What are the TOP tabletop activity conventions?
Where are they held and how often?
How can I find the all the best gameboard recreation conventions for game fans to enjoy?
If any of this sounds familiar, you’re definitely in the RIGHT PLACE!
Board activity conventions are gatherings where fans of tabletop activities can come together to learn about what’s coming up in the world of their favorite hobby while playing existing gameboard recreations together as well.
Some of these are standalone conventions, while others are part of comic book, anime, fantasy, sci-fi, or video recreation conventions.
We’ve made a list of 50 of the best board game conventions out there, so if you live in the US or are visiting, you may want to check out conventions coming up in your area. We’ve featured at least one for every state in this top tabletop activity conventions list.
PLEASE NOTE: This list is sorted alphabetically by state. It is not meant to compare and rank conventions against one another, but rather to give you a running checklist of FANTASTIC gameboard recreation conventions and expos to learn about and check out. So, what are you waiting for? Choose a great convention below and get your board game on!
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
#1: Play On Con
VISIT THEM HERE: http://www.playoncon.com/
Play On Con is a unique convention experience that combines summer camp with convention activities. Although it takes place at a 4-H camp location, this is an adult-friendly event.
Dates: July 4 to 7, 2019 (2020 dates not yet announced)
Venue/City: 4-H Center, Columbiana, Alabama
Estimated Number of Attendees: 100+
#2: Platypus Con
VISIT THEM HERE: http://www.platypusgaming.org/
Get together with friends and strangers from all over Alaska to enjoy tabletop games. This is a safe place for kids and adults both to share their love of this hobby.
Dates: January 24 to 26, 2020
Venue/City: Centennial Hall, Juneau, Alaska
Estimated Number of Attendees: 100+
#3: RinCon
VISIT THEM HERE: http://rincongames.com/
This smaller convention in Arizona includes tournaments and casual activities as well as information about upcoming new recreations on the horizon, too.
Dates: October 4 to 6, 2019
Venue/City: Sheraton Tucson Hotel and Suites, Tucson, Arizona
Estimated Number of Attendees: 300+
#4: GlitchCon
VISIT THEM HERE: https://www.glitchcon.com/
GlitchCon is a multi-genre convention, which means it includes anime, video games, gameboard activities, comics, movies, and more. It’s a great way to connect with friends who enjoy many of the same interests across different types of media.
Dates: August 2 to 4, 2019
Venue/City: Holiday Inn and Convention Center, Springdale, Arkansas
Estimated Number of Attendees: 1000+
#5: Strategicon
VISIT THEM HERE: http://www.strategicon.net/
Strategicon actually includes three large activity conventions that take place in California throughout the year: Orccon, Gamex, and Gateway. Check them all out if you’re really interested in the California board recreation scene.
Dates: August 30 to September 2, 2019
Venue/City: Hilton Los Angeles Airport, Los Angeles, California
Estimated Number of Attendees: 2000+
#6: Tacticon
VISIT THEM HERE: http://tacticoncolorado.com/
This is a smaller convention in Colorado that allows for a more intimate tabletop game experience for its attendees. It’s a good starter convention for those in the area. More info can also be found on genghisconcolorado.com but for news, features and special guests check their social media pages.
Dates: August 29 to September 1, 2019
Venue/City: Marriott South at Park Meadows, Lone Tree, Colorado
Estimated Number of Attendees: 500+
#7: ConnectiCon
VISIT THEM HERE: http://connecticon.org/
ConnectiCon is a huge convention that encompasses a variety of types of media, including video recreations, movies, comic books, gameboard games, fantasy, and more. This convention will have been going on for 18 years in 2020 and is sure to draw massive crowds.
Dates: July 9 to 12, 2020
Venue/City: Connecticut Convention Center, Hartford, Connecticut
Estimated Number of Attendees: 15,000+
#8: VersusCon
VISIT THEM HERE: http://versuscon.com/
This one-day convention encourages local board activity fans to take part in event tournaments and try out activities they might not have otherwise tried. This is a smaller, easier convention than some of the large-scale ones listed here.
Dates: October 27, 2019
Venue/City: University of Delaware campus, Newark, Delaware
Estimated Number of Attendees: 100+
#9: Dice Tower Con
VISIT THEM HERE: https://www.dicetower.com/elanding/
Stop by Dice Tower Con in Orlando to enjoy the sunny Florida summer while playing some of your favorite tabletop recreations. Partake in tournaments or just talk with friends about strategies and new ideas.
Dates: July 3 to 7, 2019 (no dates yet announced for 2020)
Venue/City: Orlando, Florida
Estimated Number of Attendees: 1000+
#10: DragonCon
VISIT THEM HERE: https://www.dragoncon.org/
DragonCon is one of the largest multi-genre conventions in the United States. It continues to draw enormous crowds over the four-day convention and often has some of the best media guests of any convention in the country.
Dates: August 29 to September 2, 2019
Venue/City: Atlanta, Georgia
Estimated Number of Attendees: 80,000+
#11: Comic Con Honolulu
VISIT THEM HERE: https://comicconhonolulu.com/events/table-top-gaming/
This convention encourages new players to join and learn about their favorite games.
Dates: August 2 to 4, 2019
Venue/City: Hawaii Convention Center, Honolulu, Hawaii
Estimated Number of Attendees: 1000+
#12: Gem State Gaming Convention
VISIT THEM HERE: https://tabletop.events/conventions/gem-state-gaming-convention
This is a small but up-and-coming convention that includes a large gameboard recreation library for all its guests to enjoy.
Dates: July 12-14, 2019
Venue/City: Wyndham Garden, Boise, Idaho
Estimated Number of Attendees: 1000+
#13 DieCon
VISIT THEM HERE: http://www.diecon.com/Main/
This smaller convention has been going on for twenty years and continues to draw crowds of local board game fans each year.
Dates: June 5-7, 2020
Venue/City: Gateway Center Convention Complex, Collinsville, Illinois
Estimated Number of Attendees: 1000+
#14: Gaming Hoopla
VISIT THEM HERE: http://www.gaminghoopla.com
This small convention changes locations each year and contributes funds to Aurora Cancer Care.
Dates: April 24 to 26, 2020
Venue/City: Mundelein, Illinois
Estimated Number of Attendees: 500+
#15: Gen Con
VISIT THEM HERE: http://www.gencon.com/
This is one of the largest tabletop activity conventions in the country and has been going on since the 1960s. Be sure to make this con a part of your plans for a true gameboard recreation convention experience.
Dates: August 1 to 4, 2019
Venue/City: Indianapolis, Indiana
Estimated Number of Attendees: 60,000+
#16: Gamicon
VISIT THEM HERE: https://tabletop.events/conventions/gamicon-copper
This convention has been going on for 25 years and is a favorite among board game fans throughout the country. This event is a very good value to attend, as pre-reg weekend player badges are only $25!
Dates: February 28 to March 1, 2020
Venue/City: Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Estimated Number of Attendees: 500+
#17: Tri-Con
VISIT THEM HERE: http://tristategamers.org/
This convention is a great way for locals and visitors alike to spend the Labor Day weekend among tabletop and video activities.
Dates: August 30 to September 2, 2019
Venue/City: Sioux City, Iowa
Estimated Number of Attendees: 1000+
#18: Tsunamicon
VISIT THEM HERE: http://www.tsunamicon.org/
This convention is fantasy-themed and focused on tabletop RPG gaming. There are also miniatures, LARP events, and more for the avid fan of tabletop.
Dates: October 18 to 20, 2019
Venue/City: Midian Shrine Center, Wichita, Kansas
Estimated Number of Attendees: 10,000+
#19: Lexicon
VISIT THEM HERE: https://lexicongaming.com/
This smaller convention may not draw the huge crowds some of the others on our list do, but it provides gameboard activity fans a comfortable place to enjoy their favorite hobby among the beautiful scenery of Kentucky.
Lexicon features a ginormous 2,000+ boardgaming library (one of the largest in the country)! They have two adult gaming parties on Friday and Saturday night with lots of social gaming, sponsored by West Sixth St. Brewing. Expect to have lots of learn to play and play to win board recreations through out the weekend and a chance to check out many vendors and entrepreneurs at the convention.
Pre-reg badges are $43 (incl. tax) for the weekend. Starts Fri. at noon and ends Sunday at 5pm. Since they are at a hotel, people can recreation all night long!
Dates: April 5 to 7, 2020
Venue/City: Clarion, Lexington, Kentucky
Estimated Number of Attendees: 1,000+
#20: Southern Tabletop Game Festival
VISIT THEM HERE: https://www.southerngamefest.com/
This is a one-day event perfect for newcomers or those who want a quick daily gameboard activity fix.
Dates: March 30, 2019
Venue/City: Lafayette, Louisiana
Estimated Number of Attendees: 500+
#21: SnowCon
VISIT THEM HERE: http://snowconmaine.com/main/
This convention expects many vendors selling unique and new board games.
Dates: January 18 and 19, 2020
Venue/City: Bangor, Maine
Estimated Number of Attendees: 1000+
#22: EuroQuest
VISIT THEM HERE: https://www.euroquestcon.com/
Fans of European style tabletop activities are sure to enjoy this specialized Eurogame convention experience.
Dates: November 6 to 10, 2019
Venue/City: Pikesville, Maryland
Estimated Number of Attendees: 1000+
#23: PAX East
VISIT THEM HERE: https://east.paxsite.com
This huge convention includes anime, video recreations, gameboard games, comic books, and more. Guests enjoy cosplay, panels, tournaments, and all sorts of unique and fun experiences at PAX East.
Dates: March 28 to 31, 2019
Venue/City: Boston, Massachusetts
Estimated Number of Attendees: 70,000+
#24: Marmalade Dog
VISIT THEM HERE: https://marmaladedog.org
This is a small board recreation convention with a specific focus on certain themes and activities each year.
Dates: 2020 (unannounced)
Venue/City: Kalamazoo, Michigan
Estimated Number of Attendees: 100+
#25: Con of the North
VISIT THEM HERE: http://conofthenorth.org/
This convention includes both judged and casual events for those who want to play tabletop recreations at their own speed.
Dates: February 14 to 16, 2020
Venue/City: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Estimated Number of Attendees: 2000+
#26: CoastCon
VISIT THEM HERE: http://www.coastcon.org/
CoastCon has been supplying gameboard game fans in Mississippi with a place to gather and have fun for over forty years, and it continues to be a favorite event among the world of board activity hobbyists.
Dates: March 6 to 8, 2020
Venue/City: Biloxi, Mississippi
Estimated Number of Attendees: 2000+
#27: Geekway to the West
VISIT THEM HERE: https://geekwaytothewest.com/
This exciting convention offers many options to be competitive or cooperative with friends and strangers and several event tournaments for classic and new tabletop games.
Geekway to the West has been around since 2005 when it first took place in a basement! It has since grown to more then 3000 attendees annually, and is the Midwest’s largest gameboard recreation convention. This board game event is most famous for the Play and Win promotion. Over 100 hot titles are featured each year, with at least six copies of every activity. With Play and Win, each registered play of a recreation gives you a chance to win a copy of that game.
In addition to Play and Win, you can enjoy a library with more than 2000 activities, a huge open play area, a large vendor area, and numerous events and tournaments.
Geekway takes place in May or June of each year in St. Charles, MO – only minutes away from downtown St. Louis.
Dates: June 11 to 14, 2020
Venue/City: St. Charles, Missouri
Estimated Number of Attendees: 1000+
#28: MisCon
VISIT THEM HERE: http://www.miscon.org/
MisCon features discussions and panels as well as a unique art show with an auction and buying/selling element, all based on tabletop recreations and RPGs.
Dates: May 22 to 25, 2020
Venue/City: Missoula, Montana
Estimated Number of Attendees: 700+
#29: Dice Tower West
VISIT THEM HERE: https://www.dicetowerwest.com/
Set in Las Vegas, this gameboard activity convention lasts four days and is sure to have something for everyone.
Dates: February 26 to March 1, 2020
Venue/City: Las Vegas, Nevada
Estimated Number of Attendees: 1000+
#30: Granite Recreation Summit
VISIT THEM HERE: http://www.granitegamesummit.com/
Guests can bring their own games or play activities from the included library at this small but growing convention.
Dates: March 6 to 8, 2020
Venue/City: Nashua, New Hampshire
Estimated Number of Attendees: 1000+
#31: DexCon
VISIT THEM HERE: https://dexposure.com/home.html
This convention focuses on a select handful of board recreations as a showcase while including others for attendees to try, play, and participate in. This is a role-playing specific convention.
Dates: July 3 to 7, 2019
Venue/City: Morristown, New Jersey
Estimated Number of Attendees: 2000+
#32: Bubonicon
VISIT THEM HERE: http://bubonicon.com/
This is a fantasy-themed convention that includes tabletop games as part of its events. Visit this con if you’re interested in all aspects of fantasy as well as tabletop RPGs.
Dates: August 23 to 25, 2019
Venue/City: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Estimated Number of Attendees: 1000+
#33: Council Gaming Convention
VISIT THEM HERE: http://www.swa-gaming.org/council
This convention focuses on adventure gaming specifically, so fans of this genre are sure to enjoy this long-running event.
Dates: September 20 to 22, 2019
Venue/City: Schenectady, New York
Estimated Number of Attendees: 2000+
#34: MACE
VISIT THEM HERE: https://www.justusproductions.com/
This tabletop-specific convention is ideal for fans of RPGs and miniatures as well as those who are looking to get into this unique and fun hobby.
Dates: November 8 to 10, 2019
Venue/City: Charlotte, North Carolina
Estimated Number of Attendees: 1500+
#35: CoreCon
VISIT THEM HERE: https://www.fargocorecon.org/
The next theme for CoreCon is dragons, so anyone who enjoys fantasy gameboard activities with a dragon influence will enjoy this con. It also includes other media, such as sci-fi, fantasy, and video recreations. They provide open gaming with an extensive library of 100 + games of varying time & level of challenge. Check it out for DND, Pathfinder, demos of various activities throughout the event and the CoreCon Championship offering $100 top prize to Paradox Comics-N-Cards.
Dates: May 21 to 24, 2020
Venue/City: Holiday Inn in Fargo, North Dakota
Estimated Number of Attendees: 800+
#36: Origins Game Fair
VISIT THEM HERE: https://www.originsgamefair.com/
This convention has been held for more than 45 years and features tabletop recreations, RPGs, cosplay, and more. Their vision of “a activity on every table, a table for every gamer” is put into practice with over five thousand events held each year!
Dates: June 17 to 21, 2020
Venue/City: Columbus, Ohio
Estimated Number of Attendees: 20,000+
#37: TokenCon
VISIT THEM HERE: https://tabletop.events/conventions/tokencon-2019
This exciting convention hosts several events throughout the year culminating in one large convention annually.
Dates: October 4 to 6, 2019
Venue/City: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Estimated Number of Attendees: 3000+
#38: GameStorm
VISIT THEM HERE: https://gamestorm.org/
Fans of all sorts of games will enjoy this general gaming convention in Oregon.
Dates: March 26 to 29, 2020
Venue/City: Portland, Oregon
Estimated Number of Attendees: 1000+
#39: The World Boardgame Championships
VISIT THEM HERE: http://www.boardgamers.org/wbcindex.html
This exciting event includes competitions for all sorts of different board activities annually, with visitors from all over the world.
Dates: July 20 to 28, 2019
Venue/City: Pennsylvania
Estimated Number of Attendees: 2000+
#40: Rhode Island Comic Con
VISIT THEM HERE: https://www.ricomiccon.com/gaming
This convention includes tabletop recreations, card games, and video activities as well as a cosplay contest.
Dates: November 1 to 3, 2019
Venue/City: Providence, Rhode Island
Estimated Number of Attendees: 1000+
#41: SCARAB Gaming Convention
VISIT THEM HERE: http://www.s-c-a-r-a-b.com/
SCARAB focuses heavily on miniatures and recreations that use them, although there are several other types of games represented here as well.
Dates: January 17 to 20, 2020
Venue/City: Columbia, South Carolina
Estimated Number of Attendees:
#42: VerminCon
VISIT THEM HERE: https://vermincon.wordpress.com/
This is a smaller event in South Dakota that encourages gameboard recreation fans to come together for casual and competitive experiences.
Dates: January 24th-26th 2020
Venue/City: Vermillion, South Dakota
Estimated Number of Attendees: 100+
#43: TN Game Days
VISIT THEM HERE: http://www.tngamedays.com/
Last year’s TN Activity Days saw over 1200 board activities played throughout the weekend, so stop by if you’re looking for a place to try out many different, unique tabletop recreation titles.
Dates: March 6 to 8, 2020
Venue/City: Franklin, Tennessee
Estimated Number of Attendees: 900+
#44: Gameboard Game Bash
VISIT THEM HERE: http://www.boardgamebash.com/
This convention includes demos of upcoming board recreations and those that are just making a splash on the scene as well as tournaments, discussions, and more.
Dates: August 9 to 11, 2019
Venue/City: Austin, Texas
Estimated Number of Attendees: 1500+
#45: BryceCon
VISIT THEM HERE: https://www.brycecon.com/
This is a family-friendly event that also includes state tabletop activity championships.
Dates: January 17 to 22, 2020
Venue/City: Bryce Canyon City, Utah
Estimated Number of Attendees: 700+
#46: CarnageCon
VISIT THEM HERE: http://carnagecon.com/
With a different location in Vermont each year, this convention has been going on for 20 years and offers competitive and cooperative group gaming experiences.
Dates: November 1 to 3, 2019
Venue/City: Killington, Vermont
Estimated Number of Attendees: 2000+
#47: PrezCon
VISIT THEM HERE: http://www.prezcon.com/
This convention runs at least one hundred gameboard games per year during its week-long event.
Dates: February 24 to March 1, 2020
Venue/City: Charlottesville, Virginia
Estimated Number of Attendees: 1000+
#48: Dragonflight Recreation Con
VISIT THEM HERE: https://dragonflight.org/
This is a smaller convention that nevertheless provides lots of tournament and competitive play opportunities for guests.
Dates: August 16 to 18, 2019
Venue/City: Seattle, Washington
Estimated Number of Attendees: 500+
#49: CharCon
VISIT THEM HERE: https://www.charcon.org
Enjoy miniatures activities, RPGs, board recreations, and more at this event-heavy convention.
Dates: July 12 to 14, 2019
Venue/City: Charleston, West Virginia
Estimated Number of Attendees: 1000+
#50: GameHole Con
VISIT THEM HERE: https://www.gameholecon.com/
This is a tabletop-only gaming convention that includes guests of importance from this genre of gaming. This coming year will feature great designers like Eric Lang and Matt Leacock!
Dates: November 5 to 8, 2020
Venue/City: Madison, Wisconsin
Estimated Number of Attendees: 1000+
Conclusion
If you’re a tabletop game fan, is it worth it to visit a gameboard activity convention at least once? Absolutely! Be sure to check out your state’s local board recreation convention to enjoy a fresh new experience within your favorite hobby. And if you aren’t that devote to tabletop games yet, don’t worry—you’re sure to find something to enjoy at the convention whether you’re a beginner to the hobby or an expert.
