'Leeds is so special': Why Hasbro chose Leeds for its biggest Trivial Pursuit experience yet

From hidden historical gems to fascinating facts that even lifelong Loiners might not know, Leeds is taking centre stage as Hasbro brings Trivial Pursuit out of the box and onto the streets.

Marking the city's 400th anniversary since the Royal Charter was signed, the new Trivial Pursuit trail invites families and visitors alike to explore Leeds through curiosity and discovery.

The interactive boardgame trail is designed to uncover the people, places and moments that have shaped Leeds.

Hannah Sweeney, senior manager location based entertainment at Hasbro, told the Yorkshire Evening Post the trail will celebrate Leeds’ incredible history, culture and community.

She said: “Leeds has an incredible history, culture and community spirit, and its 400th anniversary gave us a fantastic opportunity to bring those stories to life through the lens of Trivial Pursuit.

“The end result is an experience that feels authentic to Leeds while still capturing everything people love about the game.

“We hope the trail encourages people to explore the city, discover something new and celebrate its rich history.”

LeedsBID has partnered with Hasbro for the interactive trail once again following the success of Monopoly Leeds Takeover in 2024.

Briggate will be adorned with celebratory flags for the free, family friendly interactive game across the city centre.

There will be a series of key locations representing the six traditional Trivial Pursuit categories: Entertainment, Geography, Sports & Leisure, Science & Nature, History, and Art & Literature, with a mix of classic and junior questions.

Ms Sweeney said: “The Monopoly takeover showed us how much people enjoy exploring their city through play. We saw people rediscover familiar places, visit new locations and spend time together in a way that felt fun and engaging.

“That experience reinforced our belief that games can be a powerful way of connecting people with places and local stories.

“With Trivial Pursuit, we've built on that insight by placing an even greater emphasis on discovery and curiosity, creating an experience that encourages participants to uncover what makes Leeds so special.

“It's a different brand, but the same core principle of bringing people together through shared experiences remains at the heart of it.”

And organisers say there have been a host of Leeds facts that they never even knew about the city - including the city’s connection to the world’s earliest moving images and home of the first traffic light.

Ms Sweeney said: “One of the things we discovered very quickly is that Leeds is full of fascinating stories, so choosing a single favourite is difficult!

“One that stood out to me was learning about Louis Le Prince and his connection to some of the world's earliest moving images. I don’t think many people realise that one of cinema's pioneers was developing this technology in Leeds, which feels like an incredible part of the city's history.

“Another fun discovery was about Washington Teasdale, a Leeds photographer who is credited with taking one of the earliest selfies. It felt like every time we dug a little deeper, we found another surprising fact or achievement linked to the city.

“That's what makes Leeds such a perfect fit for Trivial Pursuit. The city has a remarkable history of innovation, creativity and achievement, and we hope the experience encourages people to discover some of the many stories that make Leeds so unique.”

Ms Sweeney also said it’s an ideal opportunity for families and friends to connect through shared experiences away from the screen.

She added: “At Hasbro, we're always looking for ways to bring our brands beyond the tabletop and into real life.

“People are increasingly looking for shared experiences – opportunities to connect with friends, family and their wider communities. Experiences like this allow us to take the values that sit at the heart of our brands and express them in new ways.

“For Trivial Pursuit, that means transforming curiosity and discovery into something people can experience together in the real world. It's a natural extension of the game and a great way of bringing communities together.”