Can you believe Xbox has been around for 25 years already? I recall stepping into a GAME retail store all those years ago and catching sight of Halo for the first time. I was very much a Playstation player at that stage, but the thrill of something new drew me in. Ever since then, I was a convert, opting for the green side every generation. Imagine my joy when the Xbox team announced a Fanfest tour around the world in key locations. Xbox Fanfest London 2026 has just wrapped up a joyous day on Saturday, 26th September 2026, in a cosy yet idyllic venue known as Shoreditch Electric.
A Fitting Celebration of All Things Xbox
Numbers were extremely limited, and the majority who were selected to go were lucky enough to win free tickets. The only way to get through those doors was if you were lucky enough to win in the sweepstakes draw. Alas, I was not fortunate enough to be selected in the sweepstakes. Though I did win the Germany one in Cologne, I sadly couldn’t make the trip across Europe. Thankfully, the Xbox UK gods and goddesses were looking out for me and invited me along.
I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect here, although I did have sort of an idea what could be there. As some events in LA, Cologne and Tokyo had already taken place, I figured there would be some similarities. After queuing for around an hour and a little confusion about me being on a press list, we were in and away. Greeted by an Xbox 25th anniversary-themed bag with some goodies immediately. A Fresh Ego Kid Xbox-themed baseball cap, a free controller dock for the new 25th Anniversary controller and some sweets. What I didn’t anticipate was just how much more you could grab around the event, with chances to win big prizes.
World’s First Playable Demo of Fable
Fans were met by the biggest surprise, that was the first playable demo of the highly anticipated Fable. Slots had to be pre-booked, which allowed you to crack on with other stuff until it was your turn. Some of the Playground Games team were on hand to answer questions about the game; it was nice to have them there. If you fancied kicking some chickens, then there was a fun game to play, scoring points by booting them.
Hands-On With Other Upcoming Games
You could also play some other titles that aren’t quite available yet. Gears of War E-Day, Call of Duty Modern Warfare 4 and Minecraft Dungeons 2 all featured and, again, had time slots, but if you were there the entire day, you had ample time to get a go on each. Some games had their own competitions going on throughout the day, which added even more excitement. Members of The Coalition were also there, answering fans’ questions and signing posters during meet-and-greet sessions.
Pub Quizzes With Major Nelson & Aceybongos
Big Xbox personalities Major Nelson and Aceybongos linked up to provide pub quizzes to the masses. Every person who entered had a different generation of Xbox on their lanyard. Mine was the Xbox One logo; each quiz was specific to the lanyard you were wearing. This meant bringing the fans together with their respective lanyards for a bit of quiz fun. A nice touch in the concourse on such a sunny day; it almost felt like summer.
Loads of Other Fun Xbox-Themed Activities
If you were waiting for your time slots to get hands-on with the games, there was tons of other fun stuff to get stuck into. Fans who took their own Xbox controller along could have them custom decorated by an artist with 25th anniversary theming. Those over the age of 18 could have a real tattoo by specially hired tattoo artists. With a sheet full of Xbox-inspired flash designs such as the achievement unlocked tattoo, the Xbox logo and a whole feast more.
Fans were also given the choice of two posters: one special limited edition Xbox 25th Anniversary poster, with the option of two designs. These were put together by the talented artist Ollie Hoff. You could then choose another poster from a huge selection of games, so I picked Gears of War E-Day. Alongside these were darts events, heavily subsidised food options, free cans of Monster Energy, along with another three cans of soft drink or Gears of War-themed beer called Beers of War.
Final Thoughts
You could instantly see as you walked through the doors how much effort the Xbox UK team put into this event. There were moments during the event where I felt a tad emotional. I wasn’t sure why; I think it was a mixture of happiness at being there amongst friends and new faces, alongside the memories of 25 years of gaming. Being in the room with the different generations of Xbox consoles made me realise everything I’d lived through and experienced. Xbox has provided me with great games, incredible memories, new connections, lifelong friends and endless experiences. Being able to celebrate that alongside fellow fans, great mates and industry veterans was a privilege. Not to mention the touching and meaningful bag of quality free swag collected throughout the day, a lovely memento. I walked away with a huge smile and a wish to do it all again someday soon
I’d like to personally thank the Xbox UK team for inviting me along to a magnificent day, a memory that will be cemented in my mind forever. A huge thank you to Samuel Bateman, bexbomb, gottabehenry, and Charleyy Hodson for having me.