Visitors at The Game Fair interact with a pack of hounds, guided by traditionally dressed handlers, on a sunny field with vendor stalls in the background.

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A brief guide to The Game Fair 2026

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Will Pocklington

Head of Content, Schöffel Country

Will studied Countryside and Environmental Management at Harper Adams University before forging a career in print journalism, editing several shooting and conservation titles. Now at Schöffel Country, he remains as passionate as ever about fieldsports, conservation and wild food.

Published 17 July 2025 | Last updated 16 July 2026

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A brief guide to The Game Fair 2026

History, highlights, what to expect, and key information... This is your 10-minute guide to this year’s Game Fair at Ragley Hall. We’ll see you there!

Dubbed the festival of the countryside by its organisers, and ‘Glastonbury for the green welly brigade’ by The Telegraph, The Game Fair is the world’s largest celebration of British fieldsports and country life.

The annual event, which this year celebrates its 68th anniversary, is a true highlight of the countryside calendar. From 24-26 July, in the region of 130,000 people are expected to descend on the Ragley Estate in Warwickshire, home of the 9th Marquess of Hertford. And the Schöffel Country team will be there, too.

So, what to expect? Why and how does The Game Fair continue to prove such a draw for so many? What’s on the agenda for 2026? Read on and we’ll unpack some of the highlights – and, we hope, give you a flavour of the three-day summertime spectacle.

Woman wearing a Schöffel cap interacting with a man at the Game Fair

The Game Fair is a great place to catch up with like-minded people.

A brief history of The Game Fair

The very first Game Fair was put on in 1958 at Stetchworth Park in Cambridgeshire by the (then) Country Landowners’ Association (CLA), supposedly on a budget of just £500. There were only 30 stands on the now-famous Gunmaker’s Row, 55 exhibitors in total, and 8,500 visitors. The programme was filled with fly casting demonstrations, clay pigeon shooting, archery, rifle shooting competitions, and gundogs.

Over the decades that followed, the fair moved around the country; to date it has been hosted at 28 different locations. It visited Scotland (Blair Drummond near Stirling) for the first time in 1964, Wales (Glanusk Park, Powys) for the first time in 1976, and the likes of Stratford Saye, Belvoir Castle, Chatsworth House, Harewood House, Woburn Abbey and Broadlands since, changing from a two-day event to a three-day event in 1979.

The Game Fair hosts some prestigious competitions, too. The Home International, for example, which sees gundogs and handlers from four nations compete in a series of challenging tests, has featured since 1969.

Up until 2016, the CLA continued to run the event, and then Stable Events took the reins. The show has since alternated between Ragley Hall in Warwickshire and Hatfield House in Hertfordshire, each time being officially opened by a gun salute which takes place in the main arena and has involved as many as 64 people giving it both barrels. In 2024, it returned to Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire. And now we’re heading back to Ragley again...

Ragley Hall surrounded by green fields and trees under a clear blue sky.

Ragley Hall in Warwickshire will host The Game Fair in 2026.

What’s on at The Game Fair 2026

From ferrets and falconry to cooking demonstrations, lively debates, competitions and bargain hunting, there’s a huge array of things to do and see at The Game Fair. Whether you’re there for the duration or just a single day, it’s worth working out what is on and when so you can make the most of it. Below, we’ve picked out some of the key features of the event; the rest is up to you…

Have a go at The Game Fair

The Game Fair has a long-held reputation for its breadth and diversity of have-a-go activities for people of all ages and experience levels. From archery, airgun shooting, clay pigeon shooting and fly casting and tying, to polo, dog agility and coarse fishing, it’s a great place to learn about an activity – or indulge in one that you’re already interested in – under the supervision of qualified coaches.

On the shooting line, for example, which is expertly run by the team from E.J. Churchill, visitors can find a range of stands showing everything from simple practice targets for beginners to competition stands that will test even the most seasoned Shots. The likes of BASC and CPSA, meanwhile, will have their own offerings which are accessible and reasonably priced with all the kit on hand.

A black cocker spaniel dog jumping over bales of hay

You could spend the whole day ‘having a go’ at different activities – from fly fishing and clay shooting to dog handling – if you wished.

For the keen anglers, Canal & River Trust coaches will be in attendance to share their wisdom on everything from casting and fly selection to kit and fieldcraft.

Perhaps a 4x4 driving experience appeals? Well, there will also be the chance navigate various challenging terrains with Isuzu and Mitsubishi.

Join the debate in The Game Fair Theatre

Every year, numerous MPs and celebrities visit The Game Fair, many of whom star in the Carter Jonas Game Fair Theatre at some point across the three days. A central hub where you can sit in the shade and watch discussions on a broad range of subjects, there is often the opportunity for audience members to put their questions to those on stage – that’s if host Charlie Jacoby hasn’t already turned the screw.

The topic in focus might be rural access, the future of commercial game shooting, firearms licensing issues, qualifications in fieldsports… examples abound. There’s something for everyone and the full schedule is usually displayed in the show guide and outside the theatre area itself.

Man watching a dog show at the Game Fair with trees and stalls in the background.

From competitions to demonstrations, there’s always plenty to watch.

Watch and learn

Of course, if you’re simply looking for some respite from the shopping, activities, walking and (hopefully) the heat of the summer sun, you might like to simply sit and watch one of the many demonstrations that pepper the show schedule.

Usually found at the heart of the event, the Main Arena is a good place to start and over the course of the three days plays host to an array of spectacles – some insightful, some entertaining, some a mixture of the two. Falconry, hound parades, carriage driving, gundog displays, and the notorious Shetland Pony Grand National are just a few highlights to look out for this year at Ragley Hall.

Elsewhere, in dedicated areas, you’ll find rings and stages that specialise in a particular topic. That might be gundogs, pugs n’ drummers (do look it up), or the Wild Food Kitchen. Well-known demonstrators and presenters often feature.

Eat

Both a treat for the senses and a fitting celebration of food from the Great British countryside, the Totally Food Area is a great place to explore – and certainly where you should head if you’re hungry. From wild game burgers and pheasant goujon wraps to biltong, traditional cider, ice cream, hedgerow-fruit tipples and so much more, whether you’re looking for lunch or on the hunt for a gift for a foodie friend, the choice is remarkable.

Breaded and fried food in small metal buckets.

The Totally Food Area is well worth a visit if wild produce is your thing.

Elsewhere at The Game Fair you’ll find various dining options. For something a little more refined, there’s the VIP Enclosure, majoring on local British produce. Meanwhile, the Gunmakers Arms & Grub, Dog & Duck, and Hare & Hound are all options with real merit.

Shopping at The Game Fair

One of the largest retail areas in Europe for its duration, The Game Fair typically boasts in the region of a thousand stands selling a smorgasbord of goods and services spanning fieldsports, equine activities, land and estate management, country lifestyle, and many more. If you want to see a product first hand, try on a particular piece of clothing or footwear, or speak to the people behind the brands, you could do a lot worse than a trip to Ragley.

The revered Gunmakers’ Row will once again be a hub for shopping as hundreds of brands display their wares. Whether you’re in the market for a shooting coat, a shotgun, a thermal spotter, or a new flask, search and you will very likely find…

Schöffel fleece jackets on hangers with a blurred background of people shopping.

Four of Schöffel Country’s retailers will be in attendance at The Game Fair.

Find Schöffel Country at The Game Fair…

Once again, Schöffel Country will be at The Game Fair, and if you come and find us on the Bredon Hill Country stand C531 we’ll be on hand to chat through the features of our latest styles as well as our Game Fair collection. So whether you’re looking to refresh your summer wardrobe, add a new colour of gilet to your collection, or invest in a new waterproof coat, our team will be on hand to help and advise.

In addition to Bredon Hill Country, there will be three more of our retailers exhibiting at the show. Do pay them a visit!

Philip Morris & Son – stand G1287

Elm of Burford – stand G1080

Brocklehurst’s – stand 110 President’s Avenue

The Game Fair 2026 – FAQs

Where is The Game Fair 2026?

Ragley Hall, Alcester, B49 5NJ

When is The Game Fair 2026?

Friday 24 – Sunday 26 July 2026

Where to park at The Game Fair 2026?

Parking is free and signposted for visitors and exhibitors. But there are paid options for both ‘in show’ and ‘forward’ parking’ – see here.

How much are tickets for The Game Fair 2026?

See The Game Fair website. Adult tickets for a single day start from £38, but there are concessionary rates and packages that include camping, food, and forward parking.

Members of the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) qualify for complimentary entry and guest ticket rates, and must pre-register online.

We look forward to seeing you there!

For more information about The Game Fair, visit thegamefair.org