National UNO Day is observed annually on January 1. Set on New Year’s Day, it fits naturally into a time when families and friends are already together and looking for fun, shared activities.
UNO was created in 1971 by Merle Robbins, an Ohio barber who developed the game after a family disagreement over the rules of Crazy Eights. Robbins and his wife financed the first print run of about 5,000 decks, selling them directly from his barbershop and through local retailers.
In 1981, the rights to UNO were sold to Mattel, which introduced mass production, international distribution, and standardized packaging, helping the game become widely recognized and commonly found in homes around the world.
A brief history of UNO:
- 1971 – Merle Robbins invents UNO in Reading, Ohio, after repeated family arguments over the rules of Crazy Eights.
- 1981 – The game is purchased by International Games, moving UNO from local sales into large-scale commercial distribution.
- 1992 – Mattel acquires UNO, expanding its international reach and establishing it as a globally distributed card game.
- 2000 – UNO is inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame, recognizing its long-term cultural impact.
- 2010 – Digital versions of UNO are released, making the game available on computers, consoles, and mobile devices.
- 2018 – Colorblind-friendly cards are introduced, adding symbols to colors to improve accessibility.
- 2020 – UNO marks its 50th anniversary with special edition decks and organized events worldwide.
When Is National Uno Day?
National UNO Day is observed each year on January 1. The date aligns with New Year’s Day, when many people are already gathered at home, making it a natural fit for playing card games.
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | January 1, Thursday |
| 2027 | January 1, Friday |
| 2028 | January 1, Saturday |
| 2029 | January 1, Monday |
| 2030 | January 1, Tuesday |
Curious UNO Facts
Ready for some Uno trivia? Here are a few fun facts that might surprise you!
- The name “UNO” means “one” in Spanish, reflecting the rule that players must call out “UNO” when they have one card left.
- A standard UNO deck contains 108 cards, including number cards, action cards such as Skip and Reverse, and Wild cards, while keeping gameplay straightforward.
- In 2011, more than 2,000 players took part in a single UNO game in Beijing, which remains the largest recorded UNO match.
- UNO has been translated into more than 30 languages and is played widely in countries such as the United States, Mexico, Brazil, India, and Japan.
How to Celebrate National Uno Day
National UNO Day is easy to celebrate, as the game itself requires little setup and works well for groups of all ages.
- Try a new UNO variation: Explore versions such as UNO Flip, UNO Attack, UNO Dare, or digital editions to change the pace and introduce new mechanics while keeping the core gameplay familiar.
- Learn the history of the game: Take a few minutes to watch a short video or read about how UNO started and how it grew from a family idea into a game played around the world.
- Host a Family Game Night: Invite family or friends to play together, using the official rules or the house rules your group already enjoys.
