Norfolk's Largest Game Store & Event Venue
Athena Games is an independent, family-run gaming store and event venue in the heart of Norwich – and the largest of its kind in Norfolk. Whether you're picking up your first board game or deep in the hobby for decades, you'll find your people here.
Our Story
We started with a simple belief: great games bring people together. From our home in the historic Lanes of Norwich's fine city centre, we've grown from a passionate independent retailer into a full community hub – stocking thousands of products, hosting hundreds of events each year, and welcoming players of every level through our doors.
The name? Athena – Ancient Greek goddess of wisdom and strategy – felt right from the start. Like her, we're always looking to grow, adapt, and serve our community with expertise and care.
The Venue
Our Norwich store is more than a shop. We're proud to host one of the largest dedicated gaming spaces in the East of England – a place where you can book a table, run a campaign, battle a friend, or join a scheduled event. From Magic: The Gathering tournaments to painting workshops and launch-day events, there's always something on.
Whether you're a regular or visiting for the first time, the table is yours.
What We Stock
Our range spans the full breadth of tabletop gaming and hobby:
- Board Games – family favourites to heavy strategy titles
- Trading Card Games – Magic: The Gathering, Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and more
- Miniatures & Wargames – Warhammer 40,000, Age of Sigmar, Middle-earth, and beyond
- Hobby Supplies – paints, brushes, tools, and terrain
- RPGs & Accessories – rulebooks, dice, sleeves, and everything in between
Our staff don't just sell these games – they play them. Come in with a question and leave with a recommendation you'll actually use.
Community First
Community isn't a marketing word for us – it's the reason we exist. We run regular events, support local gaming groups, and work hard to make the hobby welcoming for everyone. New to the hobby? We'll help you find your game. Veteran player? You'll find your match here too.
For the latest news, blog posts, and special offers, stay connected:
Meet the Team
Behind every great game store is a team of people who genuinely love what they do. Here's ours.
Mitchell – Store Manager
Hi, I'm Mitchell – manager here at Athena Games. My one game to rule them all is the Middle-earth Strategy Battle Game, though I've recently been drawn into Marvel Crisis Protocol and A Song of Ice and Fire. In my downtime you'll find me playing board games – Spirit Island is a current favourite – and dabbling in Digimon. If you want to learn Middle-earth or find a board game group, I'm your man.
Alex – TCG Specialist
Hey, I'm Alex – your go-to for all things Trading Card Games. I've played most of what we stock, but right now I'm heavily invested in Magic: The Gathering. Always happy to chat about a game or run a demo – just ask.
Chloe – Miniatures & Hobby
Hi, I'm Chloe. Like a magpie drawn to shiny things, I'm drawn to little plastic soldiers. The Middle-earth Strategy Battle Game takes up the majority of my hobby budget, and I love painting them up. I've recently gotten into Kill Team and Necromunda, and I have strong opinions about Citadel Paints. (Yes, I have favourites. Yes, I'll tell you about them.)
Pádraig (Pod) – Magic & Miniatures
Hi, I'm Pádraig – everyone calls me Pod. My favourite game is Magic: The Gathering (Commander/EDH specifically), though I also play Moonstone, Blood Bowl, and Bolt Action. Fair warning: I will always be up for a historically inaccurate cavalry charge. When I'm not at the table, I'm forgetting to paint my minis and buying new ones before finishing the last batch. Relatable, I hope.
Welcome to Athena Games. Whatever your game – we've got you covered.