Vancouver Game Expo targets bigger crowd for 2026 return
Vancouver Game Expo returns Dec. 5-6 at the Vancouver Convention Centre, with organizers aiming to double attendance after drawing 2,200 people in 2025. The second-year event adds curated indie and student showcases, plus a Steam sale tied to Vancouver-made games.
Why it matters: - Vancouver Game Expo is trying to fill a gap in British Columbia’s gaming calendar with a larger consumer event built around local studios, creators and fans. - The show’s growth could give Vancouver more visibility as a game-development hub while giving indie and student projects a bigger public stage.
What happened: - Vancouver Game Expo returns Dec. 5-6, 2026, on Vancouver’s waterfront at the Vancouver Convention Centre. - Early bird tickets are available through Oct. 31 at vangameexpo.ca. - Organizers are aiming to double attendance in the event’s second year. - The inaugural 2025 event drew 2,200 attendees at Yaletown Roundhouse. - Clara Sia, VGX founder, said the event is led by women from across the game industry and community and is designed to spotlight Vancouver and B.C. talent.
The details: - More than 50 game studios and developers are set to exhibit playable demos. - Exhibitors include 81monkeys with World of Anterra, HO! Games and Outersloth with Am I Nima, and ThirtyThree and Aggro Crab with Rebounder. - VGX SELECTS will curate rising indie game projects. - VGX NEXT will showcase student game projects. - The event will also include artists and other vendors, free-play lounges, special guest meet-and-greets, digital quests, cosplay catwalks and official merch. - Free-play areas will include arcade cabinets, consoles and board games.
Between the lines: - B.C. has a strong game-development reputation, but organizers say the region still lacks a major consumer-facing gaming event. - The expansion from one day to two days suggests VGX is betting there is unmet demand from both the community and the industry. - The event’s mix of playable demos, creator spaces and retail points to a broader festival model, not just a trade show.
What's next: - VGX will also run Vancouver Games Celebration on Steam from Dec. 4-13 as a digital companion event. - The Steam promotion will feature discounts from dozens of curated games made in or about Vancouver. - Last year’s Steam sale generated more than 5.3 million unique impressions. - That sale included franchises from The Coalition, Blackbird Interactive, Offworld Industries and Brace Yourself Games. - VGX Press Kit: Press kit
The bottom line: - VGX is scaling up fast, and organizers want the 2026 edition to turn Vancouver’s game scene into a bigger regional draw.
Disclaimer: This article was produced by AGP Wire with the assistance of artificial intelligence based on original source content and has been refined to improve clarity, structure, and readability. This content is provided on an “as is” basis. While care has been taken in its preparation, it may contain inaccuracies or omissions, and readers should consult the original source and independently verify key information where appropriate. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, investment, or other professional advice.
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