Gen Con, the largest tabletop gaming convention in North America, returns to Indianapolis this year from July 30 through Aug. 2. The organization said this year’s convention is sold out and there are no additional badges for sale.
Last year the annual event reported it brought nearly 72,000 people to downtown Indianapolis, with an estimated economic impact of $82 million.
This year, attendees will fill the downtown convention center, Lucas Oil Stadium and other locations for gaming sessions, nearly 800 vendors, about 28,000 ticketed events, writing and crafting workshops, and an annual costume contest and parade.
“We’re thrilled to be back in Indy for another sold-out edition of Gen Con,” Gen Con President David Hoppe said in a press release. “This year features new games, new event spaces including Victory Field, and new spectacle with a drone light show over downtown Indy. But above all, Gen Con 2026 means tens of thousands of gamers and fans having a great time in Indianapolis.”
Events in Victory Field include a 2,000 person meetup for fans of the popular "Dungeon Crawler Carl" book series with its author.
Gaming publisher Wizards of the Coast will host a 1,000-drone light show over downtown Indianapolis on Saturday at 10 p.m. And a Dungeons & Dragons takeover is coming to the Indiana Repertory Theater, as well as a Lord of the Rings-themed Magic: The Gathering event.
The convention is also partnering with two nonprofit organizations for its annual charity program: Super Heroines, Inc., which fights for equity and representation using fan power, and the Indianapolis-based support group Immigrant Welcome Center.
Indianapolis has hosted Gen Con annually since 2003.
Contact WFYI data journalist Zak Cassel at zcassel@wfyi.org
