The American grip on video game industry events seemed unshakable just a few years ago. From the annual Game Developers Conference (GDC) and Summer Game Fest to The Game Awards, there truly was no other place to go in North America, if not globally, for a consistent slew of gaming conferences and showcases targeting both industry professionals and consumers.
The times they are a-changin’, especially for Canada. Even disregarding the recent turns the U.S. geopolitical climate has taken, the “51st state” rhetoric, coupled with the growing and valid concerns about the safety of crossing the U.S.-Canadian border and simply being on U.S. soil, there is a noticeable shift away from treating the U.S.-based events as the default for the global games industry.
A rapidly growing recognition of Canada as a tour de force in game development, the incredible talent we have here, and the appetite for anything Canadian-made more broadly, is slowly but surely giving rise to more local gaming events of all sizes and calibres. Consumers and developers alike, casual and heavy gamers, studios, publishers, and investors can get their conference kick on home soil without setting foot in the U.S. or flying across the ocean for the likes of Gamescom or Tokyo Game Show.
While the majority of large-scale gaming events in Canada are still largely concentrated in the usual suspects of Toronto, Montréal, and Vancouver, their existence paves the way for more local initiatives, game showcases, and industry events across provinces and territories. MobileSyrup has compiled a list to include as many such events as possible, from coast to coast to coast. We aim to make this list as exhaustive as possible over time, expanding it and adding to it as the Canadian gaming industry continues to grow.
Whether you’re a developer, an investor, or a gaming fan, there is something gaming-related happening soon, hopefully, reasonably near to you — no passport required.
Canadian video games events for consumers (by province)
Canadians David Hayter (the voice of Snake in Metal Gear) and Sam Maggs (game writer, Call of Duty: Vanguard) at Fan Expo Canada 2022.
Many consumer-oriented gaming events in Canada tend to be focused on pop culture more broadly but include a subset of panels, signing sessions, and meet-and-greets specifically targeting video game fans. These cons often feature special guests that would be of interest to the gaming demographic in general.
The biggest player in this category is Fan Expo HQ, a division of the globally distributed events production company Informa Connect. Fan Expo is a familiar name to geeks and nerds in Toronto, but the signature pop culture event has now expanded to more Canadian cities, including Calgary, Edmonton, and Vancouver.
Besides that, more independent conventions are now being organized across the country, striving to offer less cookie-cutter experiences. A handful of conventions and expos that specifically focus on video games now take place in the Greater Toronto Area, Edmonton, Vancouver, and Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan!
Note: ticket price ranges below do not include child/youth options, which are often available for a significant discount but may require an accompanying adult with a valid ticket of their own.
Alberta
Calgary Expo
https://fanexpohq.com/calgaryexpo/
Location: Calgary, AB
Next event: April 23-26, 2026
Tickets: $30-119
GameCon Canada
https://gameconcanada.com/
Location: Edmonton, AB
Next event: June 19-21
Tickets: $45-350
Canada’s largest gaming expo, held in Edmonton, AB, returns this year with a major industry event in tow.
Edmonton Expo
https://fanexpohq.com/edmontonexpo/
Location: Edmonton, AB
Next event: September 18-20, 2026
Tickets: TBA
British Columbia
Vancouver Game Garden
https://vangamegarden.com
Location: Vancouver, BC
Next event: June 13-14
Tickets: Free admission
A public, free-to-attend showcase of local video games and art. It’s organized by prominent B.C. developers like Greg Lobanov (Chicory: A Colorful Tale) and Remy Siu (1000xResist).
Vancouver Retro Gaming Expo
https://www.vancouvergamingexpo.com/
Location: Vancouver, BC
Next event: June 20, 2026
Tickets: $28.57
A celebration of all things retro gaming in Vancouver. Since Vancouver is one of the host cities for the FIFA 2026 World Cup, the expo organizers are cheerfully warning out-of-town attendees to buy their tickets early and wish them luck in booking a hotel.
Vancouver Game Expo
https://vangameconnect.ca/
Location: Vancouver, BC
Next event: TBA
Tickets: TBA
A one-day interactive exhibition of locally made video games, vendors, and family-friendly activities to celebrate Vancouver’s vibrant game scene.
Fan Expo Vancouver
https://fanexpohq.com/fanexpovancouver/
Location: Vancouver, BC
Next event: Feb 13-15, 2027
Tickets: TBA
Manitoba
Winnipeg Comiccon
https://comicconwinnipeg.com/
Location: Winnipeg, MB
Next event: October 30-November 1, 2026
Tickets: $22-240, free admission for children under 5 and for children aged 6-12 on Friday and Sunday
New Brunswick
Pokekon
http://pokekon.ca/Moncton/
Location: Moncton, NB
Next event: October 31, 2026
Tickets: $25-123, free admission for children under 11
A one-day trade show for lovers and collectors of all things Pokémon.
Newfoundland and Labrador
Games Carnival
https://www.sandboxgaming.org/what-we-do
Location: Paradise, NL
Next event: TBA
Tickets: TBA
Organized by Sandbox Gaming NL, a non-profit organization founded in 2010 in Newfoundland and Labrador, Game Carnivals are local gaming days that take place in spring and fall every year.
Nova Scotia
Hal-Con
https://hal-con.com/
Location: Halifax, NS
Next event: November 6-8, 2026
Tickets: TBA
The largest gaming convention east of Montréal, Hal-Con provides programming and activities for video game fans, including a room of arcade cabinets.
Ontario
Canadian Game Awards
https://canadiangameawards.ca/en
Location: Toronto, ON
Next event: May 21, 2026
Tickets: $38-62 (free to stream on Twitch and YouTube)
Part-awards show, part expo of amazing Canadian video games on the Eh! Game Showcase show floor, Canadian Game Awards is a celebration of Canadian achievement in game development that is open to everyone. This year’s gala and showcase take place at the John Bassett Theatre in downtown Toronto.
Toronto Games Week
https://torontogamesweek.com/
Location: Various locations across Toronto
Next event: June 11-17, 2026
Tickets: Free (registration may be required for some events)
Toronto Games Week is a celebration of gaming in all its forms, from video games to board games and city-wide scavenger hunts. Events of Toronto Games Week are organized independently by dozens of organizations, curators, companies, creators, and communities.
Fan Expo Canada
https://fanexpohq.com/fanexpocanada/
Location: Toronto, ON
Next event: Aug 27-30, 2026
Tickets: $31-$179
Ottawa Comiccon
https://ottawacomiccon.com/
Location: Ottawa, ON
Next event: September 11-13, 2026
Tickets: $29-290, free admission for children under 5
Video Game Live Expo (VGLX)
https://vglx.ca/
Location: Mississauga, ON
Next event: October 24-25, 2026
Tickets: TBA
Now in its second year, the VGLX is one of the newest additions to the lineup of consumer gaming shows in the Greater Toronto Area that offers a large demo showcase, an artist valley, a creator lounge, and more to celebrate gamers, creators, and the gaming community at large.
Toronto Game Expo
https://www.torontogameexpo.ca/
Location: Toronto, ON
Next event: November 7-8, 2026
Tickets: $32-200
Toronto Game Expo is the largest fan-driven marketplace in Canada, held twice a year at Exhibition Place in Toronto.
Toronto Comicon
https://fanexpohq.com/comicontoronto/
Location: Toronto, ON
Next event: March 19-21, 2027
Tickets: TBA
Level Up Showcase
https://levelupshowcase.com/
Location: Toronto, ON
Next event: April 3, 2027
Tickets: Free, registration required
Level Up Showcase is an annual event celebrating student talent in game development, bringing together games and demos made by post-secondary students and thousands of attendees eager to play them and provide feedback.
Quebéc
Montréal Comiccon
https://www.montrealcomiccon.com/en/
Location: Montréal, QC
Next event: July 3-5, 2026
Tickets: $33-360, free admission for children under 5.
Comiccon de Québec
https://www.comicconquebec.com/en/
Location: Québec City, QC
Next event: October 10-11, 2026
Tickets: $16-130, free admission for children under 5.
Gamerella
https://gamerella.ca/en/
Location: Montreal, online
Next event: TBA November 2026
The world’s longest-running inclusive game jam, inviting anyone interested to try their hand at making a game within a short period of time.
Montréal Games Week – La Semaine du Jeu Vidéo de Montréal
https://www.semainedujeuvideodemontreal.com/en
Location: Various locations across Montréal
Next event: TBA
Tickets: Free (registration may be required for some events)
Montréal Games Week is a community-driven series of free events to highlight and celebrate the local video game industry and the vibrant Montréal gaming scene.
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan Retro Gamecon
https://saskretro.com/
Location: Moose Jaw, SK
Next event: September 12-13, 2026
Tickets:$15-145, free admission for children under 10
The two-day Saskatchewan Retro GameCon celebrates all things pop culture with a fun focus on retro video game tournaments.
The Gamers Expo (GAX)
https://www.mjga.ca/gax
Location: Moose Jaw, SK
Next event: TBA
Tickets: TBA
Also taking place in Moose Jaw, SK, usually in February, the GAX is one of the longest-running gaming events in Saskatchewan, hosting LAN parties, console rooms, board game competitions, VR gaming, and more. Most of the proceeds from GAX go to support charities.
Canadian video games events for industry professionals (by province)
Image credit: XP Gaming
These are conferences and summits organized for people involved in video games in a professional capacity, from game developers and investors to consultants and marketers. They often feature packed schedules of professional talks, panels, and discussions, structured networking, and opportunities for one-on-one meetings. Pass prices vary, but may often include student and small studio-friendly options.
Alberta
North American Games Industry Summit (NAGIS)
https://nagis.ca/
Location: Edmonton, AB
Next event: June 18-19, 2026
Passes: $100-499
NAGIS is a brand-new industry event that will be held for the first time in 2026 alongside Game Con Canada. NAGIS aims to foster partnerships and build connections to strengthen video game development in Western Canada and beyond.
British Columbia
External Development Summit (XDS) Vancouver
https://xdsummit.com/
Location: Vancouver, BC
Next event: September 8-11, 2026
Passes: $1,295 USD with various discount options
XDS is an annual international event dedicated exclusively to external development for various aspects of video game production, welcoming developers, publishers, service providers, and trade partners to attend.
Nova Scotia
XP Game Connect Atlantic
https://xpgaming.biz/xp-game-connect-atlantic/
Location: Halifax, NS
Next event: June 5, 2026
Passes: $75-$299
A one-day business-to-business event bringing together studios, publishers, investors, and industry partners to showcase Atlantic Canada as a growing hub for video game development.
Ontario
Toronto XP Game Summit
https://xpgamesummit.com/
Location: Toronto, ON
Next event: May 20-21, 2026
Passes: $149-$699
A two-day industry conference in downtown Toronto with talks and panels focused on the business of video games, a demo showfloor, and a popular Indie Pitch competition.
VRTO Spatial Media World Conference and Expo
https://conference.virtualreality.to/
Location: Toronto, ON
Next event: June 24-26, 2026
Passes: $55-$550
While not ostensibly a “video games” conference, VRTO is Canada’s longest-running event dedicated to XR and immersive technologies, including virtual reality and augmented reality, focusing on the sector’s innovation, trends, and challenges.
Quebéc
Montréal International Game Summit (MIGS)
migs.biz/en/
Location: Montréal, QC
Next event: November 10-11, 2026
Passes: TBA
MIGS is the largest and longest-running, not to mention wildly popular, business-to-business video games conference in Canada, organized by XP Gaming Inc. Highlights include the Indie Zone, the Indie Pitch competition, and a packed schedule of talks and panels to keep attendees busy on both days.
Canadian video games events for developers
Image credit: Gamerella
While every game convention worth its salt includes a showcase floor and a demo area for developers and studios to show their work, there is also a growing local infrastructure supporting works in progress in urban centres across Canada.
From annual playtesting to monthly meetups, these events welcome game developers at every stage of their career to share knowledge, get feedback, and network with their peers. Whenever it makes sense for the format, many of these events welcome non-developers to participate or observe.
Ontario
Bonus Stage (Toronto)
https://bonusstage.carrd.co/
A recurring social event for game developers in Toronto featuring micro talks and relaxed mingling with like-minded people.
Dirty Rectangles (Ottawa, Toronto, Kitchener-Waterloo)
https://dirty-rectangles.com/
Developer “Show & Chill” recurring events in Ottawa, Toronto, and Kitchener/Waterloo, organized by a collective of videogame developers.
Toronto Game Jam – TOJam (Toronto)
https://www.tojam.ca/
Next event: May 8-10, 2026
An annual event that encourages participants to make a game from scratch over the course of one weekend. All levels of experience and mastery are welcome. Registration is free, with limited in-person spots and an option to participate online on Discord.
The G.R.I.D. (Toronto)
https://playthegrid.games
Next event: June 12, 2026
The G.R.I.D. is a welcoming space for indie developers, solo creators, and emergent studios to showcase their games and get structured, honest feedback from a pre-selected group of playtesters. After a room-packed-solid first edition in June 2025, the event is back for round two on June 12, 2026. Developers, playtesters, and media interested in participating can register here.
Montreál, QC
Gamerella
https://gamerella.ca/en/
Founded in 2013, Gamerella is the world’s longest-running inclusive game jam in Montréal, focused on bringing more women and marginalized communities into the game development fold.
Pixels & Poutine
https://www.pixelsandpoutine.com/
Montréal-based Pixels & Poutine provides a space for micro and small development teams to showcase their indies in a relaxed social setting. They also have a monthly meetup, usually taking place on the first Tuesday of every month.
Winnipeg, MB
Winnipeg Games Collective / PegJam
https://www.pegjam.com
The Winnipeg Game Collective (WGC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting game developers, artists, and gaming enthusiasts in Manitoba. Besides PegJam, their flagship game jam event held annually around February, WGC also holds regular dev meetups and organizes workshops and online networking on Discord.
Have we missed something? Do you have a tip for a cool local gaming event you’d like us to add to the list? Please let us know in the comments!
