ALL ABOARD EXPO 2026: Take Your Inner Gamer Beyond The Next Level
Last year, walking through the expo halls, I watched so many fresh faces take their very first steps into the world of modern board games. For a lot of them, "board gaming" meant childhood memories of Monopoly, Scrabble, or Uno. Suddenly, they were standing in front of hundreds of complex, vibrant titles filling the tables. I'll be honest. Knowing where to even begin in a room like that can feel incredibly overwhelming.
That’s exactly why we created the Battle Pass. But I have a confession to make: last year, I was actually pretty skeptical about it. I wasn't sure if people would want another checklist or if they'd find it gimmicky. Man, I have never been so happy to be wrong! Seeing the pure excitement and energy from everyone running around, eager to level up their passes, completely blew me away. My friends Mhike and Kaye over at Dice 22 PH took it to a whole new level; they loved the experience so much they actually framed their completed pins!
What I love most about the Battle Pass is that it doubles as the ultimate, pressure-free guide for anyone new to the hobby. Instead of wandering around wondering what to play, it gives you a fun, approachable roadmap to discover different games and tackle cool challenges at your own pace.
This year, we’re back, and we're dreaming bigger. We are welcoming you with a BIGGER and better Battle Pass (literally!). We've leaned heavily into making it even more gamified this time around: expect sneaky "skips" to help you navigate and even secret levels waiting to be unlocked. With brand-new titles, fresh mechanics, and way more rewards waiting for you, it's a whole new way to experience the floor.
The Battle Pass: Your Ultimate Adventure Guide
The most anticipated adventure guide returns with even more ways to explore games! Hop aBOARD and look out for your top picks, from the fast-paced trail of Metro Bingo to a grand strategic finish with Grand Archive. As you progress along the track during the expo, you will be a step closer to earning exclusive badge rewards!
Aside from hundreds of games, ranging from fan-favorites to new releases, there are also more options to choose how you want to complete each game tile! You can either:
-
PLAY a game at the designated booth or main hall library
-
BUY the game at the Expo Shop (and snag amazing deals!)
-
SKIP by using an Early Bird Sticker, by joining a tournament (Kindly look for Fred at the Competitive Zone to claim stickers),
-
SKIP by visiting the designated Partner Skip Zone
—or simply play it normally!
Each completed stage unlocks a badge reward. You can finish each stage in any order you prefer, but the previous stages must be completed first before claiming rewards from the succeeding stages.
The Five Stages of Play:
-
Stage 1: Novice Settler Start your tabletop journey with casual / party games. If you are completely new to the hobby, this is your perfect launchpad. Dive into fast-paced, high-energy, and easy-to-learn titles like Metro Bingo, Ding!, and Kushi Express.
-
Stage 2: The Gateway Explorer Move into evergreens and gateway games (games anyone can enjoy). Think party games with a more complex rules. Ready to see what modern board gaming truly has to offer? This stage features crowd-pleasers with a bit more flavor, featuring hits like King of Tokyo: Godzilla, Torii, and Trio.
-
Stage 3: Enthusiastic Builder Step into engine-building and puzzle games. This is where you start tinkering with spatial puzzles and light strategy. Test your wits with gorgeous, engaging titles like Cascadia, Harmonies, and Let's Go! To Japan.
-
Stage 4: The Resource Strategist Manage your assets and turn every move to your advantage. Ready to flex those tactical muscles? This tier challenges you to optimize your choices and outmaneuver your opponents in deeper strategy games like Ashes: Ascendancy, Dice Throne, and Shallow Sea.
-
Stage 5: The Heavy Gamer Master complex mechanics and outwit other players. The ultimate destination on the track. This stage is reserved for heavy-hitting, deep strategic experiences like The White Castle. We've also explicitly unlocked Trading Card Games (TCGs) here—like Grand Archive—because the sheer variety of card pools and deck-building options adds a massive layer of rewarding complexity.
VIP Quests: Beyond The Next Level
Venture beyond the journey with brand-new challenges!
The Battle Pass embraces local culture by introducing Filipino mythology-inspired quests, bringing local folklore into the tabletop experience for both local and foreign participants alike.
Mythic Quest
As the sixth and final track of the Battle Pass, the Mythic Quest is designed for advanced players to showcase their passion beyond the Level 5 stage.
To complete this quest, you must clear all five stages alongside the Bakunawa route. Earn the limited edition Bakunawa Mythic Pin as your reward!
Note: Only Bakunawa Pass Holders are eligible to complete this quest. Kindly register or upgrade here — limited slots available!
Enchanted Quest
Adding charm to the journey, the Enchanted Quest offers players a distinctive Battle Pass experience. Inspired by the Filipino folklore of the Ibong Adarna—a magical bird whose song can heal people but also put listeners to sleep and turn them to stone, this challenge requires players to finish the journey while resisting the Adarna’s enchanting song (yes, that means no skip stickers!).
To complete this quest, participants must complete all five stages and Bakunawa track (if applicable) without skipping a single tile. Earn the limited edition Adarna Enchanted Pin once the challenge is completed!
Note: Only Adarna and Bakunawa Pass Holders are eligible to complete this quest. Kindly register or upgrade here—limited slots available!
Reasons To Finish Your Battle Pass Journey!
If you’re not yet fully convinced to clear your Battle Pass journey, here are more reasons to cross the finish line:
-
Explore newly released games and view classics with a fresh perspective
-
Build connections with other participants.
-
Earn exclusive rewards featuring amazing artwork by Filipino artist Ferd Torres and Harmonies illustrator Maeva Da Silva!
-
Claim your bragging rights as a heavy gamer— maybe even as a Mythic gamer!
Not quite convinced? Take a peek on this challenge for determined adventurers…
The first 5 Bakunawa Pass and 5 Non-Bakunawa Pass Holders to finish the entire map will each receive a mystery board game!
Junior Pass: A Young Adventurer’s Guide to Tabletop
Designed for players ages 12 and below, the Junior Pass is an adventure map that leads them interactive tabletop play!
Unlock their problem-solving prowess and build social confidence as they connect with fellow players. From brain-teasing puzzles to wordplay sprints, keep them engaged hunting for cool board games to play with their peers or bring home to the fam!
As they climb their way through each stage, they will earn exclusive sticker badges. It’s the ultimate off-screen adventure for kids! Plan out your strategy, team up with friends, and navigate your own adventure.
Hop along for another thrilling adventure at ALL aBOARD EXPO 2026 and register now!
About Gaming Library
Gaming Library is your ultimate destination for board games, offering a diverse selection perfect for families, friends, and gamers of all levels—from beginners to seasoned pros. 🌟 We carefully curate our collection by sourcing the best titles from around the globe, ensuring there’s something for everyone, whether you’re a casual player or a hardcore hobbyist. 🎲 Our mission is to bring people together, strengthen family bonds, and create lasting friendships through the joy of tabletop gaming. Beyond the fun, we believe board games are a powerful way to develop essential skills and sharpen critical thinking—skills you can carry into everyday life. Explore our world of games and discover the perfect match for your next game night!
