The Heart Of The Sport - The Game Fair 2026

Images By Matt Kidd

Beyond the hum of the main arena and the distant crack of clay shooting, there is an unmistakable sense of homecoming. While it stands as the ultimate celebration of the British countryside, its beating heart is not just the land - it is the people.

For the GunsOnPegs community, it is the annual anchor of the sporting calendar. From 24-26 July 2026, the historic grounds of Ragley Hall will once again transform into the definitive hub for rural heritage, conservation, and outdoor living.

The bedrock of the trade

For those who live by the season, Gunmakers’ Row remains the undisputed soul of the event. This year, the stakes are elevated as it celebrates Beretta’s 500th anniversary, a milestone that underscores the incredible heritage on display. Alongside an impressive Italian presence, the titans of British gun making will return with heritage houses including Holland & Holland, Boss & Co., Westley Richards, E.J. Churchill, and Longthorne standing alongside specialists like The Oxford Gun Company and William Powell.

Crucially, Gunmakers’ Row is not merely a retail exhibition. It’s an immersive tribute to living history. Visitors can watch individual artisans, such as barrel makers and engravers, practice their intricate trades. Underscoring this commitment to heritage, Bill Blacker, Chairman of the Certification Panel of the Worshipful Company of Gunmakers, will be present at Gunmakers’ Court to champion traditional British gun making skills. This commitment to preservation is why The Game Fair remains the world’s premier shooting exhibition.

Heritage, style and substance

The ‘family feel’ of the show extends far beyond the gun racks. It is found in the canvas stands of multi-generational businesses that have turned the ‘lanes’ at Ragley Hall into a warm, living room of country style.

Whether you are admiring the tailoring of Welligogs, exploring the field-inspired designs of Spent Shells, or discussing a new sofa with Da Vinci Furniture, you are speaking directly to the people whose names are on the door. It is a refreshing antidote to the dizzying pace of modern retail.

What else is going on?

While tradition is the anchor, the 2026 event is brimming with so many ways to engage with the countryside:

· The prestigious Home International returns to the Working Dog Ring. It is an unparalleled opportunity to watch the finest spaniels and retrievers at work and consult with the world’s best breeders and trainers.

· New to The Game Fair Shoot Line, Rally Clays is a fast, friendly, head-to-head clay shooting challenge where two shooters compete point by point. It is easy to understand, exciting to watch and even better to try for yourself.

· From the ‘field-to-fork’ delights of the Totally Food market to the VIP Enclosure, where Marco Pierre White will curate the menu, the culinary offering is world-class. Don't miss Dick and Angel Strawbridge on Sunday, or a cocktail shaken by The Game Fair’s own mixologist Merlin Griffiths

· A new addition, The Modern Ruralist Craft Yard will celebrate the living rural skills - from wheelwrights to dry stone wallers - who underpin our countryside

Whether you are a seasoned field sports veteran or looking to introduce the next generation to the fold, The Game Fair is where heritage meets a fabulous festival of our countryside.

Join us at Ragley Hall this July - use code GOP15 to get 15% off your tickets.
Dates: 24-26 July 2026
Location: Ragley Hall, Warwickshire
Tickets here.