Gardacon 2026, Montichiari, Italy

• November 7, 2026
  Event date:
• November 8, 2026
  Event end:

Full gaming programme

The complete November 2026 gaming timetable has not yet been published by the organiser. However, Gardacon’s established gaming programme includes several major areas.

• Gamers Arena: Modern PC and console gaming, free-play stations, tournaments and racing games.
• Arcade area: Nearly 100 arcade cabinets featuring classic coin-op games in free-play format.
• Retrogaming: More than 100 stations covering classic consoles and home computers.
• Archeologia Informatica: Historical computers and technology presented through an interactive experience.
• Play Now!: Local multiplayer games including titles such as Overcooked 2, Stick Fight, Brawlhalla and Gang Beasts.
• Trading card gaming: Card-game activities and specialist exhibitors.
• Gaming stage: Competitive gaming and entertainment activities associated with the wider Gardacon programme.

The final November programme should be checked on the official schedule once the organiser publishes the detailed timetable.

Featured games & developers

Gardacon does not operate primarily as a developer-focused videogame conference, so the organiser has not yet published a definitive 2026 developer lineup for the November edition.

The gaming areas traditionally allow visitors to play a broad selection of current and classic titles. The retrogaming collection includes systems such as Atari 2600, Commodore 64, Nintendo Entertainment System, Mega Drive, PlayStation, Neo Geo AES, PC Engine, Vectrex and Virtual Boy.

The Play Now! section also provides local multiplayer experiences, while the wider exhibition includes gaming-related merchandise, trading cards, collectibles and specialist stores.

What to expect in 2026

Gardacon 2026 will return to Centro Fiera del Garda in Montichiari for a two-day celebration of videogames, comics, social media, anime, cosplay, pop culture and entertainment. The official organiser describes the event as featuring hundreds of videogame stations, a large retrogaming area, interactive activities, exhibitors, live stages and competitions.

The gaming programme is expected to combine modern console and PC gaming with classic arcade machines, retro consoles, multiplayer activities and specialist gaming communities. Gardacon’s established videogame areas include the Gamers Arena, Arcade area, Retrogaming, Archeologia Informatica and Play Now! indie multiplayer section.

The wider event also brings together gaming with comics, manga, collectibles, cosplay, trading cards, K-pop, creators and Japanese pop culture, making the exhibition broader than a conventional gaming convention.

Event dates

Gardacon 2026 will take place on Saturday, November 7 and Sunday, November 8, 2026.

• Saturday, November 7: 10:00 am–7:00 pm
• Sunday, November 8: 10:00 am–7:00 pm
• Duration: Two days
• Venue: Centro Fiera del Garda, Montichiari, Italy

The official Gardacon website confirms both the November dates and daily opening hours.

Visiting this event? Don’t miss out on these amazing activities and local experiences while you’re here.

Venue & exhibition site

Gardacon 2026 will be held at Centro Fiera del Garda, the exhibition complex in Montichiari, in the province of Brescia.

• Venue: Centro Fiera del Garda
• Address: Via Brescia, 129, 25018 Montichiari (BS), Italy
• City: Montichiari
• Country: Italy

The venue is positioned within the wider area between Brescia, Verona and Mantua, making the event accessible to visitors from several parts of northern Italy.

Esports tournaments & competitions

Gardacon’s gaming programme includes tournament areas alongside free-play stations. The organiser describes the Gamers Arena as containing large tournament areas and a dedicated stage for competitive matches involving popular current games.

The wider event also includes competitive activities such as cosplay competitions, K-pop dance contests and card-game activities, although these are separate from traditional esports tournaments.

The specific videogame tournament titles, rules and competition registration details for the November 2026 edition have not yet been fully published.

Tournament & event schedule

The detailed November 2026 gaming schedule is still awaiting publication. Visitors should therefore check the official programme before attending for confirmed tournament times, registration requirements and gaming-stage activities.

The established format includes:

• Gamers Arena: Tournament matches and free-play sessions.
• Arcade area: Free-play classic arcade gaming.
• Retrogaming: Open access to historical consoles and computers.
• Play Now!: Local multiplayer gaming.
• Gaming-related stages: Competitive and educational gaming activities.
• Card-game activities: Collecting, demonstrations and live openings where scheduled.

The organiser’s programme page is updated as new activities are confirmed.

Ticket types

The November 2026 ticket structure should be checked when the final ticket page is updated. The latest published Gardacon admission information provides a reference for the event’s previous ticket structure.

Previous published admission rates included:

• Online daily ticket: $20.77
• Online two-day pass: $36.92
• Children up to 6: Free
• 100% disability: Free admission for the visitor and companion
• 75%–99% disability: Free admission for the visitor, with reduced admission for the companion

The published online prices were based on standard, early-bird and super-early-bird phases. The figures above use the latest published full-price rates converted from euros to USD.

VIP & premium access

Gardacon’s standard admission provides access to the activities and areas inside the fair. The organiser states that the entry ticket gives visitors access to all activities and areas included in the exhibition.

Premium experiences can be offered separately when special guests attend. For example, previous Gardacon editions have offered dedicated meet-and-greet tickets for photographs, autographs and private experiences with invited guests. Such additional experiences require the relevant ticket as well as the general event admission.

No general VIP pass for the November 2026 edition has been confirmed on the current official information.

Exhibitors & gaming companies

Gardacon’s exhibition area includes numerous specialist exhibitors selling videogames, comics, collectibles, trading cards, toys, figures, cosplay accessories and other pop-culture products.

The published exhibitor guide includes gaming-related businesses and organisations such as Funside Games Academy, Games Room ’90, GS Arcade, M.A. Retrogaming, Pitstop Videogames, Secondlife Retrogame, Shopdrcommodore, Hunter Games and several trading-card specialists.

The exhibitor list may change between editions, so the final November floor plan should be consulted for confirmed 2026 participants and stand locations.

Exhibition halls & gaming zones

Gardacon’s gaming experience is divided into specialist areas rather than a single gaming hall.

• Gamers Arena: Current-generation PC and console gaming, tournaments, racing games and free play.
• Arcade area: Classic arcade cabinets available for free play.
• Retrogaming: Historical consoles and home computers.
• Archeologia Informatica: Interactive displays covering the history of computers.
• Play Now!: Indie and local multiplayer gaming.
• Trading-card areas: Pokémon and other collectible card-game activities.
• Otaku area: Japanese pop culture, manga, games, Gunpla and related activities.

Game demos & new releases

Gardacon’s gaming areas provide opportunities to try videogames directly through free-play stations, tournament setups and multiplayer areas. The Gamers Arena is specifically designed around current-generation gaming and allows visitors to test and play different titles.

The event also provides a contrasting retro experience, with classic consoles, home computers and arcade machines covering several generations of videogame history.

A confirmed list of new-release demonstrations or developer-exclusive previews for November 2026 has not yet been published.

Event rules

Visitors must follow the rules of Gardacon and Centro Fiera del Garda while using the exhibition and gaming areas.

• Admission: A valid event ticket is required for general access unless the visitor qualifies for free admission.
• Gaming areas: Visitors must follow instructions from organisers and gaming-area staff.
• Tournaments: Competitors must comply with the individual rules and registration requirements of each competition.
• Meet & greets: Special sessions can have separate access controls and numbered or timed entry arrangements.
• Venue safety: Visitors must comply with the exhibition centre’s safety and security requirements.

The organiser has previously used numbered access systems for meet-and-greet areas and specific controls for special guest sessions.

How to get there

Gardacon is held at Centro Fiera del Garda on Via Brescia in Montichiari.

The exhibition centre is conveniently positioned for visitors travelling from the Brescia, Verona and Mantua areas. Visitors arriving by car can use the regional road network around Montichiari, while those arriving by public transport can travel via nearby railway and bus connections.

The official event information identifies Centro Fiera S.p.A., Via Brescia 129, 25018 Montichiari as the venue address.

Public transport & parking

Gardacon provides parking facilities close to the exhibition area, and the official visitor information states that extensive free parking is available for the public.

• Venue: Centro Fiera del Garda
• Address: Via Brescia, 129, Montichiari
• Parking: Free public parking near the event
• Public transport: Regional bus and rail connections can be used to reach Montichiari
• Local travel: Visitors should check the latest transport timetable before travelling

Because event traffic can be heavier around opening and closing periods, visitors arriving by car should allow additional time for parking and entry.

Accommodation areas

Visitors staying overnight can choose accommodation in Montichiari or nearby cities and towns.

• Montichiari: The most convenient option for direct access to Centro Fiera del Garda.
• Brescia: A larger nearby city with more hotels, restaurants and transport connections.
• Desenzano del Garda: Suitable for visitors combining Gardacon with a Lake Garda stay.
• Verona: A practical alternative for visitors wanting to explore a larger historic city during their trip.

Staying in Montichiari is particularly convenient for visitors attending both days of the event.

Accessibility

Gardacon provides free admission arrangements for visitors with qualifying disability documentation. The official ticket information states that people with 100% disability receive free admission together with a free companion ticket, while visitors with disability ratings above 75% and holders of the Disability Card have specific companion arrangements.

Visitors who need particular assistance should contact the organiser before travelling to confirm current access arrangements, entrances and venue facilities.

Previous year’s highlights

Gardacon’s established gaming programme has featured hundreds of gaming stations, a large arcade area and extensive retrogaming collections. The event has combined modern PC and console gaming with classic systems and free-play arcade machines.

Previous editions have also included major gaming and pop-culture activities such as Card Game Showcases, gaming talks, cosplay competitions, K-pop activities and live entertainment. Recent programmes have featured creators such as CiccioGamer89 and Federic95ita in Pokémon card-opening events.

The wider exhibition has also included a substantial marketplace with gaming stores, trading-card specialists, retro-game sellers, collectibles retailers and independent creators.

Official tickets

Tickets for Gardacon 2026 are sold through the organiser’s official ticketing system. The latest published ticket page lists daily and two-day admission options, while children up to 6 years old and qualifying disabled visitors can receive free admission under the stated conditions.

For the November edition, visitors should check the official Gardacon ticket page for the final ticket phases and any updated prices before purchasing.

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