Following the initial announcement of PAX Aus 2026 returning to Melbourne this October and the reveal of Executive Producer of World of Warcraft Holly Longdale as the Storytime keynote speaker, event organisers have unleashed a massive wave of updates.

From high-profile global guests across gaming, wrestling, voice acting, and music to an unprecedented expansion of the show floor’s Tabletop precinct, Australia’s premier gaming festival is shaping up to be one of its most ambitious editions yet.

Here is everything revealed in the latest update, including special guest drops, PAX Rising, Tabletop Hall highlights, and how to lock in your badges.

Star-Studded guest lineup revealed

PAX Aus 2026 is bringing together a diverse mix of creators, voice actors, game developers, authors, and performers across all three days at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), including:

• Austin Creed: Formerly known to wrestling fans as WWE superstar Xavier Woods, Creed is a powerhouse crossover personality whose passion for gaming and popular content platforms have made him a global ambassador for gaming culture.
• Michael-Christopher Koji Fox & Toshio ‘Foxclon’ Murouchi (Square Enix): A huge treat for FINAL FANTASY XIV fans. Koji Fox—respected localisation director, lyricist, and vocalist for THE PRIMALS—joins Murouchi, Head of Square Enix’s Community & Service Division and Global Community Producer, for a special appearance celebrating FFXIV.
• Lenore Zann: The iconic voice of Rogue in X-Men: The Animated Series, X-Men ’97, and titles like Marvel vs. Capcom and Marvel Rivals. The Australian-born actor, author, and former Canadian parliamentarian will host a special fireside chat sharing stories from her career across animation, gaming, and public service.
• Gregory Louden: The Australian Creative Director at Housemarque (known for narrative work on Quantum Break and the BAFTA-winning Returnal, and director of PlayStation Studios’ SAROS) will dive into narrative design, world-building, and game development leadership.
• Ify Nwadiwe: Comedian, actor, writer, and host of Dropout TV’s Um, returns to PAX Aus after an unforgettable trip last year. Beyond his internet comedy work (Smosh, Dimension 20), Ify brings insights from writing for games like Apex Legends and Borderlands 4.
• Mick Gordon: The award-winning Australian composer behind the heavy-hitting, pulse-pounding soundtracks of DOOM (2016), DOOM Eternal, Wolfenstein, and Atomic Heart will take audiences behind the scenes of video game music composition.
• John Robertson (The Dark Room): The world-famous interactive comedy phenomenon returns to bring hilarious, high-energy chaos back to the stage.
• Jasmine Bhullar (ThatBronzeGirl): Popular creator and streamer celebrating gaming, tabletop, and pop culture communities.
• Isobelle Carmody: Renowned Australian fantasy author of The Obernewtyn Chronicles, sharing her expertise on world-building and creative storytelling.
• Paul Tobin: Art Director at Chaosium (Call of Cthulhu, Pendragon) with visual credits spanning blockbuster films like The Hobbit, Avatar, and The Chronicles of Narnia.
• Good Games Morley: The beloved tabletop team bringing their signature passion and community spirit to the festival floor.

These creators join the previously announced Holly Longdale (World of Warcraft Executive Producer), who will kick off the weekend with the official Storytime keynote presentation.

PAX Aus Indie Showcase

Beyond the blockbuster guest announcements and massive publisher booths, PAX Rising houses the best of the independent development scene, highlighting our largest selection of exciting indie tabletop and video games for your enjoyment.

As the heartbeat of innovation at the show, PAX Rising gives attendees hands-on access to breakout titles, local Australian talent, and inventive indie projects before they hit the broader market. PAX Aus has officially kicked off its exhibitor announcements across social platforms—including recent reveals on X (formerly Twitter)—giving fans their first look at the studios and titles taking over the show floor this October.

The biggest Tabletop Hall in PAX Aus history

Tabletop gaming continues to be a cornerstone of the PAX Aus experience, and 2026 will officially feature the event’s largest Tabletop Hall to date. Sponsored once again by eBay Australia, the hall is expanding with new streaming zones, exclusive interactive challenges, and major TCG showcases.

eBay Live & The Collectors Club Studio

For the first time, eBay is introducing eBay Live to PAX Aus via The Collectors Club Studio. Attendees can drop by for live streams, special guest appearances, and weekend “Penny Drops.” Festival-goers can also pick up a Collectors Club Card to complete challenges around the show floor and win exclusive prizes.

Heavy-Hitting Publishers & TCG Showcases

Trading Card Game (TCG) players will not be disappointed with this years card line, featuring:

• Wizards of the Coast: Featuring a major Magic: The Gathering presence showcasing its newest set, ‘Reality Fracture’, complete with a Learn to Play zone, dedicated MTG shop, artist meet-and-greets, and a live Commander Showdown on Saturday, October 10 in the Main Theatre. A dedicated Dungeons & Dragons retail experience will also run in collaboration with Let’s Play Games.
• Riftbound: League of Legends TCG: Following its sneak peek last year, Riftbound returns with hands-on demos led by staff for both newcomers and seasoned TCG fans.
• Asmodee & Exploding Kittens: Showcasing new and upcoming titles including Star Wars™: Unlimited – Homeworlds, Cyberpunk Edgerunners: Hunted, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Trick-Taking Game, Citadels Duel, and Schadenfreude. Demos will be available for LEGO® NINJAGO, K-Pop Demon Hunters, and horror card game Hellbreak (with scheduled tournaments on Friday). Local game designers Jay Bendixen, Ryan Boucher, Natalie Delaney-John, and Cam Jasson will also host designer sessions.
• Bandai Card Games: Learn-to-play sessions and tournaments across major franchises including One Piece Card Game, Dragon Ball Super Card Game Fusion World, Digimon, and Gundam Card Game.
• Flesh and Blood, Cyberpunk CCG, and Disney Lorcana: Introductory sessions, casual play, and competitive tournaments running across all three days.

Key dates, tickets, and prices

PAX Aus 2026 takes place at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) from October 9–11, 2026, serving as the grand finale to Melbourne International Games Week. If you are looking to grab tickets, get in soon. Three day badges are already sold out with only single days remaining at $82 AUD each, so don’t delay in locking in your ticket.