Sim Global Expo bills itself as the UK’s first dedicated exhibition for sim racing and flight simulation, and it’s at the NEC in Birmingham in January. For home cockpit builders and virtual pilots, the draw is the chance to try flight-sim hardware and software before you buy, see product launches and demos, and browse the show’s shopping village. A big part of the show is about racing rather than flying, so go in knowing that, but if you’ve been weighing up a yoke, rudder pedals or a full sim rig, it’s a handy place to compare kit side by side. The organisers say it’s family friendly and open to all ages.

Dates: Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 January 2027.

Official website: https://www.simglobalexpo.com/

Where to stay

The NEC sits next to Birmingham Airport and Birmingham International station, with lots of hotels nearby. Compare them here: