INDIANAPOLIS (August 1, 2022) — Gen Con, the largest and longest-running tabletop gaming convention in North America, returns to Indianapolis this August 4-7, welcoming gamers back to the Indiana Convention Center (ICC) and Lucas Oil Stadium for four days of playing games, shopping in the exhibit hall, cosplaying, enjoying local food and beverages, and connecting with tens of thousands of fans from Indianapolis and across the country.
Gen Con Indy 2022, celebrating the 55th anniversary of the convention’s founding in Lake Geneva, WI, will feature a sold-out exhibit hall with over 500 game publishers and vendors and nearly 15,000 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, Pokémon, the Film Festival, and more.
“We’re proud to celebrate the 55th anniversary of Gen Con in Indianapolis this week,” said Gen Con President David Hoppe. “While measures like masking requirements and proof of vaccination are still necessary to help keep our attendees and community safe, this year will be even bigger and more exciting than last year, with a return to the scale and energy that make Gen Con such an epic, can’t-miss experience year after year.”
The health and safety of attendees remains a top priority for convention organizers, and all participants will be required to wear masks in all indoor spaces and show proof of vaccination to attend. Additional details about health and safety requirements are available on Gen Con’s website.
Last year’s convention — operating at 50% capacity — drew over 35,000 attendees and generated an estimated $37 million in economic activity for restaurants, hotels, and other local businesses in Indianapolis. Convention organizers project attendance at Gen Con Indy 2022 to reach more than 75% of pre-pandemic numbers.
“We are grateful to Gen Con for their continued commitment to Indy and their leadership in ensuring the health and safety of those visiting our city,” said Chris Gahl, Senior Vice President with Visit Indy. “Our entire tourism community is ready and excited to welcome back visitors from across the U.S. and more than 40 countries.”
Gen Con’s 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 Peter Adkison, including a special performance by hip-hop artist Nur-D and the ceremonial rolling of the dice for charity.
On Georgia St, Gen Con’s outdoor Block Party activation will feature dozens of food trucks throughout all four days of the convention, plus HotBox Pizza, Sun King Beer, Harry & Izzy’s, wine from Daniel’s Vineyard, and a special musical performance from Nur-D and Indiana native METAVARI.
Gen Con Indy 2022’s official charity partner is The Patachou Foundation, an Indianapolis-based nonprofit which serves meals and learning experiences for children to increase their awareness of and excitement about food and fight the root causes of hunger in the community. Multiple events over the weekend will raise funds for The Patachou Foundation.
The convention features several new and continuing programs focused on increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion. A new participation grant program was launched this year, distributing funds directly to help gaming enthusiasts from historically underrepresented communities attend Gen Con Indy. A new BIPOC Lounge in the convention center will offer a mixer, networking events, and space for attendees to gather. A revived Women’s Gaming Network program is also back this year, to include a happy hour for networking and introductions to fellow female professionals in the tabletop gaming industry.
4-Day and single-day badges for Gen Con Indy 2022 are available for purchase in limited quantities at gencon.com/indy for will-call pickup. Single-day badges start at $16 – a great value for families looking for some summer fun.
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.
Badge Prices
4-Day
$125
Thursday
$65
Friday
Saturday
$80
Sunday
$16
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 2021: https://bit.ly/3lEIYat
Media Contact for Gen Con
Stacia Kirby, (206) 478-5841, [email protected].