COLLECT//PLAY · Founding vendors

Be One of the Founding 20

COLLECT//PLAY is not a standard hall of tables. The first event is being built as a curated proof-led launch, with a limited number of vendors, a target of around 500 visitors per day and the whole show designed around discovery, collecting and play.

Your table is not just a selling space. It becomes part of the visitor journey through the COLLECT//PLAY Passport, hidden Easter eggs, Flash Challenges and live leaderboard moments.

Apply for the Founding 20

Target dates: Saturday 19 December 2026 and Sunday 20 December 2026

Target opening hours: 9:00am–6:00pm each day — subject to venue confirmation

Venue to be announced — target dates subject to venue confirmation

Small by design

Why We’re Keeping Vendor Numbers Low

Most shows sell as many tables as the room can hold. We are taking the opposite approach for the first COLLECT//PLAY. By limiting the floor to around 20 confirmed vendors, we aim to give each vendor more visibility, reduce overcrowding, make the experience easier for families and create stronger footfall per table.

This also helps us prove the model properly: engaged visitors, clear vendor discovery, measurable collecting activity and better feedback from vendors and attendees. The first event is designed as a proof-led launch, with vendor experience and visitor engagement prioritised over packing the floor.

More attention per vendor

Fewer tables means visitors are not overwhelmed and each vendor has more chance to be seen.

Built-in discovery

Visitors are encouraged to find and collect participating vendors through the digital Passport.

Event-wide engagement

Flash Challenges, hidden Easter eggs and leaderboards give visitors reasons to move around the floor.

Founding partner status

Early vendors help shape the format before future larger COLLECT//PLAY events.

Discovery, not just a display

How the Passport Drives Visitors to Vendors

Every visitor can activate a COLLECT//PLAY Passport, included with admission. Participating vendors can be included as collectible stops. Visitors scan vendor QR codes to collect vendor cards, build progress, appear on leaderboards and complete the show.

Visitors do not need to buy anything to collect a vendor card. This keeps the experience fair and welcoming, while still bringing people directly to vendor tables.

Collectors discovering a vendor through a COLLECT//PLAY Passport display

Bursts of energy

Flash Challenges & Badges

Across the weekend we are aiming to run 8 Flash Challenges: 4 per day. Target opening hours: 9:00am–6:00pm each day — subject to venue confirmation. Times and challenge names remain TBC until venue and vendors are confirmed.

Flash Challenges are short, timed activities designed to create bursts of energy on the floor. They can involve collecting, searching, showing items, completing themed tasks or visiting specific areas of the show.

Each Flash Challenge can unlock a digital badge and may include a small prize. Selected vendors may be invited to sponsor or support a Flash Challenge. Badges and prizes are to be confirmed.

Optional Flash Challenge or badge sponsorship is expected to start from £150. This can support prize value, badge artwork, promotion and challenge placement. Sponsorship is optional, curated and confirmed manually before any payment is taken. No sponsorship payments are being taken yet.

Another reason to explore

Hidden Easter Egg Hunt

The Easter egg hunt is a hidden-card trail across the event. Visitors search for hidden Easter eggs, collect them in their Passport and compete to complete the trail.

Selected vendors may be invited to host, hide or support an Easter egg. This gives visitors another reason to discover vendor tables and explore the floor. Easter egg placement is controlled by the event team to keep the game fair.

Not every vendor will receive a Flash Challenge or Easter egg placement. We curate these opportunities around the whole visitor journey.

A place in the experience

What Vendors Get

Full weekend table application from £250
Consideration for the curated Founding 20 selection
Public vendor profile if accepted
Place in the digital Passport vendor collection if accepted and participating
Opportunity to be discovered through visitor collecting
Eligibility for Flash Challenge/badge sponsorship by selection
Possible Easter egg involvement
Pre-event promotion for accepted vendors
Vendor portal and readiness checklist
Clear briefing before the event

Applying does not guarantee acceptance, sales or footfall. These are our launch aims, not attendance promises. Bring your own stock, displays, selling equipment and stall staff; tables, chairs and power arrangements remain TBC.

Quality, variety & audience fit

Who We’re Looking For

Trading cards6 spaces

Retro gaming3 spaces

Comics, manga & illustration3 spaces

Figures & memorabilia3 spaces

Artists & makers3 spaces

Collector accessories2 spaces

These are selection targets, not guaranteed bookings. We choose for quality, variety, price range, approachability and fit with the audience.