Azul Board Game (Spiel des Jahres 2018)
A tile-drafting game for two to four players, ages 8 and up, that plays in 30 to 45 minutes. Easy to teach, with real decisions every turn.
Quick verdict
- Best for:
- Families and couples, 2–4 players.
- Watch out:
- Little theme; max four players.
Amazon US listing and availability checked October 27, 2026. Prices and stock can change.
Reviewed October 17, 2026 · How we review
Our Take
Azul is one of the easiest modern board games to teach to people who only know the classics. Each round, players take colored tiles from shared displays and arrange them on their own board to complete rows of a mosaic; tiles you can't place cost you points. The rules fit on one page, but every turn involves a choice, including taking tiles a rival needs. Next Move Games lists two to four players, ages 8 and up and 30 to 45 minutes, with 100 resin tiles, 4 player boards, 9 factory displays, scoring markers and a linen bag. It won the Spiel des Jahres in 2018, Germany's best-known game award. It plays well with two, which not every family game does. There's no story or theme to speak of, and some players find the scoring at the end of each round slow to count. We haven't tested it ourselves.
Specs (This Configuration)
- Players
- 2–4 (Next Move Games)
- Ages
- 8+ (Next Move Games)
- Play time
- 30–45 minutes (Next Move Games)
- Contents
- 100 resin tiles, 4 boards, 9 factory displays, linen bag (Next Move Games)
- Awards
- Spiel des Jahres 2018 (Next Move Games)
Best For
- Families and couples
- Introducing friends to modern board games
- Two-player game nights
Skip If
- You want a game with a story or theme
- You play with young children under 8
- You want a party game for more than four
What We Like
- Quick to teach, with real decisions
- Works well with two players
- Heavy, satisfying resin tiles
What To Know
- Four players maximum
- Scoring between rounds takes some counting
- Spin-offs like Summer Pavilion and Azul Mini are different games or sizes; check the title
Pros
- Sold by Amazon.com on the listing we checked
- 4.8 stars from over 16,000 ratings
- Short games, about 30 to 45 minutes
Cons
- Little theme
- Small tiles aren't for young children
- Not for more than four players
Alternatives
- Azul Mini — A smaller travel version of the same game.View on Amazon
- Ticket to Ride — Another easy-to-teach family game, about building train routes, for up to five players.
- CATAN (6th Edition) — A trading game with more player interaction, for three or four players.
Why PriceDropIQ Selected It
If you want a game that a family or a couple can learn in ten minutes and still enjoy after many plays, Azul is a strong pick. It plays well with two, and every turn has a real choice. It has almost no theme, so if you want a story, Ticket to Ride or Catan may suit you better.
Before You Buy
- Check the title: Azul, not Azul Mini, Duel or Summer Pavilion
- Check that the seller is Amazon.com
- Check the age: 8 and up; small tiles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Azul good for two players?
Yes. Next Move Games lists two to four players, and two-player games are quick and tense because you can see exactly which tiles your opponent needs.
How long does a game take?
Next Move Games lists 30 to 45 minutes.
What's in the box?
Next Move Games lists 100 resin tiles, 4 player boards, 9 factory displays, 4 scoring markers, a starting player marker, a linen bag and the rulebook.
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Reviewed October 17, 2026. Check the current offer, seller, availability, and shipping details on Amazon.
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Product photo by Honza F. (CC0 1.0). Full image credit