This past weekend, the 12th annual Michigan Grand Tournament (Michigan GT) rolled into Lansing and delivered exactly what the tabletop scene dreams about: competition, camaraderie, chaos, and craft. For veteran gamers, hobbyists, and the folks who live for late-night dice-rolls, this year’s edition felt like a statement, and this is one of the key regional expos to watch in the Midwest.

A Gathering of Systems, Styles & Spirits

Michigan GT ran October 3–5 at the Lansing Center. Attendance was free to the public (with paid entry for many events) so both casual fans and serious players could walk in, look around, and get hooked.

Tables were full of miniature armies, RPG pods, card game drafts, open board game lounges, and vendor booths. The organizer promised events for systems from Games Workshop, Mantic, Atomic Mass, Warlord, and more. This year also leaned heavily into collectible card games with MTG, Flesh & Blood, and Star Wars Unlimited among them, marking a slight shift in flavor from past years.

The “Troll Market” vendor hall was buzzing. Over 30 gaming and geek goods vendors and artists filled Hall B, offering everything from miniatures, terrain pieces, custom dice, indie board games, and art prints.

Highlights & Standouts

• Open play and demonstrations: The open play area (with games from the Hoplite Games library) gave less experienced attendees a chance to jump into games without registering.
• Schedule variety: From Warhammer 40K and Age of Sigmar tournaments to RPG campaigns (Stormcrest Chronicles, Chivalrous Arts), it was clear GT aims to be more than a miniature show.
• Vendor and swap meets: The swap meet on Friday night allowed attendees to trade or pick up rare items. Tables were free (first-come).
• Charity and community tie-ins: Warlord Games ran a Toys For Tots drive. There was also a charity raffle to benefit Table War Charities and League of Enchantment.
• Draft and TCG action: Magic the Gathering drafts ran all weekend with multiple formats (Kaldheim, Phyrexia, Ixalan, etc.).

What This Year Showed Us

Michigan GT has matured. From its origins as a regional meetup into something with real clout, 2025 struck a balance: it welcomed newcomers (free general admission, open tables) while still delivering intense, high-stakes competitive events.

It’s clear the organizers are pushing to make GT a destination event. The inclusion of more collectible card game (CCG) tournaments signals a desire to broaden the audience. The strong vendor presence and open play areas make it a place folks can spend all day — even if they’re not registered for a tournament.

Another positive: the vibe. I walked through tournaments mid-air, heard laughter and gentle trash talk, saw gamers teach new players rules, and watched diehard hobbyists trading miniatures. That kind of energy doesn’t just happen — it’s built.

As a gamer, I left Michigan GT 2025 feeling energized. GT is growing, and if next year ups the ante, it could easily become a must-attend expo in the Midwest.