INDIANAPOLIS (August 1, 2023) – Gen Con, the largest and longest-running tabletop gaming convention in North America, returns to Indianapolis this August 3-6 welcoming gamers back to the Indiana Convention Center (ICC) and Lucas Oil Stadium. The event entails four days of gaming, shopping, cosplaying, enjoying local food and beverages, and connecting with tens of thousands of fans from Indianapolis, the US, and around the world in a return to pre-pandemic scale.
Gen Con Indy 2023, celebrating the 20th year of holding the convention in Indianapolis, is expected to draw nearly 70,000 attendees, and will feature a sold-out exhibit hall with over 19,000 events including board games, card games, entertainment, and a wide range of activities catering to gamers and pop-culture fans of all ages. Fan-favorite games and events returning this year include Magic: The Gathering, Dungeons & Dragons, the Costume Contest, the Film Festival, and more.
This year, Gen Con represents a return to pre-Covid activities and requirements. As of January 2023, the convention will not require proof of vaccination or masks at this convention. The health and safety of attendees remains a top priority for convention organizers, and participants are encouraged to respect the choices that individuals will make about their own masking. Additional details about health and safety requirements are available on Gen Con’s website.
Opening Ceremonies will take place Thursday at 9 am Eastern in the convention center with a welcome from Gen Con President David Hoppe and Co-Owner and Chairperson of the Board Peter Adkison, including a special performance by Magic Sword and the ceremonial rolling of the dice for charity.
Gen Con’s outdoor Block Party activation, now at a new location on South Street, will feature dozens of food trucks throughout all four days of the convention, plus HotBox Pizza, Sun King Beer, Harry & Izzy’s burgers, wine from Daniel’s Vineyard, and the sounds of musical talent A-Squared and DJ Little Town.
Gen Con Indy 2023’s official charity partners are Indy Reads and Game Pathways. Indy Reads is an Indianapolis-based nonprofit whose mission is to build the literacy, English language, and job readiness skills to empower adults and families to reach their full potential through both in-person and virtual Community Classrooms, as well as workforce certification programs. Game Pathways is a nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting diverse students with career paths in the board game industry by introducing students to industry professionals and working with game companies to engage under-represented groups.
The convention features several new and continuing programs focused on increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion. A new participation grant program was launched last year, distributing funds directly to help gaming enthusiasts from historically underrepresented communities attend Gen Con Indy. The returning BIPOC Lounge in the convention center will offer a mixer, networking events, and space for attendees to gather. The Women’s Gaming Network program is also back this year to include an open house event for networking and introductions to fellow female professionals in the toy and tabletop gaming industry.
4-Day and single-day badges for Gen Con Indy 2023 are available for purchase at gencon.com/indy for will-call pickup. Single-day badges start at $17 and kids 10 and under are free with an adult badge – a great value for families looking for some summer fun. Badges are expected to sell out so those interested in joining the fun are encouraged to buy their badges before Thursday morning.
The convention also offers thousands of games and events that can be enjoyed from home through Gen Con Online virtual programming available at gencon.com/online.
About Gen Con
Gen Con is the largest and longest-running annual event devoted to tabletop gaming culture in North America. The convention, which began in 1968 in Lake Geneva, WI, takes place each summer in Indianapolis, IN. During the convention, attendees shop and demo games from hundreds of exhibiting companies and choose from thousands of ticketed events representing a wide array of board games, card games, roleplaying games, seminars, entertainment events, and more.
Gen Con Logos and Brand Kit: gencon.com/press/brand-resources
Photographs of Gen Con Indy 2022: http://bit.ly/3kOH2Qv
Media Contact for Gen Con
Stacia Kirby, (206) 478-5841, [email protected].