Director Program Management & Business Administration Teena Whittenhall
WEB DEVELOPMENT
Rennie Araucto, Sam Asif, Matt Elhotiby, Peter Fasula, Aurora Hampton, Tom Hunter, Scott Norris, Jonathon Roscoe, David Tveraas
GEN CON BOARD
Owner and Chairperson of the Board
Brian Lewis
Owners
Peter Adkison, Marianne Brand, Jon Peterson Melissa Reis, Adrian Swartout, Corey Thompson
Special Thanks to Our Friends & Partners
Fern Exposition, Reaction AV, John Sutton, Stacia Kirby, Alesia Clardy, Tiana McDaniel, Owen Seyler and the Q-Rooms Team, Krista Baker and the Stafforward Team, Jason Lavengood, Rob Banayote, Jordan Augustine, Tinnel Lovitt, Callie Gibson, Jo Rivers, Joe Van Wetering, Elisa Melendez, Chris Hecox, Rudy Nehrling, Mandi Hutchinson, Aaron Trammell, all Gen Con Captains and Event Team, the Staff of the Indianapolis Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium, Visit Indy, and Downtown Indy.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who makes Gen Con possible, including game manufacturers, gaming clubs, event organizers, and, of course, the attendees! 2026 Cover Art by Bryce Kho.
Welcome to Gen Con 2026!
Dear Friends and Fellow Gamers,
When you walk through the doors of the Indiana Convention Center this week, you join tens of thousands of people — attendees, gamemasters, exhibitors, owners, and staff — gathered in celebration of a shared love of gaming. Above all else, Gen Con is about people coming together, and it wouldn’t exist without you. You are Gen Con. Thank you for being here!
If it’s not your first time joining us, you know that no year at Gen Con is exactly the same as the last. We grow and change as gamers and as a convention, but one thing never changes: we are a community that shares a passion for tabletop gaming, and we show up, year after year, with creativity, passion, and an open hand extended to the person sitting across the table.
We are extremely proud of what WE have built together, not by accident but with intention. This community is, overwhelmingly, one of the most inclusive and welcoming places any of us has ever known. This inclusivity is a choice we make every time we teach a stranger a new game, invite a newcomer to the table, or make space for another player to join in.
As a community, we are navigating a remarkable and complicated moment. Yet at the same time, the tabletop gaming industry is thriving in ways it never has before. While it is also true that new technologies press against the edges of our creativity and craft, we carry the strong threads of our past into an uncertain future, and we braid them into something better. That is what this community has always done.
We’re so happy you’re here in Indy with us to experience all the things that make Gen Con special — the energy, the spectacle, the costumes, tables, and dice, and most importantly, the people.
Be good to one another and game on!
Kindly,
Brian Lewis Chairperson of the Board
David Hoppe President
LeMar Mattox
In Memoriam
This year the Gen Con team mourns the loss of our dear friend and colleague LeMar Mattox, who passed away this July. LeMar made essential contributions to Gen Con in multiple roles over 18 years, most recently as our Senior Manager of Sales and Exhibits. If you met LeMar on the show floor, you instantly knew you’d encountered someone special. A man of amazing charisma, incredible grace, impeccable style, and extraordinary character, LeMar leaves behind a legacy of commitment to community, family, and friendship, and to finding joy in the good things in life.
LeMar brought the true spirit of Gen Con to his work every day, and to the convention every year. He was the best of us, and Gen Con 2026 is dedicated to his memory.
2026 Cover Artist Bryce Kho
Get to know Bryce Kho, the extraordinary artist behind this year’s cover.
What inspired your approach to the cover art for the 2026 Gen Con program book?
Gen Con itself! I’m also a huge board game fan, so I tried to capture how I feel at Gen Con. My main idea for the piece was to flip the script of what happens at Gen Con by having a group of Dungeons & Dragonsinspired travelers playing a Gen Con-themed game together. And for a few of the easter eggs, I truly just referenced the games sitting on display in my office!
What has been the biggest influence on your art, style, aesthetic, or creative process?
The thing that’s driven the most success, careerwise, has been channeling the art that inspired me considerably as a child: artists like Kinu Nishimura, Bengus, and Yusuke Murata.
Recently, I’ve been really into watching Chinese calligraphy and traditional brushwork. I usually draw my linework traditionally with a pen, but I want to figure out how to incorporate more of the textures from large areas of ink and watercolor into my work.
What’s it like to be an exhibiting artist at Gen Con?
It’s always a joy, to be honest. Board game people are among the sweetest, friendliest, and most patient folks I interact with. Not to mention strategic with their purchases, LOL.
What can attendees look forward to seeing at your booth at Gen Con this year?
I’ll have a special foil version of the program book artwork. Stop by my booth to say hello, see this unique, limited-edition cover print, and get your copy to take home!
Important Info
Registration Policies
For on-site refunds or exchanges, please visit the Customer Service kiosks.
Badge Refunds/Exchanges
The last day to receive a badge refund was June 12, 2026. Badges are non-refundable and non-transferable after the deadline. However, badges can be exchanged at the Customer Service kiosk as per our exchange policies.
Event Ticket Refunds/Exchanges/Cancellations
Event-specific ticket refunds/exchanges must be requested at least 30 minutes prior to the start of the event. All refunds will be managed at the Customer Service kiosks and will be refunded to the purchaser. All ticket refunds are subject to a 5% administrative fee for the total sum of tickets refunded. A valid government-issued photo ID and a Gen Con 2026 badge are required to process any type of ticket refund or exchange. All refunds will be credited back in the original form of payment. For ticket exchanges, please present the ticket for the event you would like to exchange and provide the Game ID number for the event you wish to purchase.
If an event has been canceled, please see a nearby Event HQ for further instructions. No refunds will be given for canceled events without a stamp or signature from the area’s Event HQ. The last day to receive a ticket refund is 4 pm on the Sunday of the convention.
Generic Ticket Refunds
Generic tickets are only refunded to system credit. There is no cash or credit card refund for generic tickets. System credit is non-refundable, non-transferable, does not expire, and can be used to purchase badges or tickets for any future Gen Con. All ticket refunds are subject to a 5% administrative fee for the total sum of tickets refunded. Ticket refunds will be managed at the Customer Service kiosks and will only be refunded to the purchaser. A valid governmentissued photo ID and a Gen Con 2026 badge are required to process any type of ticket refund on site. The last day to receive a generic ticket system credit refund is the Sunday of the convention, no later than 4 pm.
Lost or Misplaced Badges & Event Tickets
Gen Con cannot replace lost, stolen, or forgotten badges or event tickets. Lost, stolen, or forgotten items must be repurchased at full cost. It is recommended you check with the Gen Con Show Office in Room 112 of the convention center to see if your materials have been turned in to Lost & Found before buying new materials. Gen Con LLC assumes no responsibility for lost, stolen, or forgotten materials. To repurchase your items, go to the Customer Service kiosks in the Main Registration area.
If your shipment is confirmed to be lost by the USPS, Gen Con will replace your convention materials at no cost to you. Gen Con cannot replace items that have been delivered.
Gen Con Badges
Why Do I Need a Badge?
Everyone attending Gen Con (excluding children ages 10 and under) must wear a valid Gen Con badge at all times for identification while in the convention center and surrounding hotels and during gameplay/ events. A badge will allow you admittance into the Exhibit Hall, Art Show, Anime events, seminars, and other events happening in public areas during the convention. It is also needed to purchase tickets for events. Badges must be visible at all times to assure staff and security of your eligibility to participate in the show. (Gen Con does not offer parent badges, shopper badges, or other types of limited-access, discounted badges).
Children 10 & Under
Children ages 10 and under are admitted for free when accompanied by an attending adult and must be registered in the Gen Con children’s log for security purposes. They are not required to have a badge unless they will be participating in an event that requires an event ticket. Come to the Customer Service or Badge Registration kiosks to register your child and provide us with your contact information in case you and your child are separated. You will receive a wristband that must be attached to your child’s wrist while in the convention center and surrounding areas where you are participating in Gen Con events. All children must be accompanied at all times by a Parent or Guardian with a valid badge. Children ages 11 and above are subject to standard badge pricing.
Payment
Gen Con accepts cash or credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express) as payment. Checks and money orders are not accepted at any time. A 10% admissions tax will be charged on all badge purchases, in compliance with Marion County laws.
Electronic Ticketing
If your event uses e-tickets, there’s nothing to print, pick up, or keep track of. E-tickets are purchased through the Gen Con website or mobile app and automatically saved to your account. Simply arrive at your event, the host will scan your badge, and you’re in. No paper. No hassle. No extra steps.
How To Access Your E-Tickets
All you need is your badge! Event hosts will use a smartphone or handheld barcode reader to scan your badge and redeem your e-tickets.
E-Ticket Refunds Using the Mobile App or Website
E-tickets can be refunded through the Gen Con mobile app or website up to 30 minutes before the scheduled event start time. Refunds processed through the app or website are automatically issued as system credit.
E-Ticket Refunds to Original Form of Payment
To request an e-ticket refund to the original form of payment, you must contact Customer Service at least 30 minutes before the scheduled event start time, either by email or in person at a Customer Service kiosk. A refund to the original form of payment cannot be completed through the mobile app or website. If a refund has already been processed as system credit, it cannot be reversed or converted to the original form of payment. After the 30-minute deadline, e-tickets are not eligible for refunds.
Registration & Customer Service
What Is Registration?
Registration covers all processes associated with attending the convention, obtaining badge credentials, and purchasing event tickets. Registration offers three services: Customer Service (Including Event/Badge Registration), Accessibility Services, and Will Call. The Main Registration kiosks are located near the Maryland Street entrance in the convention center’s Wabash-East Concourse. There is also a remote Event Registration site in Hall C. Each service area is clearly marked for your convenience.
Event Registration
Event tickets can be purchased on site at the Customer Service kiosks located in the convention center’s Wabash-East Concourse near the Maryland Street entrance or at Event Registration kiosks in Hall C and the Stadium (credit card only). See the Area Hotel Maps for specific locations. Gen Con accepts cash and all major credit cards (American Express, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa). Gen Con does not accept checks or money orders.
Customer Service
Refund and exchange requests, badge and event ticket purchases, or questions regarding the convention or show policies can be directed to Customer Service. These kiosks are located in the convention center’s Wabash-East Concourse near the Maryland Street entrance. Refunds or exchanges will only be processed at the Customer Service kiosks. Event-specific ticket refunds/exchanges must be requested at least 30 minutes prior to the start of the event. All refunds will be issued back to the purchaser of the original ticket(s).
Accessibility Services
This kiosk is located next to the Customer Service kiosk. Attendees with accessibility-related needs may use this kiosk for their onestop registration needs. Will Call pickup, badge and event ticket purchases, and refunds or exchanges can all be made at this location. Customer Service will also have special stickers to alert staff and event team members that the bearer may need additional assistance (i.e., limited waiting in line, etc.). A sticker is required in order to receive special assistance.
Parents may also use this kiosk if they have already purchased a badge but need to obtain a child wristband.
Will Call
If you selected Will Call as your delivery method for your badge and/or event tickets, you may obtain your items at the Will Call kiosks, located in the convention center’s Wabash-East Concourse near the Maryland Street entrance. You will need to present a valid government-issued photo ID to obtain your packet. Small children with no photo ID must be accompanied by a parent or guardian with a valid ID in order to pick up their packet. Please keep in mind that Will Call lines and wait times may vary.
Items purchased online during the convention have a mandatory two hour wait time until they are available for pickup. Please go to a registration kiosk on site for faster service.
Child Registration
All children ages 10 and under must be registered at the Event/ Badge Registration or Customer Service kiosks. Registering your child provides the Security Team with contact information in case you and your child become separated. Be sure to register your child and pick up a child wristband when you arrive at the show if you have not already done so.
Important Info
At a Glance
Customer Service/Main Registration
Wednesday, noon - Thursday, 1 am
Thursday - Saturday, 7 am - 1 am
1 am - 7- am (at Will Call HQ)
Sunday, 7 am - 4 pm
Accessibility Services
Wednesday, noon – 6 pm
Thursday – Saturday, 8 am – 10 pm
Sunday, 8 am – 4 pm
Will Call
Wednesday – Thursday, noon – 2 am
Thursday – Saturday, 7 am – 11 pm
Sunday, 7 am – 3 pm
Event Registration, Hall C
Thursday – Saturday, 7:30 am – midnight
Sunday, 7:30 am – 3 pm
Event Registration, Stadium
Thursday – Saturday, 7 am – midnight
Sunday, 7 am – 3 pm
Exhibit Hall
Thursday – Saturday, 10 am – 6 pm
Sunday, 10 am – 4 pm
Info Booth, ICC
Wednesday, 9 am – 7 pm
Thursday, 7 am – 7 pm
Friday – Saturday, 8 am – 7 pm
Sunday, 8 am – 4 pm
Info Booth, Stadium
Thursday, 8 am – 7 pm
Friday-Saturday, 9 am – 7 pm
Sunday, 9 am - 4 pm
Show Office
Wednesday, 12 pm – 10 pm
Thursday – Saturday, 7 am – 10 pm
Sunday, 7 am - 5 pm
Contact Us
If you have any inquiries regarding Registration, Customer Service, Will Call, policies, or refunds, please come to the Customer Service kiosks in the Wabash-East Concourse near the Maryland Street entrance of the convention center.
If you have any questions after the show call: (206) 385-1967 or email: customerservice@gencon.com
Regular Customer Service hours are:
Monday – Friday, 9:30 am – 5 pm (Pacific).
Show Policies
Ethics & Conduct
All of the following constitute grounds for expulsion from the convention without refund:
• Violating any federal, state, or local laws, facility rules, or convention policies
• Failure to comply with the instructions of Gen Con Event Staff or security personnel
• Using anything in a threatening or destructive manner against a person or property
• Endangering the safety of oneself or others
• Threatening, stealing, cheating, or harassing others
• Failure to conduct oneself in a mature and responsible manner
If you experience or witness any of the above, please seek out Gen Con Event Staff or Gen Con Security to report the incident. If you can’t locate an Event Staff member, please report the incident to Show Management in the show office located in Room 112
Anti-Harassment Policy
Gen Con: The Best Four Days in Gaming™ is dedicated to providing a harassment-free event experience for everyone, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, ability, physical appearance, body size, race, religion, or affiliation. Gen Con does not tolerate harassment of convention participants in any form. Convention participants violating these rules may be sanctioned or expelled without refund at the discretion of show management.
Security
Security is provided by a professional security firm and may include off-duty law enforcement personnel, security guards, and Gen Con Event Staff. All security personnel serve to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone. Please show them the respect they deserve. Failure to comply with the directives issued by uniformed security and staff may result in immediate expulsion without refund.
Costumes & Weapons
Please note that exceptions may be made to items in bold when you are participating in the cosplay contest, but only for the period in which you are on stage.
• Costumes, cosplays, and general attire must provide the same level of body coverage expected at an all-ages public beach, but no speedos or thongs.
• Footwear is required at all times.
• Costumes should not impede the movement of yourself or others around you. They must fit through a standard American doorway.
• Costumes should not have any functional sharp edges or points that could be a risk to yourself or others.
• Costumes may not include smoke, odors, or fog.
• Cosplay may not include:
° Words, images, or symbols conveying racist, sexist, homophobic, transphobic, or otherwise prejudiced or bigoted messages or sentiments.
° Obscene or offensive language or images including uncensored profanities and pornographic content
• Costumes should not represent or incorporate the iconography, uniform, or appearance of persons or objects associated with prejudice or bigotry (e.g., Nazi imagery).
Show Policies (continued)
• 20th and 21st-century uniforms may not be worn as costumes. These include any uniform that can be construed as a military uniform from any country or a uniform worn in an official capacity, such as security guard, police officer, deputy, fire marshal, paramedic, etc. Active duty military personnel are permitted to wear their government-issued uniforms.
• Costumes and cosplays may incorporate audio or lighting elements of reasonable volume or intensity. Sounds and lights must be able to be turned off quickly if they become disruptive to nearby attendees or events. Weapons and props:
• Costumes and cosplays cannot include historical or modern weapons, nor items that could be confused for them. This includes (but is not limited to): self-defense equipment like pepper spray or tasers; recreational weapons like Airsoft, paintball, water, cap, or BB guns; sharp-edged tools like knives or scissors; or martial-arts weaponry including wooden practice weapons.
• Fantasy or sci-fi/futuristic weapons are allowed so long as they do not resemble actual historical or modern weapons and are handled with respect for the safety and personal space of other attendees.
• No live steel or weapons that can fire projectiles.
• Weapons and props must not exceed the height of a standard American doorway.
• No live steel or weapons that can fire projectiles.
• Any weapon or prop that makes noise must be able to be turned off and must not be excessively loud.
• Questionable items can be brought to the Information Desk in the convention center during operating hours to be checked for compliance with this policy. Some events may provide exceptions to this policy under strict circumstances defined by that event. Items purchased in the Exhibit Hall which violate this policy must be wrapped and immediately removed from the convention premises.
• Gen Con Event Staff or security personnel may inspect any item or costume or request that an attendee remove a mask at any time during the convention. Failure to comply with these policies and/or the instructions of Gen Con Event Staff or security personnel may result in immediate removal from the convention without refund. If you have any questions about these policies, please contact Gen Con Customer Service before the convention or visit the Information Desk in the convention center during operating hours.
Advertising
There is no flyering, postering, or show billing of any kind in or around any of the convention grounds, including the hotels. If caught, you may be asked to leave the convention and have your badge revoked without a refund.
Event Spaces
Gen Con reserves the right to clear each room after an event. Attendees will not be allowed to remain in the room for the next event. Items cannot be stored in event spaces. If found, items may be moved or discarded.
Lost & Found
The Gen Con Show Office (Room 112) will serve as the center for lost and found items during the convention. Unclaimed property will be turned over to the convention center security office at the close of the convention. You can help protect your belongings by including identification tags with mobile phone numbers in wallets, purses, backpacks, and other loose items. Labeling belongings helps Gen Con staff attempt to return recovered items to their rightful owners. Gen Con LLC assumes no responsibility for lost, stolen, or forgotten materials.
Bag Check Services
Gen Con is pleased to continue the partnership with The Mobile Locker Co. to offer convenient on-site bag storage for Gen Con attendees. Enjoy the flexibility of accessing your bags, wagons, or strollers throughout the day, available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Store each bag or large item, such as strollers and wagons, for just $15. To check in items, you must have a Gen Con badge. Simply present your badge at the bag check location in room 231, inside the ICC, during hours of operation. Payments are cashless, and you’ll receive claim tickets through the Mobile Locker Co. system. Be sure to take a picture of your claim ticket in case you misplace it!
If you cannot consolidate your items, an additional charge will apply for new items.
To avoid additional fees, please pick up your items by the end of each day. If you leave any items behind, a fee will apply for the following day.
For policies and terms of service, please visit themobilelockerco.com/policies
Hours of Operation
Thursday – Saturday, 9 am – 7 pm
Sunday, 9 am – 4 pm
Contact:
The Mobile Locker Co.: hello@themobilelockerco.com
Gen Con Customer Service: customerservicegencon.com
LEGAL INFORMATION
Exhibit Hall
To maintain a safe and navigable environment inside the Exhibit Hall (Halls F–K), the use of wagons, carts, rolling luggage, dollies, hand trucks, and stroller wagons are not permitted during hall hours. Standard occupied strollers are allowed only when a child is present. Strollers may not be used to transport merchandise or serve as shopping carts.
Attendees with accessibility-related needs may request exceptions to this policy through Accessibility Services.
Aisles must remain accessible at all times. Sitting on the floor or stopping for cosplay photos in the aisles is not permitted.
Please use the designated photo area outside Hall H for cosplay photography.
The purchase of a Gen Con badge admits one person to all basic activities and exhibits at Gen Con (the “Event”) during regularly scheduled hours for the day(s) it is purchased. Some designated activities require pre-registration and/or payment of a separate, additional fee.
In accepting the badge and in consideration of being admitted to the Event, the holder of the badge hereby: (1) assumes full responsibility for his/her/their own safety, and accepts all known and unanticipated risks of loss, damage, and injury (including death or disability) to himself/herself/ theirself and his/her/their property while attending, participating in, or becoming involved with the Event, regardless of whether or not such risks are attributable to the negligence of others; (2) releases and discharges Gen Con LLC and its employees, officers, directors, owners, sponsors, exhibitors, and contractors (collectively “Gen Con”) from any claims or liability for loss, damage, or injury (including death or disability) to his/her/their person and property arising out of or in any way connected to the Event, including but not limited to claims based on Gen Con’s own negligence; (3) consents to being recorded by audio and/or visual means, and authorizes and permits Gen Con to use and authorize the use of such recordings and his/her/their name, voice, likeness, and all reproductions thereof by any means and for any purposes, in all media now and hereafter known, worldwide in perpetuity; and (4) agrees to comply with all the rules and regulations of the Event.
Gen Con reserves the right to deny entry, or remove from the Event, any person who Gen Con considers, in its sole and absolute discretion, as behaving or threatening to behave in a disruptive manner. The Gen Con badge is non-refundable for any reason. GEN CON, the Gen Con logo, and The Best Four Days in Gaming! are trademarks of Gen Con LLC. All rights Reserved.
Code of Conduct
Together, We Create The Best Four Days in Gaming™
As every gamer knows, a thorough rulebook is the key to everyone having a good time, so here are our rules for a safe and fun Gen Con.
If you have a question about a certain policy or guideline, be sure to read through all of our policies, but if that still doesn’t answer your question, email policyteam@gencon.com. Game on!
Be Safe
• Follow all show policies, venue rules, and staff directions.
• No running, jumping, throwing, or other unsafe shenanigans.
• Support each other in maintaining a safe environment.
• Report concerns to Gen Con Captains (wearing black Event Team vests).
Play Nice
• Don’t harass other attendees, staff, or vendors.
• Respect everyone’s physical and social boundaries and their personal property.
• No stealing, cheating, trolling, or griefing.
Have Fun
• Remember to eat, sleep & shower.
• Make a friend.
• Play some games.
• Explore the show.
Updated Code of Conduct and Anti-Harassment Policy
This is an abridged version of our policy. For the full version, please visit gencon.com/attend/policies
Everyone should observe common-sense rules for behavior, personal interaction, courtesy, and respect. Harassing or offensive behavior will not be tolerated. Gen Con reserves the right to revoke, without refund, the membership and badge of any participant not in compliance with this policy.
Harassment or unwelcome conduct, whether verbal, physical, visual, or in any other form, is strictly prohibited.
Email us confidentially at policyteam@gencon.com if you have any questions or need to report an incident or concern.
Gen Con Values
Whether on site or online, you can help build a Gen Con spirit of cultural integration and awareness in tabletop gaming. Start by supporting underrepresented exhibitors at the convention, adding pronouns to your badge, or spreading the word about our Gen Con Participation Grants program. Thank you for your efforts to make Gen Con an even better place!
Creativity
We encourage, nurture, and support the amazing people, ideas, and technologies that bring Gen Con to life, in all its creative forms.
Inclusive Community-Building
We consciously build welcoming, safer spaces to gather, forge friendships, explore shared passions, and discover new ones. We value active listening and working with our community to shape a Gen Con that is antidiscrimination, anti-racist, and free of sexism, harassment, and hate.
Continuous Growth
We are always searching for new ways to play and celebrate games together. We practice self-awareness, remain humble, and hold ourselves accountable for the things we do to improve the industry ecosystem, grow as individuals, and bring our unique experience to more people across the globe.
Our Place in Gaming History
We acknowledge the history and traditions of Gen Con and its place in the world of gaming. We seek to honor the individuals and accomplishments of those who built our industry while actively working for systemic change. Gen Con is where the story of tabletop games is often written, and we accept the challenge of promoting change so that future Gen Con is grounded in equality, diversity, and borderless joy.
The Power of Gaming Extends Beyond the Table
Gen Con brings together a global community of gamers, creators, publishers, and fans through the power of play. As the largest tabletop gaming convention in North America, we strive to foster creativity, build inclusive communities, and support charitable initiatives that create a lasting impact beyond the convention. For more information, visit gencon.com/aboutus
Our Mission
To create opportunities, experiences, and communities where people can share the joy of games together. We embrace progress while building on over 50 years of history to shape the spirit of Gen Con — a space where fun, empathy, play, and connection are always at the center — and carry it into the future.
Health & Safety
Practice Good Hygiene
• Wash hands frequently with soap and warm water.
• Use hand sanitizer before and after events, meals, and social interactions.
• Shower daily.
Get Some Rest
• Relax in the Quiet Room in Room 211 at the convention center.
• Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep per night.
• Take breaks outdoors for fresh air and enjoy meals at Block Party on South Street.
Nutrition Matters
• Drink water instead of sugary drinks to maintain energy.
• Plan meal breaks wisely to keep energy levels stable with proteins and whole foods.
• Carry healthy snacks like fruit, nuts, or protein bars.
Plan Ahead
• Wear comfortable shoes and bring an extra layer for varying temperatures inside the ICC.
• Bring a reusable water bottle and an extra mask if desired.
Be Mindful of Yourself & Others
• Prioritize health and wellness. Take breaks if needed and be mindful of signs of anxiety.
• Check in with others if they seem off. Always choose kindness and empathy during interactions.
By following these guidelines, you can ensure a healthy, enjoyable experience at Gen Con!
RPGs, Auction, Seminars, Workshops, Escape Rooms, Writers Symposium, Puppet Program
First Floor Second Floor
Omni Severin
RPGs, LARPs, Megagames
First Floor
Second Floor
Basement
Union Station
LARPs, RPGs, Special Events, Entertainment
First Floor
Mezzanine
Second Floor
Designed by J. Tungol
The diabetic grown ups have turned into monsters! As a kid with who eats cereal every morning, you're immune to the monsters' cravings. Armed with your high sugar level and various weapons, you and your fellow Cereal killers must stop the monsters before they eat all the healthy children!
Entertainment, Film, RPGs, Workshops, Board Games
First Floor
Second Floor
KINGDOM DEATH
FEPH Sponsor
Kid Zone Sponsor
Quiet Room Sponsor
Local Parking Sponsor
Official Beer
Official Burger
Official Coffee Official Pizza Official Soda Official Wine
Block Party Partner
Block Party Partner
Official Mocktail Sponsor Promotional Partners
Guests of Honor
Throughout the history of Gen Con, we have been fortunate to have the best and brightest minds in the industry as Guests of Honor at the show. This year, Gen Con welcomes Helaina Cappel and Geoff Engelstein.
Geoff is hosting the following event at Gen Con:
Systems Engineering for Designers (SEM26ND329810)
Thursday, 1 pm – 2 pm
JW White River A
Geoff Engelstein
Geoff Engelstein is an awardwinning tabletop game designer and educator. His game titles include Space Cadets, The Expanse, and the Super Skill Pinball series.
Geoff is a published author of several books, including Building Blocks of Tabletop Game Design, Achievement Relocked, and The Universe Explained with a Cookie.
Geoff’s podcast credits include the long-running GameTek series on The Dice Tower and Ludology.
Geoff is a member of the NYU Game Center faculty.
Helaina is hosting the following event at Gen Con:
From Idea to Shelf — The Publishing Path for Accessible Games (SEM26ND329000)
Friday, 11 am – noon
JW White River A
Helaina Cappel
Helaina Cappel is a schoolteacher and a lifelong board game fan.
In 2015, Helaina founded Kids Table Board Gaming (KTBG) after looking for interesting games to play with her kids and deciding she would just make some herself. Teaming up with her husband, together they designed, funded, and published games including Foodfighters and Haunt the House
Helaina is committed to paving new roads and providing opportunities for marginalized communities in the board game industry.
Block Party
Eat, Drink, Chill, Repeat!
Enjoy cold beer, wine, iced coffee, pizza, food trucks, and more just south of the convention center on South Street. Grab a seat at one of the many tables in the shade of the tents or enjoy the refreshing air conditioning and free Wi-Fi inside the stadium.
Thank you to Wizards of the Coast for adding an additional tent to this year’s Block Party!
Block Party Hours
Wednesday, 4 pm – 8 pm
Thursday – Saturday, 9 am – 8 pm
Sunday, 9 am – 4 pm
Food Truck Hours
Choose from 30 food trucks operating all weekend on South Street!
Thursday – Saturday, 9 am – 8 pm
Sunday, 9 am – 4 pm
Critical Hit Soda
Critical Hit Soda returns as our Official Mocktail Sponsor! Stop by the Critical Hit Soda truck and try any one of their exotic concoctions. With 100 unique flavors to choose from, you will find that perfect alchemical combination to complete your victory.
Sun King Brewery
Join us Wednesday evening at 4 pm on South Street for the release of Rage Quit, the Official Beer of Gen Con 2026. Rage Quit combines bright cherry and lemon-lime flavors in a refreshing ale built for marathon gaming sessions.
Decades of great beers, fun games, and good times have been had with Sun King as the Official Beer Sponsor of Gen Con. To create a signature beer for the 2026 convention, Sun King turned to you, the thirsty gamers!
Rage Quit will be released on Wednesday, July 29, at the Gen Con Block Party! This year’s official beer of Gen Con will be available during Sun King Beer Garden hours, at their family-friendly downtown Indy taproom, and at select bars and restaurants throughout the city for the duration of The Best Four Days in Gaming.
Sun King will also have seltzers and non-alcoholic beers available at their tent on South Street, plus a few ciders from Ash & Elm!
Sun King Beer Garden Hours
Wednesday, 4 pm - 8 pm
Thursday - Saturday, noon - 8 pm
Sunday, noon - 4 pm
Sun King To–Go
Attendees 21+ can purchase beer to-go from the Sun King Brewery Beer Garden on South Street. Note: To-Go purchases may not be consumed in the Beer Garden.
Subway
Subway is proud to be a part of the Gen Con Block Party!
Grab the exclusive Gen Box, packed with a sandwich, chips, a cookie, and a drink —perfect for gaming on the go.
Looking for a healthy option? Subway has you covered. Choose from fresh ingredients, veggies, and balanced choices to eat clean, not a gut bomb.
Whether you’re between sessions or gearing up for your next quest, Subway has the fuel you need to keep the adventure going!
Block Party Concessions
Looking for a quick bite or a convenient snack so you can get back to gaming? Check out additional concessions at Block Party and throughout the convention center.
Island Noodles & Jugs
Check out the delicious grub from some of Indy’s favorite eateries — they will be serving up tasty bites all weekend long!
Block Party
Prime 47
Make your way to the Prime 47 tent on South Street to try the fanfavorite short rib tacos! Now with a gluten-free version!
Red Bull
Stop by the Red Bull tent in the Block Party area for a can of Red Bull and your chance to earn a badge ribbon! Complete four quests throughout the weekend and return your Quest Card to the Red Bull booth to redeem your prize and an ice-cold Red Bull.
Wild Bill’s
Wild Bill’s Craft Beverage Co. brings the Wild West experience to South Street with their exclusive limitededition stainless steel Gen Con souvenir mugs! Don’t miss a chance to level up your gaming experience with Wild Bill’s delicious and refreshing sodas and enjoy unlimited craft soda refills throughout the convention with any Wild Bill’s mug. Sip in style while you explore the best in gaming culture, and make sure to snap a pic with their eye-catching Wild West saloon setup.
Daniel’s Vineyard
Visit the Daniel’s Vineyard tent to swirl, sip, and savor the smooth blends from the Official Wine Sponsor of Gen Con 2026. Fan-favorite exclusive Dragon Dew is back and available in limited quantites. Once it’s gone, it’s gone!
Make sure to swing by and get your Gen Con 2026 collectible wine bottles.
Block Party
Helm Coffee
Fuel your quest with Helm Coffee Roasters’ ultimate iced lineup at the Block Party! From the bold depths of their Cold Brew to the silky smoothness of their Iced Lattes — and the mystical boost of their Rejuvenation Potion — you’ll be ready to conquer any campaign. Grab yours at the Helm tent before they vanish into legend!
HotBox Pizza
HotBox is back for another year as the Official Pizza of Gen Con!
When hunger strikes, Gen Con veterans know to hit the HotBox Pizza tent on South Street to refuel! Pizza, stix, drinks, merch, and this year’s official pie, Dragon’s Luau.
Dragon’s Luau is the brainchild of Wesley Melitz, the winner of our 2026 dream pie contest! This pizza brings the heat, the sweet, and a little island chaos with spicy red sauce, spicy pepperoni, bacon, pineapple, mozzarella cheese, and a drizzle of Mike’s Hot Honey. Pineapple on a spicy pizza? Trust us, this dragon knows exactly what it’s doing! This limited-edition pie will only be available at Gen Con 2026, so make sure you score a slice while you can.
While you’re in town, you can also order the full HotBox menu for delivery from the many locations around the city! Eat. Sleep. Rebel! www.hotboxpizza.com
The Shop
The Shop is Indy’s local t-shirt store. They create apparel featuring local sports, landmarks, civic pride, and pop culture. They are locally and independently owned and operated.
Genevieve Pendant with Chain: $
Color Spray Creations
Booth 2669
Gen Con Charm: $39
Genevieve’s Embers Glasses Chain: $75 Booth 2755 Available in Gold and Silver
My Nerd Life | Booth 2955
Genevieve’s Hoard Tapestry: $100
Boardwalk Puzzles Booth 2954
by
Boardwalk Puzzles | Booth 2954
500-Piece Traditional Jigsaw Puzzle Featuring 2026 Gen Con Program Cover Art by Bryce Kho: $29.99
My Nerd Life | Booth 2955
Mini Fun-Size Cube Puzzle Featuring Chibi Genevieve Illustration
Tinnel Lovitt: $19.99
Chibi Genevieve D20: $45
Badali Jewelry | Booth 139
Badali Jewelry | Booth 139
Baby Genevieve Canvas Purse: $65
CoolStuffInc. | Booth 1501
Genevieve’s Draconic
Codex Playmat: $30
BCW Supplies | Booth 2927
Gen Con Card Sleeves: $9.99
Crystal Caste Booths 329,903,1829
2026 Gen Con Dice Set: $20
Dryad Tea | Booth 1641
Questgiver’s Bargain Tea: $20
FanRoll by Metallic Dice Games Booths 517, 1512, 2801
2026 Genevieve Rolling
Scroll: $20
FanRoll by Metallic Dice Games Booths 517, 1512, 2801
2026 Metal D20
Blind Pack: $20
FanRoll by Metallic Dice Games Booths 517, 1512, 2801
2026 55mm
Genevieve Liquid Core D20: $50
Receive a FREE exclusive Gen Con mini dice set with any purchase of a licensed Gen Con 2026 product from FanRoll
FanRoll by Metallic Dice Games Booths 517, 1512, 2801
2026 Flight of Genevieve Liquid Core Sharp Edge Dice Set:
Official Merchandise
Rollacrit
Gen Con Store: Wabash Lobby, ICC
Gen Con Mini Mart: Booth #3019
Official Gen Con Merch and Apparel
Rollacrit is Gen Con’s official merchandise and apparel partner, providing exclusive convention souvenirs, gifts, collectibles, and tabletop gaming fashion for the whole family.
Rollacrit is the shopping destination for those who explore dungeons, construct settlements, defeat monsters, and roll dice with friends.
Shop tees, hoodies, drinkware, hats, bags, collector’s pins, gifts, and more at the Gen Con Store (Wabash Concourse Lobby) and the Gen Con Mini Mart (Exhibit Hall booth 3019).
Shop online-only exclusives, classic styles, and limited releases all year long at rollacrit.com/pages/gencon.
Gen Con 2026
Genevieve’s Tiny Treasure Enamel Pin: $15
Gen Con Manticore World Tour 2026 T-Shirt:
Gen Con 2026 House of Genevieve T-Shirt: $40
University
Gen Con 2026 House of Genevieve Lanyard:
Let’s All Go To Gen Con 2026 T-Shirt: $40
Con 2026
Badge Wallet: $15
Gen Con 2026
Genevieve’s Tiny Treasure Youth T-Shirt:
(Back)
$40
Gen Con
Sweatshirt: $60
Gen Con 2026 Year Pin: $15
Gen
Genevieve’s Wax Seal Enamel Pin: $20
Gen Con Retro Pride $ Gen Con 2026 Potion Master’s T-Shirt: $40
$25
The Heroes for Hire are back, and this year, Genevieve the Dragon joins the lineup with her own Character Cup! Come see what’s new in the dungeon.
WHEN YOU $100+ HEROES OF BARCADIA MERCHANDISE AT ROLLACRIT’S BOOTH #3019
Gate Keeper Games & Dice | Booths 151, 2349
Fire Dragon and Purple Wyrmling 16.95
Geek Orthodox | Booth 259
Genevieve Takes Flight 3D Stained Glass Flying Dragon: $120
Flashback COMES IN TWO SIZES 26 x 26 Fuzzy 14 x 24 Metallic
Molten Core Maestro with Metallic Foiling
2026 Gen Con Convention Set
The Convention Set can be purchased at the Rollacrit Gen Con Store in the Wabash Lobby or at the Foam Brain Games booth (#2658) in the Exhibit Hall, while supplies last.
How to Get Rare Pins
Rare Pin 1: Staff Trade
Trade any 2026 Pin Bazaar pin with Gen Con staff at these locations:
• Downtown Marriott Event HQ
• Hoosier Concourse Info Booth
• Crossroads Concourse Info Booth
• Stadium Info Booth
Rare Pins 2, 3, 4: Tickets
Exchange Pin Bazaar tickets at Foam Brain Games’ booth #2658.
• 1 Rare = 7 Tickets
• 2 Different Rares = 14 Tickets
• All 3 Rares = 21 Tickets Show rare pin #1 when turning in 21 tickets to receive the Ultra Rare Pin!
About Pin Bazaar
Pin Bazaar offers unique enamel pins at gaming and pop culture conventions since 2018. Known for affordable designs, vendors and artists showcase exclusive pins, while the Pin Bazaar Discord connects enthusiasts year-round.
Rare Pin 1 Glitter D8
Rare Pin 2 Pass the Cape
Rare Pin 3 Art Show Genevieve Rare Pin 4 Cardhalla
Convention Set Pin 1 Dragon Possum
Convention Set Pin 2 Gen Con Underworld
Convention Set Pin 3 Tavern Sign
Ultra Rare Tangle of Lights Genevieve
Laura VanArendonk Baugh Art Show Table
Leder
Show Highlights
Opening Ceremonies
Kick off the Best Four Days in Gaming™ with Gen Con leadership, Matt Mercer from Critical Role, and special guests as they share highlights for the weekend. The audience will also have a chance to win prizes in a drawing. Don’t miss it!
Thursday, 9 am
ICC: 500 Ballroom
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Tabletop Gaymers Lounge
Tabletop Gaymers invite you to stop by, say hello to the crew, and join dozens of games. Pick up Gaymer, Ally, and Pride badge ribbons and attend a nightly Gaymer Gathering to meet fellow Gaymers and Allies.
Thursday - Saturday, 8 am – midnight
Sunday, 8 am – 3 pm
ICC: Room 120
Trinket Trading Meet-Ups
Join fellow Gen Con trinket traders at various spaces throughout the convention to exchange all types of goodies, from friendship bracelets to pins, from homemade treasures to purchased possessions!
Genevieve Meet & Greet Photo Ops
Be on the lookout for Genevieve, the friendly red dragon! As Gen Con’s mascot, she’ll be making appearances throughout the convention center all weekend long to give a hug or high five to attendees and pose for photos.
BIPOC Industry Networking Event
Gen Con is delighted to host the fourth annual BIPOC Industry Networking Event, where Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) can meet gaming industry pros, seek career advice, and foster new connections.
Friday, 4 pm
ICC: 144-145
Gen Con Dance
Dance the night away at Gen Con! Get your groove on with DJs spinning nerdy classics and the latest pop hits. Bonus: cash bars! Join the party and celebrate the last night of the convention.
Saturday, 9 pm
Union Station: Grand Hall
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BIPOC Lounge
The Gen Con BIPOC Lounge, in partnership with The Rose Gauntlet Foundation, is a dedicated space for Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) to connect, relax, and network. All BIPOC attendees are welcome in our spacious and vibrant lounge, which features games and art created by BIPOC designers, a game library, scheduled events, refreshments, and opportunities to connect with the Gen Con BIPOC community.
Professionals are encouraged to use the lounge to meet with industry peers, find resources from organizations seeking to work and mentor BIPOC creators, schedule meetings, relax, and recharge.
Thursday – Saturday, noon – 10 pm
Sunday, 11 am – 3 pm
ICC: Room 240
Game Market Indianapolis
Up-and-coming designers invite you to explore their self-published games and make purchases on the spot. Discover the next great game and help support emerging talent in the industry!
Saturday, 7 – 10 pm
JW Marriott: Third Floor Foyer
ZED26ND325961
Show Highlights
Purchase a Gen Con 2026 Souvenir Cup
Featuring the vibrant 2026 program cover art by Bryce Kho, these durable, scratch-resistant 44 oz collectors cups are $25 and include your beverage, a reusable lid, and a straw — the perfect way to stay hydrated between gaming events and shopping the Exhibit Hall. With a 2026 cup, enjoy unlimited $2 refills all weekend long at concession stands in the ICC and Stadium.
Missing a cup design from a previous show? Select concession stands are offering a limited supply of 2025 and 2024 cups at $8 each! These cups include your first beverage, lid, and straw, but are not eligible for refills.
Collective Art Project
Unleash your inner artist— pick up a brush and help color a giant fantasy painting. Join creator and artist Kathleen Hardy to add your talent to the canvas.
Thursday-Saturday, noon – 7 pm
Sunday, 11 am – 2 pm
ICC: Capitol Concourse
Quiet Room
Need to de-stress, de-compress, and re-group? Our Quiet Room, brought to you by Incredible Dream, is just the place! A low-light, self-monitored space where you can get away from the high stimulation of the convention awaits you.
Thursday – Saturday, 10 am – 6 pm
Sunday, 10 am – 3 pm
ICC: 211
Community Row
Explore and meet folks from local community organizations, nonprofits, and gaming groups. Discover gamer-friendly activities and learn more about opportunities for local gaming, volunteering, and education.
Thursday - Saturday, 10 am - 6 pm
Sunday, 10 am - 4 pm
ICC: Second Floor, Sagamore Concourse
Cardhalla
Use your imagination and put your creativity to work to help build a giant structure out of cards! It’s free to join, and everyone is welcome to participate. Grab a pile and start folding and stacking!
On Saturday night, bring your coins to help destroy the Cardhalla structure for charity. All proceeds collected are given to our 2026 charity partners. The damage begins at 10 pm with an auction for the first throw. Total destruction begins at 10:30 pm.
Community Photo Mosaic Wall Sponsored by The Op Games
Join the fun and share your Gen Con adventures! Upload a photo of yourself, your friends, or family enjoying games and creating memories at the convention. Submit your image to the giant community mosaic wall and see how the collected photos come together to form a masterpiece of unforgettable moments from the show. Visit the mosaic wall in the Hoosier Concourse during operating hours to learn how to participate in the fun!
Women and Femme-Aligned RPGs with The Ladies of D&D
Calling all lady knights, wizard women, and femme fighters! Join the Ladies of D&D for RPG events featuring one-shots led by experienced DMs. Enjoy fun, interactive, and womencentered adventures with opportunities for roleplaying, combat, and skill encounters.
Never played before? They offer a learn-to-play module, so just bring your sense of adventure! See the full event schedule and register for tickets here:
Entrepreneurs Avenue
Dedicated Space in the Exhibit Hall for Companies Exhibiting at Gen Con for the First Time
Demo hot new games, discover
2026 Marketing Fellowships
Chris Couch Games invites players to “Kick Back and Play” their sneakily strategic games — designed to surprise while keeping fun front and center. Their catalog includes Kraken Skulls, Holiday Hills, and Jingle Bell Roll, with upcoming titles Garden Club, Haunted Hills, and Vector. Visit their booth to play and shop.
Pegasus Games makes thematic, funny, welcoming tabletop experiences. Their showcase features Love, Career & Magic — a chaotic, 12-minute, GM-less roleplaying game where fantasy meets reality TV. Beginner-friendly and easy to teach, it’s the perfect gateway into RPGs. Great games don’t need big budgets — just big imagination and heart.
Storybrewers Roleplaying (Vee Hendro and Hayley Gordon) are the award-winning Aussie duo behind Storybrewers Roleplaying — emotionally rich TTRPGs exploring romance, queer narratives, and drama. Visit their booth for a first look at the new Good Society: A Jane Austen RPG, plus the Littlebox series, Fight with Spirit, and free promo cards.
Ludoliminal is debuting at Gen Con to present Diatoms — a multi-award-winning, puzzly pattern-making game for 1–4 players inspired by microscopic algae — and Uh Oh, Dino! a cooperative family game featuring chunky wooden dinos. The new Meteors & Meat-Eaters expansion will also be available.
Moon Saga Workshop, founded by Chris Eastridge, creates inclusive, thematic tabletop experiences with strong replay value. Each game pairs mechanics with a theme to create cohesive, replayable experiences. Rules are written for accessibility, welcoming casual and experienced players alike without sacrificing depth.
Pink Hawk Games crafts whimsical strategy games with surprisingly deep gameplay. Their flagship Pirates of the High Teas won BostonFIG’s Best Hobby Game of 2024. Good Kitties, a cooperative cat caper for 1–4 players, and Super Chonk, a chaotic card game for 2–6, are also available to demo at their booth.
Stadium Events
At a Glance
Stadium Hours
Thursday – Saturday, 7 am – 2 am
Sunday, 7 am – 4 pm
Event Registration and Customer Service
Thursday – Saturday, 7 am – midnight
Sunday, 7 am – 4 pm
Amenities
Looking for a break from the crowds in the Exhibit Hall, or a place to recharge and refuel with a cold drink and tasty snack? The Stadium has you covered! Enjoy free Wi-Fi, refreshing air conditioning, plenty of restrooms, a bounty of concessions, and ample seating to provide a well-deserved pause in your schedule. Food and beverages purchased at Block Party may be enjoyed in the Stadium.
While you’re there, check out the Midfield Experience and snap a pic on the actual turf that the Indianapolis Colts and Indy Eleven play on, with Genevieve standing proudly next to you. Share it on social media with #gencon!
Pin Trading at the North Plaza
Join fellow Gen Con pin fans to trade unique, rare, and collectible pins, including official Gen Con Pin Bazaar program pins! Daily trading takes place in the Stadium North Plaza at the Horseshoe. Grow your hoard, meet fellow pin collectors, and walk away with a new treasure or two!
Thursday – Saturday, 2:30 pm
Sunday, 2:30 pm
Blood Drive
Get ready to make a difference and score big at the Gen Con Blood Drive, proudly run by the American Red Cross and the Heinlein Society! By donating blood, you make a significant difference in the lives of others and help people who need blood transfusions due to surgery, cancer treatment, trauma, and more. And, if the odds are in your favor, donors will receive a special prize from the loot chest!
Don’t miss your chance, scan the QR code to book a time slot now!
Stadium Events
Dungeons & Dragons and Magic: The Gathering
Roll for initiative! Dungeons & Dragons and Magic: The Gathering are taking over Lucas Oil Stadium, and there’s so much to experience. Whether you’re capturing the perfect selfie at a photo opportunity, casting spells at the Edge of Eternities, or rolling natural 20s, there’s no better place to be than on the turf where heroes are made.
The Hobbiton Summer Festival
Go There and Back Again With Magic!
Follow the footsteps of The Hobbit and discover Magic along the way, with snacks, live music, gameplay, and exciting meetand-greets! Join the “Larder & Loot” Scavenger Hunt and Gen Con Step Challenge to earn exclusive Magic: The Gathering rewards.
Make your way to the West Concourse inside Lucas Oil Stadium, where you’ll meet Magic: The Gathering artists, shop the festival store, enjoy live music, discover family crafting, face painting, gaming, cosplay repair services, and more!
Over in the East Concourse, VIP Weekend Experiences offer wondrous delights, and you’ll want to continue your enchanted journey to the Shire’s Shaded Spot, just steps outside the stadium at the Gen Con Block Party.
Rush of Ikorr $100k Cash Prize Tournament
Upper Deck Games is excited to host a brand-new tournament centered on their original trading card game, Rush of Ikorr.
Fans and gamers can compete for a $100K cash prize pool in the Rush of
Ikorr TCG Championship Tournament. This tournament does not require participation in pre-qualification tournaments to enter or to earn a chance at the grand prize!
The tournament will feature 3 vs. 3 formats, with players required to register as a complete team of three. The playable card pool will feature Rush of Ikorr Act 1, which includes Shattered Chaos, Merciless Battlegrounds, and the upcoming Luminary Strike.
Learn more about the tournament at my.upperdeck.com/100k-tournament
Register for the tournament and prepare for the ultimate showdown in the stadium using the QR code below!
Makers Market
Discover Hidden Treasures Between Worlds
As you travel between the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium, don’t just pass through. Explore. The Makers Market transforms the hallway connecting these two spaces into a vibrant showcase of creativity, where independent artists, makers, and creators bring a touch of magic.
Browse one-of-a-kind art, handcrafted goods, and tabletop treasures while connecting with passionate creators who are eager to share their stories.
Participating Vendors
• MintandApple 7001
• A Critical Hit 7003
• Druids Garden Tea Company 7004
• Lilystrations 7006
• Cloud Curio 7007
• CryTime 7009
• The Flickering Lantern 7010
• Sunny Sponder 7012
• Cryptid Dicecraft 7013
• Silverwood Wood Designs 7015
• ArtisXan LLC 7016
• Dice by The Griffon’s Nest 7018
• Critical Hit Collectibles 7019
• Rin Marks 7021
• Dragon Coop 7101
• Smoking Glue Guns 7102
• Geoff Pascual 7103
• One Page Rules 7104
• Thor Custom Designs 7105
• Love Links by Rae Permanent Jewelry 7106
• Baird Crafted 7107
• Nerdy Nixies 7108
Kid Zone
Games, Crafts, and More for Kids of All Ages
Step into the Kid Zone — a playful space where your little gamers can explore new board games, get creative with crafts, and make memories with other gaming families. It’s all about fun, connection, and sparking a lifelong love of play! Located in Wabash 2 and 3 in the Indiana Convention Center (ICC).
WABASH 2
For
older kids ready for structured activities
Most of the events in this area are ticketed. You’ll find kid friendly crafting events, appropriate introductory RPG events, wand making, and a variety of other activities. Search “KID” events in the online Event Catalog to see all events offered here.
WABASH 3
For younger kids
This is the place to introduce younger kids to the gaming world and all its possibilities. This side of the room has some scheduled events, but primarily has many free-form activities and a large inventory of age-appropriate board game and card game titles available for free play. Stop by any time to see what’s happening and join in the fun!
This area is most appropriate for kids ages 4-9 years old; please note that kids may not be left unattended in this, or any area. A curtained off nursing space is available for use.
At a Glance Day + Time
Thursday – Saturday, 10 am – 8 pm
Sunday, 10 am – 3 pm
Location
Wabash 2 & 3
For the littlest of littles
There is an adjacent crawling and toddler area. This area provides a clean, carpeted, quiet area where your little ones can spend some time during the convention.
The Kid Zone is supported by:
Event Hall B · IELLO & Booth 1901
VISIT US AT GEN CON Play our new games
Charity Partners
Gen Con Isn’t Just About Gaming; It’s Also About Giving!
Immigrant Welcome Center is a nonprofit organization providing comprehensive immigrant support, community integration, and advocacy based in Indianapolis. As we celebrate our 20th anniversary in 2026, we look forward to continuing our work as a trusted partner and advocate for all immigrants. We support immigrant neighbors and community partners by providing programs including English and citizenship classes, naturalization clinics, trainings and presentations, and more. Learn more at immigrantwelcomecenter.org
Learn more about how you can get involved in our charity events.
During The Best Four Days in Gaming™, we’re committed to giving back to our community. Gen Con is pleased to host two amazing nonprofit organizations, Super Heroines, Etc. and Immigrant Welcome Center, as our official 2026 charity partners. Together, we can make a positive impact right here in Indianapolis and within the tabletop gaming community.
All proceeds from participating charity events are split evenly between our two partners.
Super Heroines, Etc. is a joyful and inclusive nonprofit organization that uses the power of fandom to fight for equity and representation.
We gather superheroines in safe environments for empowering events, fostering educational opportunities, and inspiring creative change in their communities.
As activists, we attend local, regional, and national conventions to discuss representation in the media and provide tools and support for Super Heroines Etc. to be agents of positive change. Learn more at superheroinesetc.org
• Everything two players need to jump into Heroscape!
• Six all-new Heroes supporting the Umbral Covenant and Clockwork Combine alliances.
• Introduces two Young Shroudshroom terrain pieces: living fungal hazards!
Auction
Discover Hidden Treasures at the Auction & Consignment Shop
Step into the excitement of the Gen Con auction where thousands of tabletop treasures will find new homes! Whether you’re a collector hunting for rare gems, a budget-savvy gamer looking for great deals, or just here for the bidding wars, the auction is your chance to score big. Expect an incredible variety and plenty of surprises.
Looking to sell? Drop your games off at the consignment shop and let us do the work. Then, watch the action unfold from the front row. Come ready to bid, barter, and bring home something epic.
Auction Events
Crowdfunding Auction
Thursday, 8 pm
Sail the seas of crowdfunding with us! Expect big games, big boxes, and big surprises! Pirate hats optional!
Collectibles Auction
Friday, 8 pm
The collectibles auction caters to rare and coveted items. Want a sneak peek? Look for collectibles auction items on display in the glass showcase near the auction stage.
Charity Auction
Saturday, 7 pm
The most desirable items donated by exhibitors and collectors will be auctioned off, with all proceeds going directly to our charity partners — Immigrant Welcome Center and Super Heroines, Etc.
All times are approximate. Check for the updated schedule posted in the auction room.
How It Works
Buyers
REGISTRATION: When you arrive at the auction, simply pay $1 to be issued a card with your unique bidder number good for the entire convention.
BIDDING: When you see an item you want, hold your card high in the air with your number facing the stage and KEEP IT UP for as long as you are interested. If you hold your card up for longer than other bidders, you win! It’s that easy!
PAYMENT: You can pay for each item as you win or open a daily tab by paying a $50 non-refundable fee. This money will be credited towards any purchases you make. If you open a tab, your winnings will be stored until the end of that day’s session. We accept cash and major credit cards. There is a 3% buyers premium added to each transaction, which is waived for cash transactions.
CONSIGNMENT STORE: Not in the mood for a bidding war, but still looking for a good bargain? Peruse and discover hidden gems amongst the thousands of items available at the consignment store, now in a bigger space with wider aisles. This means more items, more room for browsing, and shorter wait times to get in. Anyone with a valid Gen Con badge can enter and purchase items without needing to register with the auction. New items are added throughout the show with some prices changing daily.
Sellers
At a Glance
Day + Time
CONSIGNMENT STORE
Thursday, 10 am – 10 pm
Friday, 9 am – 10 pm
Saturday, 9 am – 7 pm
LIVE AUCTION
Thursday, 10 am – 11 pm
Friday, 9 am – 11 pm
Saturday, 9 am – 11 pm
Location
Marriott Ballroom 5 & 6
PRE-REGISTRATION: All items must be registered on the auction’s website (livegameauctions.com) before the convention.
ITEM DROP-OFF TIMES
Pre-registered live auction Items and Consignment Store items accepted. Wednesday, noon – 6 pm Thursday, 10 am – 8 pm
Additional consignment store items may be accepted depending on inventory.
Friday, 10 am – 2 pm
For those dropping off for the auction, the side entrance on South Missouri Street allows for an easy drop-off, complete with a ramp and an elevator up to the auction entrance. Please refrain from using the hotel turnaround driveway to unload.
PAYOUTS: There are three options for receiving payment for your sold items:
• When your item is sold until Saturday at 5 pm
• Sunday, 10 am – 2 pm
• By check in the mail (default option if you don’t pick up your payout)
UNSOLD ITEMS: Unsold items should be picked up on Sunday from 10 am – 2 pm. Any items not collected by 2 pm will become the property of the auction.
Board Games and Card Games
Game On: Board and Card Game Events for Everyone
Gen Con offers you the best seat in gaming. Explore thousands of events designed to help you play, learn, and connect. From casual games and epic adventures to championship tournaments and hands-on activities, you’ll find experiences for every interest and skill level during The Best Four Days in Gaming™. Discover new games fresh off the press, share unforgettable moments with friends old and new, and take part in exclusive events from the publishers and communities shaping the future of tabletop games.
For a full schedule of board games and card games, scan the QR code.
Sneak Peeks of UPCOMING games!
*While supplies last
PARTY
Celebrate our 10th birthday by getting the tuckbox edition of your new favourite trick-taking game for free!
*Check the coupon book to redeem.
*While supplies last, limited quantities daily.
Board Games and Card Games
Board and Card Game Groups
Allplay
B.A. Games
Bandai Japan
Bitewing Games
CGE (Czech Games Edition)
Cincinnati Arsenal Gaming
Erik’s Curiosa
Fight in the Skies Society
ICC: 140
ICC: Hall B
Container, French Toast, Jibber Jabble, Mountain Goats Legacy, Triangulation
Cult of the Deep, Forges of Ravenshire, Goats & Goblins, Truffle Snuffle
ICC: Hall B, Stadium: Field Digimon Card Game, Dragon Ball Super Card Game, Gundam Card Game, NARUTO CARD GAME, One Piece Card Game
ICC: Hall C
ICC: 235-239
ICC: Hall A
ICC: Hall B
Azure, Gold Country, Moytura, Totally Human
Codenames, Drillers, Galaxy Trucker, Lost Ruins of Arnak, SETI: Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence
Carcassonne, Catan, Terraforming Mars, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Party
Sorcery: Contested Realm
Stadium: Field A Place for All my Books, Betrayal at House on the Hill, Dawn Patrol, Flip 7, Red Dragon Inn, Wingspan Game Base 7
JW: Griffin Hall
Kelly’s Heroes Gaming Collective
Kingdom Death
Legend Story Studios
Mid Level Meeple
Pastimes Events
Pokemon
ProtoCLE
Ravensburger
Riot Games
Rising Phoenix Gaming Club
Rogue Judges
Simeous Business
Slugfest Games
Tabletop Gaymers Inc
The Upper Deck Company
Train Gamers Association
Tycoon Games
WeirdCo
7 Wonders, Cards Against Humanity, Horrified, Splendor, Ticket to Ride, Wingspan, Wyrmspan
JW: Grand Ballroom 1-2 Flip 7, Horrified, Sentinels of the Multiverse, Trekking The World
Bring Your Game, Make New Friends — Open Gaming is Waiting!
Open Gaming Is available in the JW’s cozy yet spacious Grand Ballrooms 5 and 6! Have a game already? Find an open table to set up and play with old and new friends.
Grab an orange cone to indicate that your group wants more folks to join the fun!
Questions? Ask for help on Discord or the JW HQ, located on the second floor of the JW hotel.
#indy-looking-for-game on Discord
Ready to start your game now?
Post in the #indy-looking-forgame channel in the Gen Con Discord to let other attendees know, even if they aren’t wandering the open gaming space right now. Include what game you’re playing, how many more players you can fit, and where you are located in the hall, so folks can find you.
Looking for Players?
Borrow a cone from the HQ — Please return them once your game starts, so others can use them!
Looking for Players: Orange Cone
Use an orange cone if you have a game to play but need more players!
Looking for a Teacher: Checkered Flag
Place one of these flags in your cone if you’re looking for someone who knows the game to join and teach you.
Games Library
Thousands of Games Await You at Lucas Oil Stadium
Play new games, replay the classics, and let the adventures begin.
The library is the largest destination at Gen Con for chilling out with friends and having a great time. Event tickets grant you access to thousands of titles and unlimited plays during your session!
Full games are awarded as prizes all weekend long!
At a Glance Day + Time
Thursday – Saturday, 8 am – 2 am
Sunday, 8 am – 3 pm (last game checkout at 1 pm)
Location
The Stadium
Children With Wristbands Play for FREE
Accompanied by a ticketed adult, children with wristbands play for free! The library also hosts pick-up games, and much more. Play with your group, or join others looking for players.
The Gen Con Games Library is presented by Lending Library Logistics Leadership: Marissa Maile, Diane & Kevin Kincaid, and Jeremy Burke.
First Exposure Playtest Hall
At a Glance Day + Time
Thursday – Saturday, 8 am – 10 pm
Sunday, 8 am – 2 pm
Location ICC: Room 107-110
Play New Games and Connect With Designers
Join designers and publishers as they present new prototypes in the First Exposure Playtest Hall (FEPH). Gen Con attendees can play them for FREE — the presenters pay for playtest sessions instead of the players buying tickets.
First Exposure Playtest Hall
Participating Designers
@todoesjugable
4th Pillar Games
9 Kingdoms Game Development
Almanac Games
Ancient Origins Games
Ante 45
Arcane Explorations
Arsenic Ink
Balloonpunk Games
Base16
Beadle & Grimm’s
Big Day
Bloodborn Games
Box Out Games
Breault Games LLC
Brickly Games
Burnt Hare Games
Candlecraft Games
Central Michigan University Press
CloudKey
CowHammer Studios
Crash Test Games llc
Crescent Wrench Games
Crit Goblin
Croaks & Daggers
Darkwana Games
deck tactics
Devil May Care Games
Diamond Design Studios
Dice & Dagger
Digitized Visual
Dobey Games
Dream Bridge Games
DuckLasers
Eleventy Gentlemen
Elixir Games
Ember Leaf Games
Enginuity Games
Faceless Games
Fear is the Mind Killer
Fleming & Hound Games
Flora Makes Me Smile
Gamesville Workshop, LLC
Giant Leap Games
GOODMAGIK Games
Hear Me Out Games
Hounded Games
Huitzi Games
Iceblink Games
Iris Garden, LLC
John Hollenbach
Kim For The Win
Liontoad Games
Lisa Was Here
Love and War
Mad Nomad Media
Magic Helmet Games
MatchBoxGames
Meeple Logic
Merit Games
Mira’s Lab
Mutambi Games
Nesha Games
Nic James Games
Nonymous Games
Nv3 Studio
Origami
Whale Games
Parallel Dimension Gaming
Party Tails
Premonition
Pumpkin Face Games
Punk ‘N Lala, LLC
Quill Gaming
Red Bucket Rising
Red Tail Games
Reel Rivals
Replay Works
Retro monki
Rough Draft Games
Simeous Business
Sky Turtle Press
SlamB Productions
Smudg’d Ink Studios
Snarky Dice Games
Solgears Workshop
Spiritbrawl Design Team
Square Fire Gaming
Squishy Cube Games
Strange Alice Entertainment
Strange Biscuits Games
Studio Jophiel
Sunny Trails LLC
Sunrise Tornado
Tabletop and Beyond
Tabletop Tinkers
TableTopics
Tactical Sloth Games
Terratorial
Test Your Connection
The Bear Clan
The Misplay
The World Was Young Third Place Games
Timothy Tobeck
Tiny Whaling Cats
TOPHAT Games
Travelers Tale
Twisted Wit Games
Volition RPG
Winged Sandals Games
WinGo Games
YAQOVIA GAMES
…and more to come!
Roleplaying Games
A Roleplaying Game (RPG) Portrays Characters in a Fictional World of Shared Imagination
Create characters, tell stories, and roll the dice. There is nothing quite like sitting at a table and building a world together. At Gen Con, RPGs are more than just games; they’re collaborative storytelling experiences powered by imagination, guided by gamemasters, and shaped by rolling the dice.
You’re questing, conspiring, and creating unforgettable moments alongside fellow adventurers. Whether it’s your first campaign or your fiftieth, ask yourself where you want your imagination to take you.
For a full schedule of RPG events, use our mobile app, go to gencon.com to purchase tickets, or scan the QR code for a complete list of events with tickets available.
Roleplaying Games
RPG Groups
23rd Century Productions
3WS Games
AAW Games
Arcane Library
Baldman Games
Catalyst Game Labs
Creature Curation
Darrington Press
Free League Publishing
Gooey Cube
JW: White River Ballroom F Battlelords, Savage Worlds
ICC: 131-132 Cypher
JW: White River Ballroom C-D Dungeons & Dragons
JW: 103 Shadowdark
Stadium: West Club Lounge Dungeons & Dragons
ICC: 127, Hyatt: Cosmopolitan Ballroom A Shadowrun
JW: 102
Raptor Ruckus, Vast Grimm
ICC: Hall D, Marriott: Lincoln, Marriott: Santa Fe Daggerheart
Live Action Roleplaying Games (LARPs) Bring Your Favorite RPG Elements to Life Through Immersive, LiveAction Play
In a LARP, you physically portray your character, generally by moving around in real space and with more direct player-to-player interaction than in a traditional tabletop RPG.
LARPers often enhance their roleplaying with costumes and props. LARP events are a great way to experience immersive roleplaying and improvisational storytelling — no previous experience is needed!
For a full schedule of LARPs, use our mobile app, go to gencon.com to purchase tickets, or scan the QR code for a complete list of events with tickets available.
A Selection of Groups Running LARPs
Group Location
BYOV
Chicago ConLARP
City of Glass Games
Elder Entertainment
Goblin Mkt
Grimmoire Productions
Infinite Decision Gameworks
Union Station
Marriott
Game
BYORP
Chicago ConLARP
Crowne Plaza, Union Station Mind's Eye Theatre, Vampire: The Masquerade
Union Station Call of Cthulhu
Union Station
Goblin Mkt Freeform
Crowne Plaza, Omni, Union Station Grimmoire Freeform
Crowne Plaza, Union Station Masque of the Red Death
Our World of Darkness Omni Vampire: The Masquerade
We are also at Booth #162 (in the Exhibitor Hall)
Megagames
Megagames Are Just What They Sound Like — Games, but Make It Mega
Combining aspects of board games and LARPs, megagames often involve dozens of players weaving interconnected storylines through multiple stages of play. Each player is assigned a role (sometimes with a backstory, personality, or a secret goal), and as they play through multiple sub-games, the outcomes of their play drive the story of the larger game. Megagames can take the form of anything from large-scale government simulations of natural disasters, to preparing for a kaiju attack, to seeing how a real-world government would react to aliens arriving on Earth!
For a full schedule of Megagames, use our mobile app, go to gencon. com to purchase tickets, or scan the QR code for a complete list of events with tickets available.
Megagame Groups
Basenti
Everything Epic
Megagame Coalition
Mystic Realms
National Security Decision Making (NSDM)
Omni Mischief of Faction, Oligopoly, Watch the Skies
Hilton Dragon Thrones, Vampire the Masquerade
JW Courting Trouble, Den of Wolves, The World Turned Upside Down
Cthulhu Conquest, Galactic Mercenaries
Le Meridien American Revolution Crisis, Doomsday, Near Future Science-Fiction Crisis
Hilton
Miniatures Games
Witness Legendary Battles on a
Miniature Scale
Miniatures games are some of the most visually impressive events at the convention — recreating the great battles of history, engaging in magical and fantastical combat, or waging neverending war in the distant future — all on a tiny scale!
Minis games bring the action to life with physical models, often assembled and painted in painstaking detail. Many players also enhance tabletop play with modeled terrain pieces.
At Gen Con, minis games that depict battles and conflict from the real world are categorized as Historical Miniatures (HMN), while those played in fantasy or science fiction settings are called NonHistorical Miniatures (NMN).
Scan the QR code, use our mobile app, or go to gencon.com for a complete list of miniatures events with tickets available.
Able Kompanie
AerodromeACE
Ares Games
Atomic Mass Games
Catalyst Game labs
Cincinnati Arsenal Gaming
Games Workshop
Northern Virginia Gamers (NOVAG)
Ottawa Red Shirts
Renegade Game Studios
SWM Gamers
The SmoreySwamp
Wyrd Games
Stadium: Field Flames of War, Clash of Steel
ICC: Hall B Aerodrome
ICC: Hall C
ICC: Hall E
Quartermaster General: 1914, Sails of Glory, Wings of Glory
Marvel: Crisis Protocol, Star Wars: Legion, Star Wars: Shatterpoint
ICC: Hall A Battletech, Leviathans
ICC: Hall A Battletech, Dropfleet, Necromunda, Space Hulk
ICC: Hall C, ICC: Hall E Age of Sigmar, Blood Bowl, Horus Heresy, Kill Team
ICC: Hall C
ICC: Hall B
Ares Zombies, Formula Waaaaagh!, Gaslands Refuelled, Wings of Glory
Games of War, Battletech, Six Shooter
ICC: Hall D Heroscape: Age of Annihilation
ICC: Hall C
ICC: Hall C
Imperial Assault, Star Wars Miniatures, Star Wars Pod Racing
Axis & Allies
ICC: Hall B Malifaux, The Other Side
The sequel to the critically acclaimed THE KING’S
THE ULTIMATE NARRATIVE LEGACY EXPERIENCE OF POLITICS, POWER, AND BETRAYAL.
Miniatures Hobby Events (MHE)
The Beloved Craft of Miniatures
Painting, sculpting, and more! Featuring events for all skill levels. Try your hand at painting miniatures for the first time, practice your skills, or compete against other painters!
Speed Painting
Battle against the clock to paint the best mini in the time limit! Event fee includes use of supplies, and you get to keep the mini you paint! Ticketed events are associated with different manufacturers, some of which have final rounds you can compete to get in. Be the best painter in your group and advance to a championship round on Sunday!
of Painting
Watch professional speed-painters compete to paint the best mini; all competition minis are auctioned off for charity on Saturday night at the Gen Con Auction. No ticket required for this event.
Speed Painting Sponsors
MHE Program Sponsor
Aces of Painting Sponsors
Saturday, 7 pm
ICC: 2nd Floor Serpentine
Competition Sponsors
Miniatures Hobby Events (MHE)
Miniatures Painting Competition
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Entry Dropoff
Thursday, noon – 5 pm
Friday, 10 am – 6 pm
Entry Pickup
Saturday, 7 pm – 9 pm
Sunday, 10 am – 3 pm
Featuring a $1000 cash prize for “BEST IN SHOW”, ribbons, and trophies! Check at the MHE HQ table for further competition information or scan the QR code above. Entry fee is two generic tickets.
Paint and Take
Thursday – Saturday, 10 am – 6 pm
Sunday, 10 am – 3 pm
A free, walk-up event — you’ll be given a miniature to keep, paints and brushes to use, and friendly instruction if you need help! Note that this event does not have tickets; it is first come, first served.
and Take Sponsors
Paint
A Full Day Dedicated To Professional Growth, Hands-On Training, Industry Insights, Networking, and B2B Opportunities
Held on Wednesday, the program is designed to provide hands-on training, networking, and professional development opportunities with a focus on using games as tools for specific needs within the Trade Day audience.
Anyone with a 2026 Trade Day badge can attend. The Trade Day program is open to adults 18 and older.
Trade Day Events
Trade Day programming encompasses over 70 trade-focused events, including these highlights:
• Cosplay for High School Students (TRD26ND303770)
• Gaming Events for Non-Gamers (TRD26ND307055)
• Marketing on a Shoestring Budget (TRD26ND310872)
• Making Room at the Table: Fostering Inclusive Play (TRD26ND310599)
• Teaching Game-Based Learning for Engineering Courses (TRD26ND314563)
• Demo Games That Build Communication (TRD26ND321141)
• Live Play at Your Library (TRD26ND302562)
• Global Insights for Hobby Retail Success (TRD26ND320970)
Trade Day offers opportunities to learn from adjacent fields of study. Check out these events to enhance your professional development goals:
• Building a Gaming Community (TRD25ND287732)
• Emergence: A Theoretical & Practical Approach To Games-Based Transformation (TRD25ND272959)
• Play Fair — Creating Equitable Experiences (TRD25ND278259)
Scan the QR code for the most up-to-date information on Trade Day events.
Trade Day At a Glance Day + Time Wednesday 9 am – 9:30 pm
Location JW: 1st & 2nd Floors
Trade Day Marketplace 10 am – 5 pm JW: 1st Floor
Trade Day HQ Wednesday 8 am – 4 pm
Located on the 2nd floor near the skywalk
Carolyn Noe
(TRD26ND320682)
Carolyn Noe, EdD , is the founder of Super Heroines, Etc., a nonprofit organization that uses the power of fandom to build inclusive communities and advocate for equity and representation. Through creative programming rooted in comics, gaming, and pop culture, she creates welcoming spaces for women, girls, and people of underrepresented genders to connect, lead, and tell their stories.
Learn more about Super Heroines, Etc. here, and follow them on Instagram @superheroinesetc to keep up with their events. Find Carolyn and our other charity partners located on the first floor of the ICC, near Hoosier Concourse.
Featured Events
Keynote: Games Are the Glue
Presented by Carolyn Noe Games serve as powerful tools for growth, social connection, and community partnerships by leveraging the strengths of the Trade Day audience while also fostering collaboration between them.
Wednesday, 9 am
JW: White River Ballroom E
Demo Night & Social Mixer (TRD26ND320684)
This culminating event, which is part showcase, part networking, and part social mixing, is a great way to end your 2026 Trade Day experience.
Wednesday, 7 – 9:30 pm
JW: Grand Ballroom 5
Sponsored by
All Trade Day events are free; you must have a 2026 Trade Day badge to attend.
Trade Day Marketplace
The Trade Day Marketplace is a great B2B opportunity to demo games and products that meet your specific needs whether that be the classroom, therapeutic sessions, library, FLGS, or just for fun! It’s a great opportunity to meet and talk to the publishers about their lines and how it can work for your particular needs.
10 am – 5 pm
JW: 1st Floor
Participating Companies
Flagbearer Games
Central Michigan University
FanRoll
Rising Empire Studios
Horrible Guild
Bridge Distribution
Cube Woodworking
Academy Games
Geek Therapeutics
Chooseco
Kingswood Games
Gameology
CyberRoll
The Story Engine Group
Companies subject to change/cancellation. You must have a 2026 Trade Day badge to access the Trade Day Marketplace.
Welcome to the Game Design Academy!
Go from inspiration to innovation in immersive learning experiences led by game design academics and industry profssionals.
Attendees can engage in hands-on workshops, insightful seminars, networking opportunities, and practical skill-building sessions designed to equip aspiring and experienced designers alike with the tools they need to pursue their game design journey.
Game Design Academy (GDA) has two tracks, based on the level of interest and commitment — the Student or Explorer.
The Explorer Track offers a flexible introduction to game design, while the Student Track provides a structured curriculum for aspiring game designers, with a certificate awarded upon completion.
To learn more about these tracks and Game Design Academy, scan the QR code on this page.
Events
Game Design Academy has over 70 events offering a wide breadth of information about game design. Some events are curated by Gen Con, while others are offered by individuals and/or companies in the industry. All events are guaranteed to be of interest to any level of game designer.
Faculty / Event Hosts
Thank you to the following companies for their generous donations to the program:
• Crystal Caste
• London Pendragon
• Panda
• Red Bull
• The Game Crafter
Learn more
Gen Con is pleased to welcome the following game industry academics and professionals. We thank them for sharing their incredible knowledge, expertise, and event programming.
Danielle Reynolds
Timothy Blank
James Ernest
Daryl Andrews
Ariel Didier
Jennifer Graham-Macht
Cory Heald
Jesse Anderson
Ben Rosset
Emily Vincent
David Takitaki
Eric Zimmerman
Morgan Dontanville
Andrew D. Devenney
Matt Fantastic
Eric Perrott
Kaity Bequette
Jonathan Truitt
Jay Cormier
Nathan Weisman
Dave Beck
Elizabeth Hargrave
Game Design Academy Coordinators
Meet the coordinators whose insight, dedication, and hard work have been instrumental in bringing this program to life:
Kathleen Mercury, M.A.T, M.E.T
An award-winning teacher and designer, Kathleen Mercury has been pushing the boundaries of using design thinking to merge game design and instruction from elementary to collegiate levels for over 20 years. Currently a Lecturer in the School of Education at California Polytechnic Humboldt teaching and works as a games-based learning experience designer. Kathleen is a published tabletop game designer with Greece Lightning (2021) and upcoming title Tulip Season.
Get Exclusive Updates on Game Design Academy
Scan the QR code to sign up for our exclusive email newsletter to get updates right to your inbox!
Andrew Peterson, PhD
Andrew is the Director of Educational Technology and Adjunct Professor of Game Design at Ferris State University. He is a passionate educator and game designer with experience in games-based learning and tabletop game design. Andrew has guided students through the creative process of designing, prototyping, and producing their own games. His expertise bridges the worlds of education and gaming, leveraging the power of games to create engaging and impactful learning experiences.
Thank You!
Gen Con would like to thank Kathleen and Andrew for their unwavering effort, commitment, and generosity in developing this program. This initiative simply wouldn’t exist without their vision and passion. We are profoundly grateful. And thanks to Amy for keeping us all on track!
The Diana Jones Award Program
Read more about the history of The Diana Jones Award program on the Gen Con blog:
The Diana Jones Award for Excellence in Gaming celebrates the best in gaming, including game systems, supplements, magazines, companies, designers, events, and conventions. The award winner is announced annually during Gen Con. The Diana Jones team would like to thank the sponsors, board members, and community volunteers who come together every year to make this possible.
The 2026 finalists are:
Mischief Toy Store
Molly House
Price Johnson
Rob Weiland Trench Crusade
Ready to find out who won the award? Follow Diana Jones Award on BlueSky @dianajonesaward.org for announcements and updates!
The Diana Jones Award committee is excited to announce this year’s three winners and finalists for the Diana Jones Emerging Designer Program, which is in its fifth year!
Glaiza (siya/them) is a Filipino-American third culture kid with cultural experiences from Brunei, Cambodia, the Philippines, and Korea. They are a game designer, writer, performer, podcaster, and variety streamer who’s made their home in tabletop roleplaying games. Glaiza’s games include Beef, Missing Month, and Meet Your GelCub. Their passion is in storytelling—not just the big world-impacting stories, but the smaller, intimate ones as well. Learn more about Glaiza at classicaladventuresfor.on
Kodi (they/them) is a TTRPG designer based in Los Angeles, CA, who began designing their first game, a slightly disastrous one, in 2018. They’ve since created multiple games, including Extra Ordinary, Misfits & Mayhem SRD, Down the Road Through the End of the World, Voxinn: A Firebrands Hack, and In This Echoing World. Kodi is also a creative writer, actual play performer, Big Bad Con POC Scholar, former IGDN convention coordinator, and cat lover. Learn more about Kodi’s work at kodigonzaga.com
J Strautman (they/them), aka Yes No Goodbye, is a Toronto-based RPG designer, professional musician, and award-winning podcaster. They’ve released two zine-sized games: Contact and Insatiable Cravings, both GMless and monstrous leaning, and co-released A Fool’s Errand under Planet Arcana Games in 2025. They tour the world as a professional bass player, and have co-hosted, scored, and edited Planet Arcana, a tarot-infused science fantasy actual play. Keep up with J’s work at yesnogoodbye.ca
This year’s finalists included Annabel Lee Journey, Connie Vogelmann, Elijah Djan, and Gene Koo. The program accepts nominations at the beginning of each calendar year—scan the QR code to visit the website and learn more!
Glaiza Champion
Kodi Gonzaga
J Strautman
Award Ceremonies
The 2026 ENNIE Awards
Cocktail Reception & Silent Auction
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Friday, 6 pm – 8 pm, Union Station Grand Hall
Awards
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Friday, 8 pm –11 pm, Union Station Grand Hall
The ENNIE Awards (the “ENNIES”) are an annual fan-based celebration of excellence in tabletop roleplaying gaming.
The Dice Tower Awards
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Thursday, 7 pm – 9 pm
ICC: 500 Ballroom
The 19th Annual Dice Tower awards will be presented live by the Dice Tower team and friends! Join us for a live show and congratulate the winners of fourteen different awards. Which board games have the best art, the best production, best strategy, best expansion, and more? Tom Vasel and Eric Summerer along with the Dice Tower staff will be hosting and announcing the best games of 2025, as voted on by a myriad of board game reviewers and podcasters. Come join us for skits, hilarity, and a celebration of the best of 2025.
Gen Con Painting Competition Awards Ceremony
MHE26ND300907
Saturday, 7 pm – 9 pm
ICC: 2nd floor Serpentine Lobby
Art Show
Since the early 90s, the Gen Con Art Show has showcased some of the most talented and influential artists in the fantasy, sci-fi, comics, horror, and gaming genres. At the Art Show, you can meet industry legends and upcoming new artists, find the perfect gift for the art enthusiast in your life,
Attending Art Show Artists
Featured Artists
Deb JJ Lee
Deb JJ Lee is a Society of Illustrators Gold Medalist based in Brooklyn, New York. They are known for their bold and meticulous illustrations with their most recent recognition as one of Adweek’s Creative 100 in 2025. Earlier this year, they made special-edition covers for the Percy Jackson series “Heroes of Olympus”.
A maximalist first and human second, Deb has a penchant for making sense of clutter, detail, and body language into lush unique compositions, patterns, and bold color palettes to communicate the right emotion. They are also the creator of the Eisnernominated graphic novel, “In Limbo”, published by First Second in 2023. View their portfolio at debleeart.com
Rob Rey
Rob Rey creates art of science and the cosmic perspective to help us feel a sense of awe and wonder with the universe, as well as a sense of belonging and connection with each other. His art focuses on how the natural world can be a source of meaning and ‘spirituality’ while remaining grounded in science. Since graduating from the Rhode Island School of Design with a BFA in illustration, Rob has become an award-winning artist in several national fine art and illustration competitions. His illustration clients include Magic: The Gathering, Dungeons & Dragons, Upper Deck, and Penguin Books.
Sarah Finnigan
Sarah Finnigan is a Texas-based artist who paints landscapes that carry fingerprints people leave behind, to tell a story of what places mean to us. Her inspiration is built on a youth spent getting lost in adventure games and exploring in the woods.
She infuses her work with fantastical elements to spark curiosity and the desire to explore. Sarah’s work is achieved through a glazing technique to create luminous acrylic paintings. Her work can be found in games and books, most prominently on Magic: The Gathering cards.
Authors Avenue
Authors Avenue is a dedicated section of the Exhibit Hall for independent authors and small press publishers of fiction who work in the fantasy, sci-fi, horror, military, or anime genres. These chosen authors will showcase and discuss their works in historical fantasy, urban fantasy, children’s adventure, LGBTQIA+, steampunk, and much more.
Stop by to meet your favorite author or discover a new literary world to explore!
Authors
Amy Allworden
Author Ray Wenck
Brady J. Sadler
Chris A. Jackson
Christopher Bair
Christopher D. Schmitz
Darby Harn
Doug Bedwell
H. T. Brady
Ingrid Seymour
Intisar Khanani
Isaac Crowe
James Maxey
JC Kang
Jess Galaxie
JW Troemner
K.R. Gastreich
Katika Schneider
Laura VanArendonk Baugh
Lynette Bacon-Nguyen
M.L. Wang
Mike Shel
R. Litfin
Richard C. White
Richard Fierce
S.A. McClure
Sewn Together Reflections
Tatiana Obey
The Sci-Fi Gals
Tiffany Rose Nickel
gencon.com for updates to this list.
30 Years of Celebrating Storytelling
The Writers Symposium provides a multi-day experience in which attendees can come together as an inclusive community to develop their craft and expand their creativity. Come celebrate the many facets of fiction in gaming and writing with us!
Coffee Klatch:
Sunday, noon
Marriott Boston
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At a Glance
Where
Second Floor of Downtown Marriott
When
Thursday – Sunday
Schedule
Special Guests
Tananarive Due
Tananarive Due (tah-nah-nah-REEVE doo) is an award-winning author and UCLA professor whose acclaimed Black horror and Afrofuturism works include The Reformatory, The Good House, and My Soul to Keep. She has written for The Twilight Zone, executive produced Horror Noire, and co-hosts Lifewriting with Steven Barnes. Learn more at tananarivedue.com
Steven Barnes
NY Times bestselling author Steven was born in Los Angeles, California, and lives there with his wife Tananarive and son Jason. The author of over 30 novels, he has written for film and television, created the whole-life rehab system warrior-walk.com, and has coached thousands through his various programs. Learn more about Steven at stevenbarnes.com
Special Guests
Signing:
Friday, 3 pm
Authors Avenue
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In Conversation with Special Guests:
Saturday, 1 pm
Marriott Ballroom 4
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Full listing of events can be found through Gen Con’s event search by filtering for Writers Symposium in the Compan/Group field.
Event Spotlight
Network
The Gathering
Find the prospect of networking daunting? Join professionals and fans alike for a low stakes evening of mingling, entertainment, and fun. Sponsored by the Ray Bradbury Center and Writing Excuses.
Thursday, 8 pm
Marriott Ballroom 3&4
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D&D with Authors: To Publish & Perish!
Long-time DM Gregory A. Wilson leads Symposium authors through a one-shot D&D session, building on previous live events; watch your favorite writers roll dice and roleplay in this interactive TTRPG!
Friday, 7 pm
Marriott Ballroom 4
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Featured Guests
Justina Ireland
Justina Ireland is the award winning and New York Times bestselling author of numerous books, including Dread Nation, Deathless Divide, Rust in the Root and Ophie’s Ghosts. Justina is also the author of a number of Star Wars books and has written comics for Boom!, IDW, Dark Horse, and Marvel. In her spare time she writes for television. Learn more about Justina at justinaireland.com
In Conversation:
Saturday, 3 pm
Marriott Ballroom 4
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In Conversation:
Saturday, 2 pm
Marriott Ballroom 4
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Coffee Klatch: Sunday, 11 am Marriott Boston
Kwame Mbalia
Kwame is the author of Tristan Strong, co-author of Last Gate of The Emperor with Prince Joel Makonnen, and the editor of Black Boy Joy. He is a Publisher at Freedom Fire with Disney Books. Learn more about Kwame at kwamembalia.com
2026 Featured Panelists
Learn more about the writers and our featured panelists. Scan the QR code.
Exhibit Hall Signings
(Authors Avenue)
Thursday
C. S. E. Cooney
Jim C. Hines & Jonathan Janz
David A. Rodriguez & Demetrius Witherspoon
George Jreije & Richard Dansky
Friday 11 am Matt Dinniman
pm Bryan Young & Erin M. Evans
pm Danian Darrell Jerry & Sheree Renée Thomas
3 pm Tananarive Due & Steven Barnes
4 pm Brandon O’Brien & Bryan Thao Worra
5 pm Justina Ireland & Kwame Mbalia
Saturday
11 am Mary Robinette Kowal & Scott Lynch
1 pm Brian Keene & Mary Sangiovani
2 pm Kelli Fitzpatrick & Tim Waggoner
3 pm Kameron Hurley & Lamar Giles
4 pm Erik Scott de Bie, Gini Koch, & J. B. Garner
Coffee Klatches (Downtown Marriott)
Thursday 11 am Morgan Wilson 1 pm Brady McReynolds
2 pm Diana Pho
3 pm Oriana Leckert
4 pm Matt Forbeck
5 pm Arley Sorg
Friday
10 am Pitch an Agent in the Round with Gabrielle Harbowy 11 am C. S. E. Cooney and Johannah Simon
1 pm Michael A. Stackpole
2 pm Tim Waggoner and Stephen Kozeniewski
3 pm Kelli Fitzpatrick and James A. Hunter
4 pm Sheree Renée Thomas
5 pm Richard Dansky and Brandon O’Brien
Saturday
10 am Gregory A. Wilson and Richard Lee Byers
11 am Jason Sanford and David A. Rodriguez
1 pm Shveta Thakrar and Katherine Monasterio
2 pm Monica Valentinelli and J. B. Garner
3 pm Erin Roberts
4 pm Daniel Myers and Bryan Thao Worra
5 pm Erin M. Evans and Danni Williams
Costume Contest
Join Us for the 40th Annual Gen Con Costume Contest
Bring your best cosplay or grab a seat and cheer on fellow fans. The Costume Contest celebrates the creativity, craftsmanship, and imagination that makes Gen Con unforgettable.
You’ll find the Costume Contest on the Main Stage (ICC: 500 Ballroom) at 4 pm on Saturday. For spectators, the Costume Contest is a free, ticketed event. Attendees without tickets may be seated if space allows, but priority is given to those with tickets. A valid Gen Con 2026 badge is required for entry.
Can’t make it to the show? No worries! The Costume Contest will be livestreamed and made available by VOD on our Gen Con Live YouTube channel at youtube.com/@GenConStream.
Sponsored By
Saturday Timetable
9 am
Deadline to drop entries at the Information Booth.
9:30 am – 1:30 pm
Costume Contest Check-In
500 Ballroom Reception
Contest entries will not be accepted after check-in has closed.
3:05 pm – 3:45 pm
Costume Parade
3:30 pm
Pre-Show Entertainment
3:45 pm
Contestants report to line up for the Costume Contest.
4 pm
Costume Contest begins!
Costume Contest
Contestant Info
Registration
Registering in advance is highly recommended. The costume contest is limited to 70 entries. If any category receives 14 entries, that category will be closed. Entries will be accepted on a first come, first entered basis. When the contest reaches capacity, a waiting list will be created. Entries on the waiting list will be admitted to the contest if a registered entry drops out or does not appear at check-in.
To register, first read the rules, then print and fill out the form linked in the QR code or ask for a form at the Information Booth in the Main Concourse. This form does not register you for Gen Con — only the costume contest. A valid Gen Con badge and two generic tickets will be required when you sign in at Costume Contest Check-In.
An emcee introduction is REQUIRED! submit a short introduction for yourself that you would like the emcee to read as you appear on stage. Type or handwrite it (neatly) and attach it to your entry form. This is your chance to impress the judges; include a description of the construction of your costume. This description is limited to 100 words. Gen Con reserves the right to edit material.
On-site entries: If you register on site, fill out the entry form (your introduction for the emcee must be attached and typed or neatly written) and drop it in the “Costume Contest Entry” box located at the Information Booth in the Main Concourse by 9 am on Saturday. If you miss this deadline, come directly to Costume Contest Check-In (500 Ballroom Reception) and staff will determine if there is room for you.
Contestant check-in: All contestants must appear at contest check-in. Mailing or dropping an entry form reserves a space for you, but you are not
Contest Basics
Costume entries may be simple walk-onand-pivot displays or may involve a short presentation. Performances are limited to two minutes. You may perform your own speech, drama, song, or other skill, or you can simply model while our emcee narrates text that you provide. Either way, the emphasis of judging is on the costumes.
Contest Rules & Entry Form
Costume Contest
Costume Categories
Choose a category for your costume and check it on the entry form. If your costume fits multiple categories, pick the category you prefer. We will review your costume at check-in to make sure you are in the right category. Categories may be closed depending on the number of entries.
• Fantasy / Historical: Wizards, barbarians, pixies, mermaids, warriors, Renaissance citizens, etc.
• Game Characters: Video games, board games, roleplaying games, etc.
• Pop Culture: Robots, aliens, spaceship pilots, heroes, villains, etc.
• Professional: To keep the contest fair, you must enter the Professional category if you meet any of the following criteria, regardless of your age:
1. You are a past first-place winner of a Gen Con costume contest or other major costume contest TWICE within the past five years.
2. Your costume was constructed by a professional in the garment or costume industry, whether it was you or someone else.
3. Your costume was constructed by someone who earns the majority of their living in the construction of costumes or clothing.
4. First-place winners in the child category will be evaluated for the Professional category on a case-by-case basis. Costumes made by adults will be moved to the Professional category. Children who make their own costumes may be allowed to remain in the Child category.
• Child: Ages 0–13, all costume types
• Groups: Teams of two or more costumers.
• Potluck: Anything not mentioned above!
Awards and prizes will be presented for the following special categories:
• Best In Show
• Staff Favorite
Costume Parade
The parade is a great way to gather with fellow cosplayers and show off your cosplay creativity at Gen Con! Anyone in costume may join the parade anywhere along the route listed below. Parade participants will assemble outside Hall A at 3 pm.
Contestants: The parade is encouraged but optional; contest judging will not consider parade participation.
Parade Route
The parade begins outside Hall A.
Enters Hall A traveling through the length of the Event Hall.
The parade will then exit through Hall D
The parade continues north along the Crossroads Concourse, exiting outside the doors to the Westin.
A sharp right turn on Maryland Street through the Maryland Street Motor Lobby.
Another right turn at the corner of Capitol Avenue.
The parade ends at the Georgia
Need a Break From the Crowds of the Exhibit Hall? Join Filmmakers From Around the World as They Share Their
Visions
The Gen Con Film Festival presents films that are inspiring, thrilling, suspenseful, and hilarious. Grab a seat and experience a different side of Gen Con.
Feature Films
Game Changers - REDUX
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Two former esports legends working at a failing IT company plan to break back into the gaming circuit and reclaim their status as pro gamers.
Thursday, 10 am Westin Capitol III
Rowe’s Realm
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Horror - When Army vet Daniel takes a job at a legendary Halloween haunt, cheap thrills turn deadly as strange accidents blur performance and reality, revealing something far darker behind the masks.
Thursday, 9 pm Westin Capitol III
The Demonatrix
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Horror - A Mexican priest helps his dominatrix neighbor after she accidentally summons an incubus demon. Starring Doug Bradley, Larry Fessenden, Hannah Fierman, and Nivek Ogre.
Thursday, 10:30 pm Westin Capitol III
Game On
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“Game On” follows Brenda Romero as she balances game design, family life, and the challenges of creativity, leadership, and belogning in the gaming world.
Thursday, 10 am Westin Capitol III
Sisters of the Shattered Moon
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Sci-fi, Thriller - When a teen uncovers corruption in her utopian cloud city, she’s exiled to a nightmarish underworld and rallies allies to save her sisters from tyrannical overlords.
Thursday, 1:30 pm Westin Capitol III
Film
Satellite Gaming Documentary
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A filmmaker’s journey trying to remain afloat and healthy in the liminal space between projects... while the voices in his head steadily become louder.
Thursday, 10 am Westin Capitol III
Cat Cam
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Horror - When two cat owners decide to put up pet cameras in their new home while they’re away on a trip, they soon make a terrifying discovery as to why their cat has been acting so strange.
Saturday, 10 pm Westin Capitol III
JourneyQuest 4
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Fantasy - After a deadly quest, an adventuring party awakens in a corrupted afterlife ruled by Death. One overlooked bard must confront their lies and break free from the eternal prison.
Saturday, 5:30 pm Westin Capitol III
Halcyon Daze: The Final
Voyages of Disney’s Star Wars Galactic Starcruise
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Director Carrie Coaplen’s journey from casual fan to obsession with Disney’s shortlived interactive theater experience, the Halcyon. As it may dock forever, fans and cast reflect on its magic.
Thursday, 10 am Westin Capitol III
The Gamers: Dorkness Falls
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Fantasy - The Gamers: Dorkness Falls concludes the trilogy as The Shadow pulls the players into the game world. Without powers or levels, can they survive, uncover his plans, and find their way home?
Thursday, 10 am Westin Capitol III
Keep the Lights On
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Actual Play - Four friends’ relaxing trip to the Pennsylvania woods turns terrifying when something horrible emerges from the dark, revealed in the shadows of a campfire horror story.
Sunday, 11 am Westin Capitol III
Voidance
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Sci-fi - To join the elite ATIC Guard, Alana must stop a terrorist attack in a deadly space bar simulation. As innocent deaths reset the program, she uncovers dark truths about ATIC and questions her loyalty.
Saturday, 8 pm Westin Capitol III
Independent Series
12 Sided Die — Sidequests
V - X
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Gamer - Curtis’ adventures at various points in the “12 Sided Die” time line. Some serious, some comedic, some even pertinent. But all completely Curtis.
Saturday, 10 am Westin Capitol III
Short Films
Fantasy Short Film Block
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A selection of short Fantasy films: Dungeon of Deceit: Dragon and Me: Prologue, Las Cosas Que Brillan, Mintrix and the Elven Figurine, Live Long, Bonno Eversong and the Day the Music Died, Knights & Relationships, inthebalance... wanting
Thursday, 3:30 pm
Westin Capitol III
Comedy Short Film Block
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A selection of short Comedy films: Truth Detector: Family Therapy, Mr. Anarchy & the Perfect Girl, Mr. Piano Man, Waiting for Bigfoot, ScrabbleTown, Employee of the Year, Kept Away
Friday, 2 pm
Westin Capitol III
Illuminagents Season 3
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Sci-fi - As enemy Organization 113 closes in, Agent Nasmith Jones must watch his partner Nara for signs of betrayal. Across episodes, they face system failures, old friends on the run, and a final showdown.
Sunday, 10 am Westin Capitol III
Gamer Short Film Block
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A selection of short films related to Games, Gamers, and Gaming: 2081, Total Party Kill, GRIMDARK, and Game On
Friday, noon Westin Capitol III
Thriller Short Film Block
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A selection of short Thriller films: Naughty and Nice, MIDNIGHT CITY, The Gnawer of Rocks, Double, Enjoy Your Stay, Bodies of Water, The Most Delicious Game, Call of Nature
Friday, 4 pm
Westin Capitol III
Short Films
Horror Short Film Block
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Horror Short Films: The Sanctity, Relax, Quiet Tonight, Blind Date, Holly,
You’re Not Safe, It’s Not Haunted, Pop, Broken Furnace, Wisp, VOLATILE
Friday, 7:30 pm Westin Capitol III
Gen Con Film Festival Awards Ceremony
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Celebrate with our talented filmmakers! Awards for Best Feature, Ovid Award, Best Short, Best Web Series, Best Animated, Gamer, Documentary, Fantasy, Sci-fi, Horror, Fan Film, Comedy films, and the Capstone Award for Best Student Film
Thursday, 8 pm Westin Capitol III
Supernatural Short Film Block
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A selection of short Thriller films: Naughty and Nice, MIDNIGHT CITY, The Gnawer of Rocks, Double, Enjoy Your Stay, Bodies of Water, The Most Delicious Game, Call of Nature
Saturday, 11 am Westin Capitol III
Sci-fi Short Film Block
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A selection of short Sci-fi films: King vs. Kong, Doctor Ignatius Speculo in “Sayonara Ex Machina Monster Bikini”, REDUX 2025, Battle Of LA, SKY GUYS, Star Wars : Gratis, The Way the World Ends, Space Chai, She Fell From Space, Wished Upon A Star, Rebel Storm: A Star Wars Collateral Story, Penguins in Space
Saturday, 1 pm Westin Capitol III
Film Panels
Find out what happens behind the camera and lights. Join our filmmakers as they share their experiences bringing the magic to the screen.
Film Pre-Production Panel
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Thursday, 2 pm
Westin Council
Film Budget and Finance Panel
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Thursday, 2 pm Westin Council
Film Animation Panel
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Thursday, 3:30 pm
Westin Counci
Filmmaker Meet & Greet
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Friday, 10 am
Westin Council
What Film Festivals Want Panel
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Thursday, 5 pm
Westin Council
Filmmaker Meet & Greet
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Friday, 10 am
Westin Council
Film Script Writing Panel
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Friday, noon
Westin Council
Acting for Film Panel
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Friday, 1:30 pm
Westin Council
Life on Set, Shooting Your Film Without Getting Shot
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Friday, 3 pm
Westin Council
Directing Film Panel
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Friday, 4:30 pm
Westin Council
AI and Film Panel
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Friday, 6 pm
Westin Council
Producing an Independent Film Panel
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Saturday, 10 am
Westin Council
Female Filmmakers Panel
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Saturday, 11:30 am
Westin Council
Promoting Your Film
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Saturday, 1 pm
Westin Council
Film Post-Production Panel
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Saturday, 2:30 pm
Westin Council
VFX Panel
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Saturday, 4 pm
Westin Council
Enjoy Entertainment All Weekend With a Mix of Concerts, Live Plays, Comedy, and More
If you’re looking for a break from a busy day in the Exhibit Hall or a way to kick off your night, get ready for an unforgettable showcase of talent on stage at Gen Con!
View all entertainment events
Dungeons and Bingo!
Back for the 5th year at Gen Con, this chaotic, audience-driven live table play combines tabletop tropes, ridiculousness, and relentless interaction into one unforgettable show. Prepare for the perfect blend of Dungeons & Dragons meets Bingo in a one-shot campaign!
Thursday - Saturday, 6 pm
JW Grand Ballroom 3-4
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Dragons, Dice, and Divas: A Dragventure Extravaganza Drag, dice, and dazzling performances! Our queens embark on a live RPG adventure, battling monsters and serving fierce drag numbers, all led by the legendary Dungeon Daddy and percussion; its activity is fluid and involves many innovative combinations of this core instrumentation.
Friday, 9 pm
Main Stage (ICC 500 Ballroom)
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CHARACTER SHEET, LIVE!
An all-star cast of comedians takes YOUR suggestions to forge a complete character and improvise a thrilling adventure. Tragic backstory, Tavern brawls, Heroic destiny. It will be absolutely epic!
Thursday, 6 pm
Union Station Grand Hall
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Call of Cthulhu Improv With Ross Bryant
Keeper Ross Bryant leads a cast of performers through a completely improvised descent into cosmic horror where every bad idea makes things worse — and that’s half the fun!
Saturday, 10 am
JW Grand Ballroom 7- 8
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FABULA ULTIMA is a Tabletop Roleplaying Game inspired by Japanese-style console RPGs, or JRPGs.
THIS IS YOUR WORLD, THIS IS YOUR STORY.
Reality is a lie. You are the glitch. Hack the multiverse. Rewrite the rules. Burn the system.The Breach a cyberpunk RPG where you don’t break into systems. You break reality.
Legends Society Presents: Elder Flower Power with Pointy Hat, Ginny Di & Friends
An eccentric and VERY rich gourmet has hired the services of the famous society of intrepid adventurers. Pointy Hat and Ginny Di invite you to join the Legends Society in a deliciously cooking-themed adventure!
Saturday, 4 pm
Second Stage (Westin Grand Ballroom V)
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Roving Entertainers
Jacques Ze Whipper and Paolo Garbanzo Tag Team Extravaganza
What happens when a world famous whipper and Gen Con’s favorite juggling jester team up for a show? Chaos and mayhem are on the schedule for this extraordinary team-up of comedy and circus skills.
Thursday, 3 pm & 6 pm
Second Stage (Westin Grand)
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An Evening With Legends of Avantris!
The Legends of Avantris cast and crew take the stage to discuss all things Avantris — past and current campaigns, updates and announcements, working as TTRPG creators/designers, and more!
Saturday, 4 pm
JW Grand Ballroom 7- 8
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The soundtrack to the Best Four Days in Gaming!™ Catch our Roving Entertainers performing in the halls all Gen Con long.
2026 Performers:
Chris Ivanovich
Dan the Bard
Il Troubadore
Indy Swords and Shimmies
The Irish Bard
Marc Gunn
Ogham
Paolo Garbonzo
Learn more about them here:
If you’re in Indy or watching at home, you won’t want to miss this year’s lineup of amazing shows streamed live from Gen Con! Fans from around the world can stay connected with daily updates, Exhibit Hall walkthroughs, and exclusive onstage entertainment. Subscribe to the official Gen Con YouTube channel to catch anything you missed after the show.
Gen Con Final Lap!
Join Ruel Gaviola and special guests as they recap their favorite games and gems from The Best Four Days in Gaming!
Gen Con Presents
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Kick off The Best Four Days in Gaming™ with extra special guests, some surprise announcements, and more as we get a glimpse of the weekend ahead!
Good Morning Society x Gen Con
Hosts Ruel and Bailey share what they are most excited about for the upcoming weekend in this special edition of Good Morning Society live from Gen Con 2026!
Don’t miss your daily check-in with hosts Elisa, Josh, and special guests as they chat about the best bits of Gen Con!
Friday - Sunday, noon youtube.com/@GenConStream Gen Con POV
POV: You’re at Gen Con! We’ll give you a con-goer’s-eye view as we show off all there is to see at Gen Con 2026.
Friday, 11 am and 3:30 pm
Saturday, 10:30 am and 2:30 pm Sunday, 12:30 pm
youtube.com/@GenConStream
Main Stage: ICC 500 Ballroom
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Join Matt Mercer, Spenser Starke, Rowan Hall, Elise Rezendes, and more for an exclusive look at Daggerheart: Hope & Fear, the next tabletop roleplaying game expansion from Darrington Press!
Thursday, noon youtube.com/@GenConStream
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See the official D&D TV show LIVE with a cast of TTRPG celebrities! A fast, funny D&D-meets-improv comedy show where everyone dies in the end.
Saturday, 7 pm youtube.com/@GenConStream Rhys Darby and Steve Wrigley in Dungeons
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Be amazed by the interactive 3D Dwarven Forge dungeon, entertained by a wonderful panel of celebrity guests, thrilled by expert game master, Alphinius Goo, AND...compete for a share of thousands of dollars in prizes!
Friday, 9 am youtube.com/@GenConStream
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DM Steve Wrigley takes his old mate, actor Rhys Darby, along with his amazing imagination and astounding ability to inhabit characters and puts them through a classic D&D adventure for the first time live on stage!
Saturday, noon youtube.com/@GenConStream
Actual Play: A New Era of World of Darkness
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Glimpse into the future of the World of Darkness in this live, in-progress TTRPG Actual Play(test) where you’ll watch as the game becomes what it’s meant to be. Join a cast of familiar faces as we step into the brand new Vampire: The Masquerade project together.
Sunday, 1 pm
youtube.com/@GenConStream
Disney Lorcana TCG Celebrates 3 Years with Cooperative Gameplay Demo
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Four Illumineers play Disney Lorcana TCG live casting glimmers of Disney’s Winnie the Pooh characters reimagined as a party of brave adventurers in a dynamic cooperative gameplay session that will have the audience cheering on the adventurers and jeering the obstacle deck!
Thursday, 10 am youtube.com/@GenConStream
Change My Mind Live!
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Change My Mind Live returns with three new editions, louder, wilder, and more unhinged than ever. Jaws will drop. Chaos will reign. Debating is mandatory.
Friday, 7 pm
youtube.com/@GenConStream
The Storyteller Squad Live Show: Parks and Rex ENT26ND302495
The Storyteller Squad presents an actual play adventure set in Yellowstone National Park. A Monster of the Week one shot in their cozy modern fantasy setting full of cryptids, magic, and dinosaurs?
Saturday, 8 pm youtube.com/@GenConStream
Create, Move, Explore
Events Beyond Gaming
While Gen Con is The Home of Tabletop Gaming™, hundreds of events go far beyond gaming. These events engage the creative and curious spirit that make the tabletop hobby special. Events include crafting, exercise, dance, city tours, and more!
Discover a Different Side of Gen Con
Attend events that offer hands-on experiences that go beyond gaming. Explore crafting, a variety of creative workshops, fandom, and more.
Get Crafty in the FREE Open Crafting Room
Looking to try a new craft or be inspired? Visit the Open Crafting room (ICC: 208-209).
We have plenty of space and supplies to make what your heart desires!
Crafty helpers will periodically be in the room to help you level your crafting skill.
Supplemental Schedule
At a Glance
Open Crafting Room
Location
ICC: 208 -209
Day & Time
Thursday – Saturday 9 am – 9 pm
Sunday 9 am – 2 pm
Explore Indy
Get out and explore Indy! Brewery tours and haunted walking tours await you! Find these events by searching the SPA and “Isle of Misfits” categories for “tour” in the Event Catalog.
Move Your Body
After long days at gaming tables, moving and stretching out your body is essential! Whether you’re into running the Orc Stomp 5K, practicing yoga, dancing, or learning sword fighting techniques, we’ve got you covered. Find these events in the SPA category in the Event Catalog.
Workshop Schedule
Isle of Misfits Schedule
www.envyborngames.com
ONE HERO. TWELVE LABORS. ETERNAL GLORY. Face mythical beasts, overcome impossible trials, and harness divine power as you fight for your place among the gods.
Gold foiled cards combine to create epic illustrations!
FREE PROMO *With purchase while supplies last!
Roll the dice to move your adorable wooden cats into cozy boxes, collect toys, and feast on tasty treats. But BEWARE... cucumbers are out to ruin your day!
FREE PLUSHIE
*
*With bundle purchase. While supplies last!
GEN CON RELEASE!
The next chapter of the Confusing Lands series is here!
Draft cards, build breathtaking floating worlds, and outscore your rivals in this travel sized strategy game for 1-2 players. Combine with the original game for up to 4 players!
ZED The Isle of Misfit Events
Where Hidden Gems and Unique Finds Become Your Next Favorite Experience
We’ve listed just a sampling of ZED events on this page, but you’ll find all kinds of interesting events here, such as escape rooms, social deduction games, megagames, and unique events you won’t find anywhere else! Don’t overlook this category, as you never know what might turn up! Learn More
NSDM
The National Security Decision Making (NSDM) Game is a fastpaced, challenging simulation of contemporary politics and eternal strategic principles. It is modeled after the simulations used by senior U.S. Government officials.
Here’s the game in a nutshell: “You players are the Legislature. You over there, you’re the Cabinet. You folks in the corner are the military leadership. This guy’s the President. The scenario is: it’s the world as you know it today. Fix it. Start now.”
NSDM will have events throughout
Deceptively Social Gaming
Deception Alley: Play your favorite social deduction games with your friends! This year’s confirmed games include Are You A Werewolf?, Ultimate Werewolf, Witch Hunt, and Blood on the Clocktower!
Two Rooms and a Boom: Social hidden role game where one team’s bomber attempts to find the other team’s president. Hostages are exchanged between two rooms.
Thursday – Saturday, 6 pm – 2 am
ICC Wabash West Concourse
Indie Games on Demand Walk Up
Highlighting small press and independent RPGs. The event is organized by friendly volunteers and designers who will help you match your interests to a GM ready to go with an awesome game. Serves as a showcase for small press and independent games, such as Fiasco, Dungeon World, Mouse Guard, Lady Blackbird, Dresden Files, and many others.
Thursday – Saturday, 10 am – 8 pm Sunday, 10 am – noon
Westin Grand Ballroom 3
BoardGameGeek Hot Games
Cruise through BoardGameGeek’s (BGG) game library, featuring titles exclusively released from Gen Con 2025, and grab something that you’ve been itching to play. We’ll have guides on hand to assist you as much as we can.
Thursday – Saturday, 10 am – 10 pm Sunday, 10 am – 1 pm
Hyatt Regency Ballroom
Solo RPG Library
Choose from a variety of solo RPGs and start your morning with a quiet journey into your own mind.
Thursday – Saturday, 8 am – 10 am
Marriott Kentucky
Escape Rooms
Gather Your Party for the Ultimate Escape
Escape rooms are live-action, immersive puzzle games. They can vary in size: portable boxes, briefcases, and even entire rooms! For room-sized events, you and your friends get “locked” in a themed room (not really locked in, but the idea is that you’re trapped). The goal is to find secret clues, use your wits, dexterity, and a bit of luck to solve mysteries and “escape” before time runs out — usually 60 minutes. Grab your squad and get ready for an adrenaline rush!
The Escape Room USA
Escape Room USA returns with its dedicated year-round multi-room space and a variety of rooms running from morning to midnight in its premium location two blocks from the convention center! Events at their permanent location will run from Thursday through Sunday. Check them out!
Thursday - Saturday, 8:30 am - midnight
Sunday, 10:30 am - noon
The Escape Room USA - 200 S. Meridian St
Adventure Room Creations
ARC (formerly Pop Up Escape Rooms) returns to Gen Con with eight escape room scenarios, all with more exciting props and innovative puzzles from the mind of David Welch.
Thursday - Saturday, 8 amSunday, 8 am - 3 pm
midnight
Crowne Plaza Grand Central A-D
CGE (Czech Games Edition)
Role for Escape
As you settle in for another marathon RPG session, the door slams shut and suddenly, you are in the midst of a whole new adventure! Players will have 45 minutes to find all the clues and escape the room with a theme based on CODENAMES: Critical Role Adventures. Can you find the clues, solve the puzzles, and escape?
Thursday - Saturday, 9 am - 8 pm
Sunday, 9 am - 4 pm
ICC: Rooms 235 – 238 (Czech Games Room)
Co-Operatives
Players will be separated onto either side of a puzzle wall and must communicate to solve fun and challenging puzzles. With only half the information, every player is vital to your success! There’s a wide variety of puzzles and skill levels, all noted in the descriptions for each one.
Thursday - Saturday, 9 amSunday, 9 am - 3 pm
midnight
Stadium East Concourse
Electronic Gaming
The Sci-fi Adventure where your crew commands the bridge of a Starship! Outfit your vessel with upgrades provided by your Quartermaster to make your ship even stronger on one of multiple missions in a continuing storyline.
Thursday – Saturday, 9 am – 10 pm
Sunday, 9 am – 2 pm
Marriott: Ballroom 7 – 8
BY
Pinball Alley
Play more than 40 of the latest and greatest pinball machines from Jersey Jack Pinball, Stern, and other modern pinball manufacturers.
There will be limited-edition pinball trophies given away to the top player of each machine during Gen Con. Stop by anytime for an unforgettable pinball experience. Pinball Alley is open all Gen Con for non-stop pinball action!
Located in the Pedestrian Connector, right before Block Party
Presented by
PRESENTED
Mythric Events
Puppetry Program
The Gen Con Puppetry Program Returns With Workshops, Seminars, and Performances!
Puppets have been used for centuries to educate, entertain, and captivate audiences. We’re excited to explore puppetry with you! Whether you’re planning to laugh and be silly at Puppet Karaoke, learn to build in our workshops, or hit the nostalgia button in our seminars, we’re pulling out all the stops…and a few strings.
Featured Guest
Jennifer Barnhart
Jennifer Barnhart is an actor, singer, and voice-over artist, best known for her puppeteering.
She was an original Broadway company member, earning an Outer Critics Circle Award for the Tony Award-winning musical Avenue Q, where she created the role of Mrs. T/Bear.
Jennifer crafted the mama-lioness character Cleo on PBS’s Between the Lions, and she is an Emmy-nominated performer on Sesame Street, where she plays Zoe, Maggie Cadabby, Gladys the Cow, and Granny Bird, as well as the human role of Meredith, aka Charlie’s mom.
Additional notable credits in children’s television programming include Helpsters, Julie’s Greenroom with Julie Andrews, Johnny & the Sprites, and Bear in the Big Blue House. Further television appearances include Law & Order: SVU and Organized Crime, SNL, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, The Pause with Sam Jay, and House of Cards.
Late Night Puppet Slam (ENT26ND305694)
Quirky, edgy puppet shows from quirky, edgy puppeteers! Puppeteers from around the country are converging on Gen Con for The Best Four Days in Gaming™ — and puppetry! But here’s the best part: they’re saving up all of their adult material just for this puppet slam!
All of those things that we can’t do in front of kids? We’re going to do in front of you. (Okay maybe not *all* — but a bit of it!) Be prepared to laugh, to cry, to think, to gasp, to laugh again, to weep, and then laugh some more. You’ll see beauty, you’ll see talent, you’ll see silliness, and you’ll see hilarity.
Friday, 10 pm
Westin: Grand V
Jennifer also works as a “human” regionally, performing at The Arden, Goodspeed, and the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, where some of her favorite roles include Lady Macbeth, Goneril, and Mrs. Cratchitt.
In 2019, Jennifer debuted her solo cabaret, “It’s About Time!” at the Laurie Beechman Theatre in NYC. Her voiceover credits include animated series, award-winning educational apps, and Penguin/Random House audiobooks.
At a Glance
Day + Time
Events run through the weekend! Check the event catalog on gencon.com for the full schedule.
Location
Marriott: Indiana Ballroom E
Thank You, Event Team!
Gen Con Would Like To Thank Our Dedicated Team Of Captains,
Deputies, and Program Coordinators
Your passion and expertise make Gen Con special, and the convention couldn’t happen without you!
Program Coordinators
Art Show
Tinnell Lovitt
Auction
Fountaine and Team BIPOC Industry
Networking Event
Rina Amaranthine
Cardhalla
Steve Wagner and Team
Collective Art Project Mural
Kathleen Hardy
Costume Contest
Anne Brown and Team
Event Team Coordinator
Alesia Clardy
Film Festival
Chuck Budreau
Game Design Academy Coordinators
Kathleen Mercury, Andrew Peterson
Game Design Academy Admin
Amy Dorey
Games Library
Lending Library Logistics, Marissa Maile and Team
KID Program
Motley Kids and the Boersma Family
MHE
Lyn Orzech and Team
Puppetry Program
Stacey Gordon
Roving Entertainers
Bob Brinkman
Show Office Coordinator
Tiana McDaniel
Spa Open Crafting Coordinator
Rob Lambert
Streaming
Elisa Melendez
Trade Day
Faith Felice and Team
Writers Symposium
Maurice Broaddus
Captains
Join the Event Team in 2027
The Gen Con Event Team is vital to the magic of the show each year!
If you love Gen Con and want to dive deeper, join the Event Team and experience a whole new side of the convention — community, connection, and behind-the-scenes fun!
It takes all kinds of people to bring Gen Con to life — we welcome team members from all backgrounds, interests, and energy styles. Whether you’re energized by meeting new people or prefer helping behind the scenes, your strengths and perspective are valued on the Event Team!
