Where to find Magic: The Gathering in Chelmsford, Colchester and Essex: Friday Night Magic, Commander nights and the shops that stock Magic.
We list 11 venues where you can play or buy Magic across Chelmsford, Colchester and Essex, in 8 towns and neighbourhoods. Between them they run 5 regular sessions, most often on Fridays and Wednesdays. One of those is marked as beginner friendly. Nine have tables to play on site.
Venues with regular nights or tables to play on site, busiest first.
Independent games shop open since 2014 with five 6x4ft wargames tables and eight multiuse tables, free to use when booked online. Runs Friday Night Magic, Commander, Flesh and Blood and regular Age of Sigmar tournaments.
Trading card games shop in Witham selling Pokémon TCG, Magic: The Gathering, Lorcana, One Piece and more, plus Warhammer and roleplaying games. Runs a Pokémon League every Friday, Commander Night every Saturday and One Piece tournaments.
Large gaming centre with a hobby shop, a gaming hall of around 50 tables and a lounge restaurant, running weekly card game nights and wargames tournaments. Booking a table is recommended at weekends.
Independent comic and trading card shop on Lloyds Avenue, Ipswich. It runs weekly Pokémon TCG and Riftbound nights, a fortnightly Gym Leader Challenge league, Lorcana Set Championships, D&D one-shots and Magic prereleases.
Gaming cafe and shop near Chelmsford station selling trading card games, board games and model kits, with food and drink and regular tournaments, learn to play sessions and prereleases.
Hobby and trading card shop in Maldon selling Warhammer, Pokémon TCG, Magic: The Gathering and more, with in-store tournaments. Runs a monthly Pokémon League Challenge plus prereleases and Riftbound events, with tickets booked online.
Independent gaming cafe on Upper Brook Street, Ipswich, run by the former owners of Geek Retreat Ipswich in the same premises. It is listed for Magic: The Gathering and Disney Lorcana play.
Games shop at Barleylands Craft Village with gaming tables, selling Warhammer, Magic: The Gathering, Pokémon TCG and Lego, with Warhammer tournaments, Magic events and a Pokémon TCG league. Booking a table ahead is advised.
Board game and trading card game shop on Clarence Street with tables to book, a games library, food and drink. It runs in-store events including Riftbound nights, Pokémon League Challenges and prereleases.
We haven't confirmed play space or regular nights at these yet, so ask in store.
Trading card game shop on Broomfield Road, Chelmsford, selling Pokémon TCG, One Piece, Magic: The Gathering, Disney Lorcana, Yu-Gi-Oh! and Riftbound products in store and online.
Trading card and hobby shop at Barn Meadows, Rochford, selling Pokémon TCG, One Piece, Magic: The Gathering, Disney Lorcana and sports cards. Opens Wednesday to Sunday, mostly afternoons and evenings.
The weekly line-up. Times and formats can change, so check with the venue before you travel.
Wayland Games Centre Brentwood, Brentwood. Draft
Langden Games, Ipswich. Friday Night Magic
The venues with the most regular nights are Langden Games in Ipswich (3 nights), The Other Games in Witham (1 night) and Wayland Games Centre Brentwood in Brentwood (1 night). We list 11 venues in all across Chelmsford, Colchester and Essex.
Fridays and Wednesdays have the most regular sessions. Five sessions run every week. The Essex calendar shows what's on from today.
Yes. One regular night is marked as welcoming new players, including sessions at The Other Games. Staff at most venues are happy to teach, so mention it when you arrive.
Where there's an entry fee it is usually between £5 and £20, often with prizes or store credit included. Fees change, so check with the venue before you go.
A free weekly email of what's on in your area: tournaments, pre-releases, launch events and new regular nights. Plus a monthly round-up of new shops, clubs and game releases.
