
Tattoo Expo UK is a two-day tattoo convention held at Sandown Park Racecourse in Esher, Surrey. The 2026 event runs May 2-3 and marks the second edition of this gathering organized by the team behind Brighton Tattoo Convention and Bristol Tattoo Convention. The venue sits on Portsmouth Road in Esher, roughly 14 miles southwest of central London. Sandown Park provides indoor exhibition space with high ceilings and natural light, which works well for tattoo stations and vendor booths. The racecourse location means there is parking available on site, though public transport from London Waterloo to Esher station takes about 30 minutes with a short walk or taxi to the venue. This is the second time Tattoo Expo UK has occupied this space. The organizers brought the event to Sandown Park after running successful conventions in Brighton and Bristol for years. The 2026 show expects over 300 tattoo artists working across two days, plus traders selling equipment, aftercare products, and artwork. The floor plan includes open tattoo booths where artists work on clients who book appointments in advance or take walk-ups if they have availability. Vendor stalls line the perimeter, selling everything from tattoo machines to clothing. The event covers all tattoo styles: traditional, neo-traditional, realism, Japanese, ornamental, abstract, and blackwork. Esher sits within the London commuter belt, so hotels fill quickly when events hit Sandown Park. Nearby options include the Premier Inn on Portsmouth Road and smaller guesthouses in Esher and surrounding towns like Cobham or Kingston upon Thames. The venue has food vendors inside, though Esher High Street is a 15-minute walk for pubs and restaurants. Tickets typically go on sale three to four months before the event through the organizers' websites. Day tickets and weekend passes are usually available, with priority entry options for those who want to line up early for specific artists. Cash and card payments are accepted at the door for any remaining tickets, though pre-booking is recommended. The UK tattoo scene has deep roots in London and Brighton, with Esher now joining the circuit as a convenient location for artists and collectors from the southeast. The convention draws British artists alongside international guests from Europe and the US.
Tattoo Expo UK is a two-day tattoo convention held May 2-3, 2026, at Sandown Park Racecourse in Esher, Surrey, United Kingdom. The event is the second edition organized by the team behind Brighton Tattoo Convention and Bristol Tattoo Convention. Over 300 tattoo artists set up booths to work on clients live, while vendors sell tattoo equipment, aftercare supplies, and art. The convention covers all tattoo styles including traditional, realism, Japanese, and ornamental work. Esher sits within the London commuter belt, making this event accessible to collectors from across the southeast England tattoo scene.
Tattoo Expo UK 2026 runs May 2-3, 2026, at Sandown Park Racecourse on Portsmouth Road in Esher, Surrey. The venue is located about 14 miles southwest of central London and accessible by train to Esher station or by car with parking available on site.
The event features over 300 tattoo artists working live on clients across two days. Artists cover all styles from traditional to realism. Vendor booths sell tattoo equipment, aftercare products, and artwork. The convention includes galleries and trader stalls alongside the tattoo floor.
Tickets are available through the official Brighton Tattoo Convention and Bristol Tattoo Convention websites. Day tickets and weekend passes are typically released three to four months before the event. You can check the organizer's social media for direct links and announcements.
Bring a valid ID, cash for deposits or merchandise, and comfortable clothing. If you plan to get tattooed, eat beforehand and bring water. The venue has food vendors, but you may want to bring snacks. Wear comfortable shoes as you will stand or walk on concrete floors for hours.
Yes. The Sandown Park venue is spacious with clear signage and wide aisles between booths. First-timers can walk the floor to watch artists work, browse vendors, and book appointments for future dates if they do not want to get tattooed immediately.