: Associations are trained to facilitate inclusive play, with adapted explanations, large-print rules and support for visitors with visual or hearing impairments. Tables with adjustable height and additional space are available upon request.

Contact and support: Visitors requiring specific assistance are advised to contact organizers in advance via info@play-festival.it to arrange support. The official website https://www.play-festival.it/ provides detailed accessibility information and contact forms.

過去のハイライト

New home and record space: The move to BolognaFiere was celebrated as a milestone, with 43,000 square meters of indoor space welcoming visitors comfortably. The new venue allowed for better distribution of gaming zones, improved circulation and enhanced services for families and competitive players.

Expanded program: The edition featured over five pavilions with more than 40,000 square meters of covered area, hosting thousands of gaming tables, continuous role-playing sessions, miniature painting workshops, live action demonstrations and award ceremonies. The collaboration between BolognaFiere and Ludo Labo ensured professional organization while preserving community spirit.

Scientific and cultural integration: The presence of the National Research Council with 16 representatives from various institutes brought scientific games and escape rooms that attracted schools and families, demonstrating the educational potential of play. University partnerships provided panels on game design and social impact.

地域のお祝い： Highlights included the award ceremonies for Gioco dell’Anno, RPG Magnifico and Librogame Magnifico, which gathered designers, publishers and players for emotional celebrations, as well as the vibrant atmosphere created by dozens of associations that transformed the fairgrounds into a nationwide playground.

公式チケット

Official sales channel: Tickets are sold exclusively through the official website https://www.play-festival.it/ and authorized ticketing partners. On-site ticket offices at BolognaFiere are available during event days for direct purchase, including special university partnership tickets.

Pricing reference: While final pricing for the upcoming edition will be confirmed closer to the event, reference pricing from previous editions converted to USD is as follows: early-bird one-day ticket approximately $16.20 USD, standard one-day ticket approximately $25.92 USD, intermediate pricing approximately $19.44 USD, reduced youth ticket approximately $20.52 USD and three-day pass approximately $36.72 USD. Special student pricing through the University of Bologna partnership has been offered at approximately $19.44 USD instead of $25.92 USD, valid exclusively at on-site ticket offices.

Entry conditions: All tickets are nominative and require ID matching at entry. Advance online purchase is recommended to avoid queues and secure access, as high-attendance days may reach capacity. The official contact for inquiries is info@play-festival.it.

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