The Asian Board Games Festival (ABGF) is set to launch its first edition in the Philippines and will bring together enthusiasts for a celebration of tabletop gaming from across the region. Set for May 2-3, 2026, at the Bayanihan Center in Kapitolyo, Pasig City, the event promises free entry to all ages and experience levels to push for collaborations and community-building through play and discovery.
Asian Board Games Festival Philippines
Originating in Singapore in 2019, Asian Board Games Festival was founded by local board game publisher Origame to highlight the works of Asian publishers, designers, and artists. In a digital age that craves offline connections, the event taps into the booming tabletop games industry. Valued at 18.4 to 21.5 billion dollars globally in 2025-2026, the market is projected to exceed 30 billion by 2030, fueled by hobby gaming, crowdfunding, and board game cafes. While Western titles dominate, ABGF aims to elevate Asian creations and nurture the regional scene. The Philippines marks the fourth host country after Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand.
The two-day event will feature over 200 games from more than 30 publishers across 10 nations: Singapore, Indonesia, Japan, China, Malaysia, South Korea, Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam, and the Philippines.
Attendees can explore, try, and purchase party games, strategic titles, family-friendly options, and culturally themed experiences reflecting Asia’s diversity.
Highlighted Games and Publishers
Titles to look out for include Origame’s Buffet Boss and Wok and Roll, capturing culinary fun. Malaysia’s Cili Padi Games presents Dancing Queen, which is a winner of the BoardGameGeek 9-Card Game Design Contest. South Korea’s Underdog Games has Inconversible, a quirky take on post-breakup Instagram photo deletions. These and other titles promise interactive booths where visitors engage directly with creators.
Community Focus
“When you come to ABGF, you feel part of a community,” said Daryl Chow, Origame founder and ABGF originator. Unlike transactional markets, the festival emphasizes genuine interactions.
“In ABGF Singapore, you really talk to the designers. You learn about why they make games. No designer will say they have no time for you because for people who make games, connecting with people who play makes everything worthwhile.”
Free admission encourages broad participation, with an optional ABGF Play Passport for purchase. This allows attendees to collect stamps from various countries by playing their games. Those who complete the stamps are then eligible to claim exclusive prizes. More details will be announced soon.
ABGF Philippines is co-organized by Origame and Filipino publisher Larong Atin, which is known for Darna at ang Nawawalang Bato, Hugot, and PlataPorma, and seeks to publish accessible, innovative Pinoy games for global audiences.
Beyond Booths
Asian Board Games Festival Philippines extends to enriching activities like panel talks from industry veterans on breaking into design and art. The designer talks will offer insights into favorites’ creative processes. Author Berlin Manalaysay will debut his new komiks “Death Metal”, while toy makers Quiccs and TidoDojo will also unveil their Combatron toy collaboration; Larong Atin will also run demos of Combatron Komiks Kombat Arena, its new miniatures tabletop game.
For more information, you may send an email to info.larongatin@gmail.com, contact Duan Banzon at 0917–874–2789, or click here.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: When and where is Asian Board Games Festival Philippines happening?
A: The event takes place on May 2-3, 2026, at the Bayanihan Center in Kapitolyo, Pasig City.
Q: Is entry to Asian Board Games Festival Philippines free, and who can attend?
A: Yes, admission is free for all ages and experience levels.
Q: What games and publishers will be featured?
A: Over 200 games from 30+ publishers in 10 countries, including Buffet Boss, Dancing Queen, and Inconversible.
Q: What additional activities are planned?
A: Panel talks, designer talks, and launches like Death Metal komiks and Combatron demos.
Q: How can attendees get prizes at the event?
A: Purchase the Asian Board Games Festival Play Passport, collect stamps by playing international games, and redeem exclusives.