⚡HandyCon: Day Zero – ESSEN Showcase ⚡

We’re unlocking HandyCon one day early for up to 100 players who want to tackle the games most people fear to start.

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Game Organiser Early Release Link. *released on Sunday, the 12th of October

Next Day Zero Tickets October 2025

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HandyCon 18 Day Zero - Essen Showcase - October 2025

Thursday:

£5 entry from 10 AM

£3 late-entry from 5 PM

First, feel free to play whatever takes your fancy in this HandyCon Day Zero.

Essen Showcase, where we will have a special mini library in the large gaming area of all the new releases we are able to pick up from Essen, will include some of the latest games we've already picked up this year (Vantage, Galactic Cruise, Kingdom Crossing). Of course, we won't control what you play, you can play whatever you fancy, but you will have far more access to these games than over the weekend when others may be using them.

Some titles that may be available: *Disclaimer - there is no guarantee we will get the games in the pictures, we will do our best and will report back on Friday and Sunday before Handycon.

Day Zero is laser-focused on gameplay:

There’ll be no bring & buy, no library, no exhibitors—just you, your table, and the epic session you’ve always said you’d play if only you had the time.

Arriving after work or later in the day? Why not buy one of our Thursday evening tickets, which entitles you to gaming in the main room before the convention officially starts, in addition to early Lanyard collection, avoiding the queues on Friday morning and picking up your tickets and lanyards the night before?

Day Zero Tickets 

>> Please note that January won't have a Day Zero, as it is in school term time. However, we hope to have one again in August 2026.

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Previous Day's Zero & Themes:

HandyCon 17 - ⚡ Only for the Bold ⚡

Think Twilight Imperium, The Colonists, Age of Empires, or any other all-day beast that rarely hits the table. 🎯 One big game. One long day. No distractions.