Board Game Smackdown

image of event
Add to favourites

Comedy (game show, improv)

Venue Age Restriction: Strictly 18+ after 18:00

Description

The cult hit is back! The funniest Fringe performers play board/card/party games live on stage. Hosted by award-winning comedian and UK board game champion, James Cook. See website for listings, video clips and more.

Please note that while all media gallery content is provided by verified members of the event, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society does not review or approve this content before it is posted. Reports of inappropriate content or copyright infringement can be directed to [email protected].

General venue access

  • Accessible entry: flight of stairs

    • Wheelchair access type: Not fully wheelchair accessible

  • Stairs: 11- 20
    Number of stairs is provided as guidance and is not in addition to any wheelchair access type (lift/ramp etc) stated above.

Each venue can contain several space with different accessibly information. Visit the venue page for full venue accessibility info

How and when to make an access booking

Our access tickets service is available to anyone who:

  • Would like to book specific accessibility services, e.g. a hearing loop, audio description headsets, captioning units, seating in relation to the location of the BSL interpreter
  • Requires extra assistance when at a venue
  • Has specific seating requirements
  • Is a wheelchair user
  • Requires a complimentary personal assistant ticket to attend a performance

James Tolmie 35 days ago

Brilliant fun, the host is fantastic and guests were hilarious.

Report abuse

BSTSG 40 days ago

Really funny and enjoyable. A very nerdy but well spent hour!

Report abuse

Ed B 40 days ago

Really funny, we all enjoyed it! Board games panel show format worked really well.

Report abuse

Connie Fawcett 41 days ago

Very funny and entertaining

Report abuse

Ding 42 days ago

Absolutely brilliant, 5 stars. Who knew Guess Who could be so entertaining?!

Report abuse

Grace 43 days ago

Really enjoyed this show, I thought the format worked well and there were a lot of laughs. It was also a good way to get recommendations/ideas for games to play with friends!

Report abuse

Sarah Watt 43 days ago

Got into watching Board game smack down over lockdown and it had me hooked. The live show is amazing and loved being able to see it in person. Going again today because it was so great!

Report abuse

Dave James 44 days ago

Q - What’s funnier than playing random games you’ve never heard of with you mates?

A - Watching comedians playing random games you’ve never heard of on stage!

This was epic. Great fun and a tonne of laughs.

(Plus days lost ordering games online)

Report abuse

Sue H 46 days ago

LOVED this show. Never seen it before but will now add to our favourites for future visits!

Report abuse

Leo Thornton 46 days ago

A great and fun way to show people the fun and joy of party board games. A genuine giggle

Report abuse

Stoo Pittaway 47 days ago

Throughly enjoyable. Great way to spend an hour in the middle of the day during the Fringe. Get yourself down to one of these shows if you can.

Report abuse

Phil Tredinnick 49 days ago

Love this show - never fails to deliver!

Report abuse

Lars Vogelenzang 50 days ago

Awesome line up, awesome concept, awesome public interaction. A winner!

Report abuse

Richard Cooke 50 days ago

If you've ever played the latest board game on Christmas day this is the show for you. Watching four comedians make fools of themselves is a bonus.

Report abuse

Gregory Stewart Roper 51 days ago

Absolutely incredible. Best part of the show I went to was the panel playing guess who with audience members! Will definitely go back!

Report abuse

Jacob B 53 days ago

Highly recommend for board game fans. It had us crying with laughter & totally relatable - like board gaming with friends! Came away with a few new board game ideas. Would definitely go again.

Report abuse

Lorraine Blacker 53 days ago

THE reason we came back to the Fringe!! Absolutely not to be missed. A brilliant concept and so entertaining!

Report abuse

TJ Carr 53 days ago

Wonderful show, came for the laughs and left with 3 new game reccomendations. The comedians were all a delight!

Report abuse

Steve Jefferies 53 days ago

Good show, which of course depends on the game and the guests. Either way James is an excellent hosts and keeps the pace up well.
Definitely worth an hour of your time

Report abuse

Amabel Thornton 54 days ago

So happy that James Cook is back at Edinburgh Fringe with Board Game Smackdown as it is one of my favourite shows and is pretty much guaranteed to reduce me to tears of laughter. As it is part of Free Festival it is free to get in and you can pay on exit if you think it was worth it (hint, in my opinion it will be). With a different line-up each day and a variety of games for the guests to play you could go every day and have a great time. Definitely a five star show.

Report abuse

Mark Douglas 54 days ago

What an amazing and funny show.’the games were well planned out and explained and the comedians were on top form

Report abuse

Madeleine Johnson 54 days ago

Always worth a visit. A lot of fun and great that it’s part of the free fringe. Helps if you like board games but definitely not essential

Report abuse

Jessica 54 days ago

Lots of fun. Would recommend.

Report abuse

Chloe 54 days ago

Really good and really funny!

Report abuse

David Wells 55 days ago

Always a highlight of the Fringe - it never disappoints. This is comedians playing board games in a sort of game show format. Very funny whether you're a board game fan or a comedy fan.

Report abuse

Kevin McD 55 days ago

This show is a delight from start to finish. Fun for all the family, it’s really clear that the comics love doing it and it is a truly unique Edinburgh experience. James Cooke is a wonderful host and it’s the kind of show you can come back to year after year as a guaranteed good time.

Report abuse

Tom SC 56 days ago

Terrible. Most of the time was spent with the comedians puzzling over the rules of the game and squabbling rather than making any jokes. They seemed to lose interest later on and tried to bring it to an end. Many in the audience appeared to want the same. The host also lost interest towards the end. We regretted afterwards not having used the time to get a bite to eat instead.

Report abuse

Participants - for further details on our audience and published review policies, including how to add or opt out of reviews, please click here.

There are no professional reviews for this show.

Participants - for further details on our audience and published review policies, including how to add or opt out of reviews, please click here.

Please login to add a review

Participants - for further details on our audience and published review policies, including how to add or opt out of reviews, please click here.