Albuquerque residents gained a new souvenir this week when Mayor Tim Keller and a costumed Monopoly Man unveiled an official Albuquerque‑themed Monopoly board. The launch took place at the Sandia Peak Tramway, a location that appears on the board’s Park Place square, according to KRQE and KOB 4 coverage of the event.
The custom board, produced by Top Trumps USA under license from Hasbro, replaces the classic Atlantic City properties with dozens of local landmarks and businesses. Featured spots include historic Route 66, the International Balloon Fiesta, Old Town, the University of New Mexico’s Pit, Nob Hill, Petroglyph National Monument, the Rail Trail, La Luz Trail, KiMo Theatre, Ex Novo Brewing, Duran Central Pharmacy, the Albuquerque Museum, Napoli Coffee, New Mexico Film Tours, and Visit Albuquerque, as listed by KOAT.
Mayor Keller highlighted the board’s community focus, noting that “including Thanksgiving, because you know you might be running late in the kitchen… you need a board game to play after. Now you can play Monopoly Albuquerque.” He added that the game celebrates both current residents and former community members, calling it “a treasure that will be in other homes as they remember where they came from.”
Top Trumps USA said the design process took roughly one year and incorporated public input gathered from January through April 1, when residents submitted nominations for locations, businesses, and non‑profit organizations. The company confirmed that non‑profits Locker 505 and Paws and Stripes earned spots on the board as a result of those requests.
In addition to the landmarks, the board’s Chance and Community Chest cards carry Albuquerque‑specific themes drawn from community voices, per the Top Trumps USA product page cited by Hoodline. The game is rated for players ages eight and up and is marketed as a celebration of the city’s cultural heritage.
Local retailers will stock the edition, including Frontier Restaurant, which appears on the board and serves as one of the primary sales locations. KOAT reported that the game is also available at Poulin Market, the gift shop of the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History, and several puzzle and game stores across the city. KOB 4 added that Look Bookstores is another point of purchase.
The release coincides with the upcoming centennial celebration of Route 66, underscoring Albuquerque’s historic role in American travel and commerce. Residents can expect the board to become a popular holiday gift and a way for families to explore the city’s identity through play.
What’s next: The Monopoly edition will remain on shelves through the holiday season, and Top Trumps USA plans to host community game nights at participating businesses later this month. Interested buyers can check local store inventories or visit the Top Trumps USA website for a full list of retail locations.
Sources: koat.com, hoodline.com, hyperlocalloop.com
