Gen Con

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Arts & CultureIndianapolis
Dates2 August 2026Confirmed listing
Duration1 dayListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forPerformance, exhibitionsGen Con was founded by Gary Gygax, who would
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategoryArts & CultureFestival type
The story

Gen Con in Indianapolis

The largest tabletop gaming convention in North America, held every early August at the Indiana Convention Center. Founded in 1968 by Gary Gygax and based in Indianapolis since 2003, Gen Con drew 71,000 attendees in 2024 for role-playing games, board games, and card games. It remains the largest tabletop gaming convention in North America.

Gen Con traces its origins to 1968, when Gary Gygax organized the Lake Geneva Wargames Convention in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, years before he would go on to co-create Dungeons and Dragons and reshape tabletop gaming as a hobby.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Gen Con was founded by Gary Gygax, who would go on to co-create Dungeons and Dragons, and it remains the event where Magic the Gathering made its debut in 1993, selling 2

02

The mystery stays covered

5 million cards in its first appearance

03

The city starts moving

Traditions found nowhere else include Cardhalla, an annual charity event where attendees build and then dramatically destroy a city built entirely of playing cards, and True Dungeon, an immersive live-action dungeon crawl running continuously since 2003, both of which reflect a convention culture built by and for dedicated tabletop hobbyists rather than a generic pop-culture expo

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

the collaborative build-and-destroy charity event using stacked playing cards

Water and renewal

Living ritual

has run since 1999 and remains one of the convention's most visually distinctive traditions

The sacred route

Living ritual

True Dungeon

The local code

Living ritual

an immersive tabletop-adjacent live dungeon crawl

Tradition 5

Living ritual

and the ENnies awards for tabletop role-playing games have both been fixtures of the convention since the early 2000s

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

2 August 2026

Getting around

Use the city as a planning base, then confirm the exact venue, route, or meeting point close to the date.

What to wear

Comfortable indoor convention attire, though costume and cosplay dress is common and welcomed throughout the venue; hallways and gaming rooms require significant walking and sitting.

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

Choose lodging by the part of Indianapolis you will actually use, not only by the cheapest room.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map39.77 N, 86.16 WOpen in Google Maps

Indianapolis, IN

Nearest airportIND — Indianapolis
TransportUse the city as a planning base, then confirm the exact venue, route, or meeting point close to the date.
Stay areaChoose lodging by the part of Indianapolis you will actually use, not only by the cheapest room.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Indianapolis via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Indianapolis, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for August.Compare faresFestival gearComfortable indoor convention attire, though costume and cosplay dress is common and welcomed throughout the venue; hallways and gaming rooms require significant walking and sitting.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Gen Con?

Gen Con is listed for 2 August 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Gen Con take place?

The festival is listed in Indianapolis, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

One day is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Indianapolis, IN

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLgencon.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed dates2 August 2026
Source statusOfficial source linked
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