Friends Across the Board 2026

Join 200+ board gamers for four days of open gaming, events, play-to-win prizes, and then more games!

Bring anything you’d like to play or something from the Play-to-Win table and grab a “looking for players” sign! The convention will be similar to other local board game events, so if you have been to WhoseTurn, TGBT, TantrumCon or even Jeff’s Stra-tee-gery meetup group you have a good idea of the vibe.

Event Features

• Open gaming all day until midnight
• Play-to-Win games
• Door prizes, raffles, and other special games & awards
• Special featured events:
  • Special guest and attendee-hosted Events to Come!

Our Location: Wake County Shrine Club

6015 Lead Mine Road

Our convention will take place in their huge ballroom and event facility. The con will close at 12 midnight Thu, Fri and Sat and will end at 7pm on Sunday evening. Food and non-alcoholic drinks are allowed. Snacks and sodas will be sold at the registration desk.

(We will have mostly rectangular tables, not the circular tables pictured. They were setting up for a banquet the day we took pictures.)

Special Guest TBA

What is Play-to-Win?

Play-to-win is a fun way to try a bunch of games and maybe even win it! Publishers supply games that they want people to enjoy. All you need to do is visit the Play-to-win table, pick up a game, and play it. When you return it, everyone that played can enter the drawing to win that game at the end of the con. The winner of each game will be drawn at 9pm on Saturday evening. One entry per player per game, must be present to win.

What Games Can You Play-to-Win?

Play-to-win games will be announced in the month before the con.

Special thanks to the Double Exposure Envoy Program for help with convention support and play-to-win!

Policies and Rules

• Our event is open and welcoming to everyone. Gamers are generally a friendly and tolerant crowd, but we have to say it anyway: No harassment of any kind will be tolerated -- be a good human and everything will be fine! Please read the full list of convention rules and policies here.
• We will have a storage space around the perimeter of the ballroom for you to bring and share games with other attendees. Please label any games you bring with your name and contact info.
• Convention tickets are only available to those 12 years or older. Children 11 and younger are free to attend but must be supervised at all times by a parent or guardian.

Who is Putting on this Show?