‘Big John’ Fisher’s BOSH Bingo might have started out as a fun concept, or even a joke when it was first announced, but it’s quickly become one of those events that can’t be ignored. In fact, the Manchester show in 2026 was a huge success.
Big John has a larger-than-life personality and tongue-in-cheek humour that resonates perfectly with Northerners. Hundreds of people attended, and when the show started, at times, it was closer to a dance party than your average bingo night. The bingo calls were broken up with shouting, crowd participation, and music, with all of the fun that you’d expect from such a big event.
The Bingo Boom is Evident
Bingo itself is in the middle of a resurgence right now, with modern tech being used to take it to new heights. Figures show that traditional bingo games have hit a GGY rate of £234.1 million, with bingo machines hitting £394.0 million.
At the same time, many bingo halls are handing out tablets instead of paper bingo cards, with cameras and screens used to try to facilitate bigger events. We are also seeing a rise in internet bingo in the UK, with themed rooms becoming the norm. Some examples include Cash Cubes, Speedy Bingo, and Disco Diva bingo, all of which offer different playing experiences.
With different rules and rounds, people now have more choices than ever, which not only makes the experience more inclusive but also makes it more accessible. Many bingo rooms offer giveaways that take place either during or after events as well, something that ‘Big John’ Fisher has embraced. The giveaways held during the event not only broke up the evening, but also helped to engage people more.
Not only was the experience of bingo embraced, but it was made bigger with the inclusion of chanting, fancy dress, and passive entertainment. For Mancunians, it really did hit the mark, and by the end of the night, it was clear that BOSH Bingo isn’t just a gimmick travelling show, it’s a format that could come back again and again.
Could We See Bosh Bingo Return to Manchester?
With the success of Bosh Bingo, it wouldn’t be surprising to see it return to Manchester once again. Some of the other stops that the tour did include Newcastle Upon Tyne, as well as Bristol, Sheffield, Brighton, and London. Interestingly, the event also attracted many people who don’t play bingo at all, due to the new format. It’s going to be interesting to see if the people who did attend the event will go on to support Manchester’s local bingo scene, which would be fantastic for the local economy. Either way, the number of people the event drew from outside of Manchester helped to put the city on the map as an entertainment hub while also contributing to Manchester’s thriving entertainment sector.
Whether ‘Big John’ Fisher’s BOSH Bingo is going to return is yet to be seen, but the impact felt will resonate for quite some time, amongst Mancunians and those out of the local area.