From the moment the gates opened this morning, visitors have been pouring in, grabbing their maps, coffees and first purchases of the day before heading off to explore everything The Game Fair has to offer. The sun is shining, the atmosphere is buzzing and it’s been fantastic to see so many familiar faces returning for another unforgettable weekend.
The Game Fair officially opened this morning with a warm welcome from our Managing Director James Gower, setting the tone for what promises to be a brilliant weekend. Across the event, exhibitors have been welcoming eager shoppers, with Gunmakers’ Row already drawing crowds keen to admire some of the world’s finest sporting guns and craftsmanship. The shopping avenues are packed with country clothing, artisan produce, outdoor kit and plenty of must-have finds that may well mean you’ll need an extra bag before the day is done.
The Main Arena has been keeping spectators entertained all morning, kicking off with the annual gun salute, while the fishing, shooting and gundog areas are alive with demonstrations, competitions and plenty of opportunities to get involved. Families have been enjoying discovering just how much there is to see and do, whether that’s meeting working dogs, watching displays or simply soaking up the unique Game Fair atmosphere. With delicious treats in abundance, food lovers have also been keen to pick up a taste of everything from across the sector, from fish to meat to artisan specialities.
Kicking things off in the Carter Jonas Game Fair Theatre was a thrilling array of talks including words from the Moorland Association, TV’s Henry Cole and Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Victoria Atkins. Atkins is in attendance post visiting the Festival of Hounds earlier this week, which she said was “steeped in what we [the Conservative Party] see as the future of the countryside.” Activities such as “Trail hunting, are legal activities and must stay as part of the rural community. The rural community must be protected.” She also reflected that her party would put Defra and Food production “at the heart of every policy we rollout as government. It would be our number one priority.”
And if you’ve only just arrived, don’t worry – there’s still plenty to come this afternoon.
Make sure you catch the spectacular displays in the Main Arena, take some time to wander through the over 400 exhibitors across the event, and head over to the fishing village, shooting lines and BASC Wild Food Kitchen Theatre, to try something new.
See the full timetable of the weekend’s events here.
Whether you’re here for a few hours or making a full weekend of it, we’re delighted to welcome you to The Game Fair 2026. If this morning is anything to go by, it’s going to be a fantastic weekend. Tickets for the rest of the weekend are available here.
