Calling all millennials! The most important event of our generation is coming to York. If you remember tearing around Rainbow Road and getting blue-shelled by your mates, this one’s for you. Not only will you get to enjoy a nostalgic hit of Mario Kart, but the music will also be performed by a live band.
That’s right! The Mario Kart Tournament heading to York will feature a live band playing all the music and sound effects. The gameplay audio will be paused while an actual band performs the iconic soundtrack live, creating the ultimate nostalgic gaming experience.
Taking place at The Basement at City Screen York on Friday 31 July 2026, the event is expected to sell out. If you fancy yourself a bit of a Mario Kart expert, you’ll need to enter quickly before the racer spots fill up. Whether you’re watching or competing, it promises to be a night of chaos and nostalgia, with a wild mix of music styles — from funk and jazz to dance and metal — as well as costumes, props and plenty more fun.
Tickets are already on sale and selling fast, so make sure you don’t miss out. Racer tickets are £15, while spectator tickets are £10. The prize for the winner is being kept under wraps for now. The event is organised by Ryan Willis, who also runs the annual sell-out York Board Game Convention, YorkMix reports.
Ryan Willis said: “I’m so excited that we’ve put together this evening of music, gaming, nostalgia and fun. Half the tickets are already gone four months before we even open the doors, and we’ve heard that people are planning to dress up as their favourite characters from the Nintendo world. The band are just brilliant as well, so it’s going to be a night to remember.
“It’s such a joy to bring the community together for something like this, and I’m excited to do more events like this in York in the future. A couple of people have asked if it’s going to be highly competitive, and the answer is — absolutely not. This is going to be light-hearted silliness with a live band and some great nostalgic gaming thrown in.”
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Feature Image Credit: Nintendo
