Long-running, often-massive tabletop gaming convention Gen Con, this year broke attendance records, bouncing back in an epic way from the COVIC downturn.
Gen Con is a four day affair annually held in Indianapolis. It’s often a hotbed for companies debuting new products, and this year saw one such massive release, in the form of the Disney-based Lorcana trading card game. Experts speculate that the overwhelming demand for these cards added to the high attendance numbers.
The previous record for Gen Con attendance was set in 2019, with around 70,000 visitors. The convention was then not held in 2020, and began building up from about 35,000 in 2021 and 50,000 in 2022.
Gen Con has announced that it is renewing its contract with the city of Indianapolis through 2030.
This year’s attendance was again over 70,000, and reportedly more than the 2019 record. This year also marked the 20th anniversary of the show.
