INDIANAPOLIS — The largest tabletop gaming convention returned to downtown Indianapolis last weekend and drew in a record-breaking crowd!
Gen Con 2024 packed the halls of the Indiana Convention Center this week, setting a record for attendance with more over 71,000 gamers and fans.
“As our city’s skyline has grown, so has Gen Con’s attendance and its overall impact on Indy,” said Chris Gahl, executive vice president & chief marketing officer with Visit Indy. “In addition to attracting visitors from around the world, since arriving in 2003, Gen Con has partnered with local nonprofits to give back more than $455,000. Gen Con is so much more than an annual convention, they are part of our community.”
According to the convention, it brought more than $77 million to Indy hotels, restaurants and other local businesses.
During the four-day celebration, over 540 games were brought to the convention center, Lucas Oil Stadium and several downtown hotels.
“Gen Con 2024 was a rousing success and we are once again humbled by the passion of our attendees and the hospitality of Indianapolis,” said David Hoppe, Gen Con’s president. “The original edition of Dungeons & Dragons made its Gen Con debut in 1974, and we were proud to join with our attendees on this historic occasion to celebrate how much D&D and Gen Con have each grown in scale and cultural influence over the past 50 years.”
Each year, Gen Con partners with charities to raise funds for them. This year, attendees helped raise over $31,000 for the Rose Gauntlet Foundation and Tangram.
Gen Con will return to Indy July 31 through Aug. 3 in 2025 and will remain in Indy through 2030.