Gen Con Expanding in Lucas Oil Stadium
Gen Con saw nearly 61
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe largest gaming convention in North America is about to get even bigger. Gen Con organizers say this year’s event, which is celebrating its 50th year, will expand to the field of Lucas Oil Stadium.
The convention first expanded into the stadium last year, utilizing the building’s exhibition space. Gen Con says part of the expansion will include a showcase area honoring the first Gen Con in 1967.
"Gen Con 50 will be the largest and most exciting yet," said Adrian Swartout, owner and chief executive officer of Gen Con. "Our expansion inside of Lucas Oil Stadium reflects the increasing scale of the convention, but also will allow us to comfortably fit a tribute space that is approximately to scale of the first Gen Con, right on the field."
Several other portions of Gen Con that were previously located inside the Indiana Convention Center will also move onto the LOS field. Game companies including Mayfair Games, Twilight Creations and WizKids Games will host activities and there will also be a dedicated space for free-to-play kids events.
"We are delighted with Gen Con’s continued growth and success in Indy," said Leonard Hoops, president and CEO of Visit Indy. "Lucas Oil Stadium was connected to the Indiana Convention Center and deliberately designed to serve as a multi-purpose venue to provide exactly this kind of flexibility in growing events here. We look forward to activating the Lucas Oil Stadium field level for Gen Con’s partners and gamers from around the globe."
Last year, Gen Con set a new record for turnstile attendance with 202,000 attendees. The event also recorded nearly 61,000 unique attendees. In December, Gen Con signed a one-year extension to stay in Indianapolis through 2021.
Gen Con 50 runs August 17-20, 2017. Visit Indy Senior Vice President Chris Gahl says Indianapolis has benefited from the "Gen Con effect," which has drawn other pop culture conventions to the city.