Gen Con 2026, the largest tabletop gaming convention in North America, kicks off on July 30 in Indianapolis. The event’s Exhibit Hall will be bustling with vendors showcasing their latest products. While free demos are available throughout the weekend, many games sell out quickly as eager shoppers line up for the first chance to purchase titles that won’t be widely available for months.
If you’re planning to attend Gen Con 2026, here’s a guide to 10 of the hottest games of the year, including highly anticipated tie-ins with Star Trek and The Lord of the Rings. For those who can’t make it or miss out, we’ve also included preorder links to make your shopping a little easier.
Strategy and Adventure Await
This year’s Gen Con 2026 lineup features a diverse range of games that cater to various interests and skill levels. Whether you’re a seasoned strategist or a casual gamer, there’s something for everyone. From exploring European cities to battling it out in the cosmos, these games promise hours of entertainment and strategic challenges.
Abroad: A European Adventure
Abroad the latest strategy game from the designers of Landmarks tasks players with making the most of a four-week trip to Europe. Collect postcards, pick up tips from locals, and cross experiences off your bucket list. With a huge deck of 240 cards representing locations across the continent, this game offers a high level of replayability and leaves you dreaming of your next vacation.
Find it at booth 419 or preorder at Portal Games.
Ants: Build Your Colony
Ants is making its North American debut at Gen Con 2026. This engine-building game has players compete to develop the most successful colony by gathering resources, picking up cards to build combos, and raising specialized ants to explore new territory. While you don’t directly war with your rivals, you have to pay close attention to their progress to pivot your strategy effectively.
Find it at booth 611 or preorder at Capstone Games.
Container: A Cutthroat Marketplace
Container an updated version of the classic 2007 game, is finally available after raising over $1 million on Kickstarter. In this game, the price of goods is set by other players, creating a cutthroat experience as everyone tries to outmaneuver and undercut their friends. New components and artwork enhance the experience, making it a must-play for strategy enthusiasts.
Find it at booth 2119 or preorder at Allplay.
Explore New Worlds and Build Empires
For those who love to explore and build, Gen Con 2026 offers a variety of games that let you create your own worlds and empires. From deep underground adventures to cosmic creations, these games provide a unique blend of strategy and creativity.
Drillers: Venture Deep Underground
Drillers lets you use a mech to venture deep underground in search of minerals and long-forgotten equipment. Keep track of your fuel to make it back to the surface and sell what you’ve found. Every action you take provides new opportunities for other players, so you’ll want to make your turns as powerful as possible by improving your deck and upgrading your mech.
Find it at booth 1003 or preorder at Czech Games Edition.
Entropy: Create Your Solar System
Entropy allows you to bend the universe to your will as you create your own solar system. Add stars, planets, and asteroids, and create different biomes where life can thrive. This game for astronomy enthusiasts features gorgeous art representing the cosmos and the strange creatures you can evolve based on a planet’s heat, water, and radiation levels.
Find it at booth 2527 or preorder at Board & Dice.
Hacienda: Restore Patagonia
Hacienda lets you help restore the wild lands of Argentina’s Patagonia region and build an ecotourism destination. Breed animals including capybaras, pumas, and armadillos, and build habitats by collecting sets of cards representing different terrain types and creatures. The goal is to establish a thriving wildlife preserve that visitors can admire from strategically positioned viewing platforms.
Find it at booth 215 or preorder at Pandasaurus.
Epic Battles and Fantasy Worlds
For fans of epic battles and fantasy worlds, Gen Con 2026 has some exciting titles in store. From the world of The Lord of the Rings to the Cosmere universe, these games offer a blend of strategy and immersive storytelling.
The Lord of the Rings: Circle of Conflict
The Lord of the Rings: Circle of Conflict is an asymmetric board game that mitigates long playtimes by having everyone take their turns at the same time. Two to four players control different armies fighting across Middle-earth, trying to predict what their neighbors will do to better manage resources while avoiding being outflanked. Players can unlock powerful allies like Gandalf or the Witch-king as they seek to destroy the One Ring or corrupt the Fellowship.
Find it at booth 817 or preorder at Asmodee.
Shards of Creation: A Cosmere Adventure
Shards of Creation the trick-taking game based on Brandon Sanderson’s Cosmere, released in June but immediately sold out. Gen Con 2026 is the only place you’ll be able to grab it for a while. The godlike beings known as Shards vie for influence across Sanderson’s books, and here they’re represented by beautiful cards, some with special powers that can give you more options within a trick or change your score at the end of the game.
Find it at booth 339 or preorder at Brotherwise Games.
