Book your slot for a weekday evening — the Excel Waterfront is quieter then, and you’ll have more room to flail during Red Light, Green Light. Wear flat, comfortable shoes; the floors are hard, and the excitement is very real. Don’t wear a full face of makeup — the sweat and adrenaline are part of the experience.
Squid Game London: Last Days Tickets! – Closing 4th January
Arrive 20 minutes early to explore the Waterfront’s sleek bars and eateries. The neighbourhood, Royal Victoria Dock, is a quiet pocket of East London that feels oddly serene after the chaos of the games. Grab a cocktail at the nearby rooftop bar, Clipper Rooftop, for skyline views that will calm your racing heart.
Here’s a pro tip: for the Dalgona challenge, choose a simple shape like a circle or triangle if you’re nervous. The hexagonal umbrella is a trap — you’ll break it faster than a bad relationship. And remember: the staff are actors, so don’t be shy to play along. A little theatrics makes the experience unforgettable.
The Cultural Resonance
Squid Game became a global phenomenon because it weaponised childhood games against the backdrop of capitalist despair. The experience at the Excel London plays with that same tension, but with a lighter touch. You’re not competing for survival; you’re competing for the bragging rights of a perfectly carved candy. It’s genius — it lets you feel the pressure without the permanent consequences.
The Excel itself is a fitting venue: a massive, glassy cavern of trade shows and conventions. It’s a little sterile, but that contrasts perfectly with the raw, human panic of the games. For a few hours, the grey London sky outside fades, and you’re inside a K-drama fever dream.
SQUID GAME: THE EXPERIENCE | Events & Attractions | Excel London
Fast fact: The red jumpsuits worn by the guards are actually hundreds of screen-worn originals, shipped directly from the show’s Korean production. You can touch them (politely).
The experience runs until early 2026, and tickets start around £39. It’s a solid value for a 90-minute adventure that includes multiple games, photo ops, and a souvenir. Group bookings are cheaper, so gather your most competitive friends — or the ones you’re slightly suspicious of.
Final Reflection
Walking out of that cavernous hall, past the neon guards and into the chilly London evening, you’ll feel oddly light. There’s something about facing fake, life-or-death stakes that makes real life feel less heavy. The commute home, the emails, the small annoyances — they all shrink when you’ve just sprinted across a digital glass bridge.
In a city that often feels like a game of Survival of the Richest, this experience is a cheeky reminder: play is still a human right. Even if you lose the candy challenge, you’ve won a few hours of pure, unapologetic fun. And honestly, that’s better than any briefcase of cash.
So go. Get your green track suit. Fail at Mugunghwa Kkoci Pieot Seumnida. And when you stumble out, grinning like a fool, remember: in the real game of life, you’re already winning just by showing up.
