Press release -
World of Tanks brings King Tiger roaring into TANKFEST 2025
Bovington, Dorset: 19 June 2025 – After a year of anticipation and international coordination between World of Tanks, The Tank Museum, and The Musée des Blindés in Saumur, France, the world’s only running King Tiger has arrived on the shores of the United Kingdom for the first time ever ahead of TANKFEST 2025 – the world’s biggest and best showcase of historic vehicles.
The Musée des Blindés has lovingly restored the King Tiger to full running condition in an impressive feat of engineering. The Tank Museum, meanwhile, has worked tirelessly to bring the King Tiger to British soil, ensuring the 70-ton vehicle’s safe and secure transport across borders and water, in partnership with World of Tanks. As the principal sponsor of TANKFEST, World of Tanks facilitated and funded the transit between the two museums across La Manche/English Channel.
History of the King Tiger
When the Allies landed on the beaches of Normandy in 1944, they faced increasingly advanced German armour. The Tiger II — better known as the King Tiger — combined the thick armor of the Tiger I with the powerful 88mm KwK 43 L/71 gun, capable of punching through Allied armor at extreme range. Weighing nearly 70 tons, it wasn’t merely a tank: It was a rolling fortress.
Despite being produced in relatively small numbers—only about 490 units—the King Tiger made a brutal impression on the battlefield. It first saw combat during the Battle of Normandy and later played a central role in the Battle of the Bulge.
But this impressive piece of machinery had its weaknesses. Its massive weight made it prone to breakdowns, and fuel shortages plagued its operational use. Often, King Tigers were abandoned or destroyed by their own crews to avoid capture. Nonetheless, when deployed effectively—especially in ambush or defensive roles—it could halt entire armoured formations.
After the Second World War, surviving King Tigers were captured by Allied forces, although just a handful survive today across museums and private collections, and only one in the world which is in running condition.
How to see the King Tiger
Thousands of spectators will be among the first to see a King Tiger in action at TANKFEST, in partnership with World of Tanks.
Nik Wyness, The Tank Museum’s Head of Marketing, said: “We know our visitors will be really excited to see this rare World War Two tank up close at TANKFEST.
“We try to ensure there is always something at TANKFEST that most people will not have seen before. So, our thanks go to our French colleagues – and event partners World of Tanks – for making it possible.”
“World of Tanks is delighted to help facilitate this historic project on behalf of our museum partners,” said Richard Cutland, Head of Military Relations at Wargaming.
“For visitors to be able to see this monumental feat of engineering up close in the UK for the first time is sure to be an unforgettable experience for tank enthusiasts and World of Tanks players alike.”
TAN KFEST 2025 is sold out, but you can still see the King Tiger in action at TANKFEST by viewing the livestream on The Tank Museum’s YouTube channel from 1 pm on Sunday 29 June.
Get exclusive World of Tanks Merchandise
In celebration of TANKFEST 2025, Wargaming has launched an exclusive TANKFEST collection that will excite tank enthusiasts around the world. It’ll be available at event itself, or you can get it online at World of Tanks Store.
The TANKFEST collection features a range of must-have items for any fan of heavy machinery and the King Tiger. From stylish apparel to unique accessories, here’s what you can look forward to: T-shirts, hoodies, mousepads, tumblers, mugs, and tote bags. Don't miss out on this exciting collection and gear up with these exclusive items.
For more details visit https://worldoftanksstore.eu/
Related links
About World of Tanks
World of Tanks is the first team-based, massively multiplayer online action game dedicated to tank warfare. Throw yourself into the epic tank battles of World War II with gamers all over the world. Your arsenal includes over 800 armored vehicles from 11 nations, carefully detailed with historical accuracy.
Official website: worldoftanks.com
About Wargaming
Wargaming is an award-winning online game developer and publisher headquartered in Nicosia, Cyprus. Operating since 1998, Wargaming has grown to become one of the leaders in the gaming industry with 15 offices around the world, including studios in Guildford, Prague, Chicago, Austin, Shanghai, Tokyo, Vilnius, Kyiv, and Belgrade. Millions of players enjoy Wargaming's titles across all major gaming platforms. Our flagship products include hit free-to-play franchises - World of Tanks and World of Warships.
Official website: https://wargaming.com/en/
About The Tank Museum
The Tank Museum at Bovington in Dorset brings the story of tanks and tank crews to life.
With over 300 tanks from 26 nations, The Tank Museum holds the finest and most historically significant collection of fighting armour in the world. These range from the world’s first ever tank, Little Willie, through to the British Army’s current Main Battle Tank, Challenger 2.
The Museum’s powerful exhibitions tell the story of armoured warfare spanning over 100 years of history, where visitors come face to face with tanks and hear incredible true stories from the last century.
The Tank Museum is an independent Museum and registered Charity.
tankmuseum.org
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About Le Musée des Blindes
The Musée des Blindés in Saumur, France, houses one of the world’s largest collections of armor with over 800 tanks and military vehicles, including 220 on display. Covering conflicts from World War I to present day, it offers a unique journey through military history. Visitors can explore rare and legendary tanks, making it a must-visit for history and tank enthusiasts worldwide.
