Connect through gaming and fandom

For the gamers

Level up your social life at Herts. From laid-back console nights to full-on esports energy, you’ll find your crew fast – both on campus and online. Add in gaming cafés, fan events and conventions, and you’ve got everything you need to jump in, play and connect from day one.

Gaming and esports communities

Dip in casually or throw yourself into a more serious gaming culture through Herts’ student-led gaming communities, who run regular socials, tournaments and esports events. Some evenings are built around low-pressure play and meeting new people; others lean into the thrill of competition, with organised fixtures and team-based events.

Off campus, Geek Retreat Stevenage (20 minutes by train) is a great shout when you want something a little more immersive. Its events calendar covers trading card games, tournament play and community sessions throughout the week, all in a space designed for people who genuinely love geek culture. Think less sterile games shop, more social HQ: tables in full flow, decks being shuffled, people swapping tips, and the familiar buzz of a place where everyone is there because they’re into the same things

Tabletop gaming and board game culture

If your idea of a great evening is strategy, alliances and a bit of friendly rivalry, you’ve got some strong local options.

d20 Board Game Cafe in Watford, is a hub for board game enthusiasts, offering hundreds of games alongside regular social nights, card game events and casual meet-ups. For something different, Royston Board Game Café is just over an hour away by train, while Dark Fire Café in St Albans is around 30 minutes by bus or a short train journey.

Across all these spaces, the vibe is the same: welcoming, social and easy to step into. You don’t need a full group or expert knowledge – just pull up a chair, jump in and let the games (and conversations) flow.

Comics, collectables and fandom spaces

For comics, collectables and fandom culture beyond the screens, there are a handful of cute, need-to-know places where stories leap off the pages and into the real-world.

Calamity Comics, based locally in Hatfield, runs regular tabletop sessions and trading card game nights, including Dungeons and Dragons campaigns and Magic: The Gathering meet-ups that bring different fandom communities together in one space.

For a bigger pop culture experience, Forbidden Planet in central London is a must. One of the UK’s leading retailers, it’s packed with comics, manga, figures and collectables, alongside signings, launches and fan events.

Conventions and large-scale fandom events

When you’re ready to go bigger, MCM Comic Con London is the main event. One of the UK’s largest pop culture celebrations, it brings together gaming, anime, comics and cosplay in one high energy space, with talks, releases, fan meet-ups and standout showcases.

The joy of Comic Con is not just the scale, but the sense of shared enthusiasm. Everyone is there because they care about something - a series, an artist, a game, a character, a world, and it’s often pretty easy to guess which, based on which costume they’ve adopted. That makes it one of the easiest places to strike up conversations, meet people and feel part of something much bigger than your own fandom corner.

Anime, manga and student fandom culture

Anime and manga culture is also active on campus through the Anime and Manga Society, where students come together to watch series, run themed socials and explore shared interests in Japanese media and culture.

Events range from game nights and craft sessions to themed parties, scavenger hunts and trips to conventions, creating a flexible mix of social and fandom-based activities throughout the year.

Discover more

Looking for more ways to connect, get involved and make the most of your time at Herts? Explore other opportunities to build friendships, discover new interests and become part of the wider community.