Gamers, grab your cloaks + ready your cosplay, because the best four days in gaming are less than a month away. Gen Con 2024 is Thursday, Aug. 1 through Sunday, Aug. 4 at the Indianapolis Convention Center (ICC) and Lucas Oil Stadium.
Here’s what you need to know to make your time at Gen Con poggers (that’s gamer speak for exciting).
🧙♂️ What is Gen Con?
Gen Con was founded in 1967 by Dungeons and Dragons co-creator Gary Gygax. The current name is a shortened version of the original title: The Lake Geneva Wargames Convention. Over the last 57 years, Gen Con has become the largest tabletop gaming convention in North America — as of the time of this writing, there are 22,659 events planned for this year’s con.
Gen Con made its move to the Circle City in 2003, where it has remained ever since. Last year, the convention drew 70,000+ people and generated nearly $75 million in local economic impact.
🔮 Convention highlights
Trade Day | Wednesday, July 31 | 8 a.m.-5 p.m. | JW Mariott Hotel, 1st and 2nd floors | This gathering held prior to the start of the convention offers 100+ training, research, and networking events for educators, professors, graduate students, librarians, mental health professionals, developmental therapists, and retailers.
Film Festival | Thursday, Aug. 1 | 7 p.m. | ICC | Short films made by gaming aficionados from across the world will be screening on-site throughout the day, with winners announced that evening.
38th Annual Costume Contest | Saturday, Aug. 3 | 4 p.m. | ICC, Main Stage in the 500 Ballroom | A costume parade will march through the halls followed by the contest — you can dress up as your favorite character or watch from the audience.
Auction & Consignment Store | Duration of convention | Various times | ICC | Bid on your favorite action figures + peruse thousands of items for sale.
Exhibition Hall | Duration of convention | Various times | ICC | Thousands of gamemakers, publishers, and outfitters will show off their latest + greatest creations.
Art Show | Duration of convention | Various times | ICC | Meet industry legends + up-and-coming artists, find the perfect gift for the art enthusiast in your life, or just explore and immerse yourself in unique, exclusive art.
Writers Symposium | Duration of convention | Various times | ICC | Workshop your writing with the pros, get books signed by their authors, join the audience for a hilarious live D&D game, and attend panels dedicated specifically to writing for games.
🧩 How to attend
25th Century Games’ booth in the exhibition hall at Gen Con 2021.
Photo by @25thcenturygames
- Get your badge. Badges get you into Gen Con + the primary attractions, like the auction and the exhibition hall.
- Get your tickets. Tickets will reserve your seat for a particular event in advance for a small fee.
- Check out the exhibit hall map. With so much happening, you’re going to want to plan in advance where you need to be at what time.
Want to enjoy the Gen Con experience without having to purchase a badge + tickets? Keep an eye out for our guide to the block party and other free events around town.