Gaming Events and Conferences Around Belfast
Over the last decade or so, as gaming has grown massively around the world, Belfast has become a hub for gaming events and conferences that cater to the needs and desires of gamers, developers and industry professionals across the gaming industry.
These events range from small niche events to huge large scale conventions which make the Belfast gaming scene as popular as it is. Getting this vibrant and inclusive industry was not an easy task but Belfast have done it and the events we are going to list below show why Belfast is one of the biggest hubs for gaming in the world.
Q-Con
On June 14th and 15th of 2025, Q-Con is being held in Belfast and is one of the most anticipated events of the year. Hosted by Queen’s University Belfast, this event is showcasing a huge range of activities ranging from video games, board games, anime screenings, cosplays and panel discussions.
In prior years, the Indie Games section of the event was smaller but this year it has been expanded to include the NI Indie Game Showcase and PlayMyDemo which will allow the developers of these indie games to show off their most recent creations. This platform for indie developers makes Q-Con one of the best gaming events in Europe and one you should definitely attend.
With Q-Con being one of the biggest in Belfast, we believe that there will be growth and new sections will pop up sooner rather than later. One section that could be added soon is a casino games section, with online casino gaming and sports betting being incredibly popular in Belfast and the UK as a whole. We believe a section that focuses on the future of online casinos with showcases by casino game developers and casino experts, like The Sun, could bring in even more eyes to the event.
QUBLAN
In 2024, an event, once again hosted by the Queen’s University Belfast in their computer science building, QUBLAN is an e-sports event organised by QUB Esports. This event featured LAN Counter-Strike 2 tournaments on June 22nd-23th and Valorant tournaments the week after on June 29th-30th.
This event encouraged players to bring their own equipment and the prize pool was funded by ticket sales which made the event not only competitive but allowed players to gain support of friends and family while having the opportunity to make the money back.
Global Game Jam Belfast
Each year in January, Farset Labs runs a convention that allows players from across the world to participate in a game development hackathon. This means participants have 48 hours to create a game that is based on a surprise theme. In the facility where this is held, players have access to 3D printers and laser cutters that can allow them to create the best game possible in this short timeframe. This event is open to players aged 18 and above and gets a huge number of participants from across the world.
Game Changers Belfast
For anyone that is involved in the gaming industry, you know how hard it can be to break into the industry and stick the landing. Well with events like Game Changers Belfast, it opens up the industry a little more and allows people who want to break into this industry to grow and learn from others.
Both people who are new to the profession or in the middle stages of their careers are welcome and with the discussions, roundtables and panels, event goers can use this conference to learn from others and get connections easier than ever before.
Comic Con Northern Ireland
As one of the most known and attended gaming events all over the world, Comic Con is loved by many. At Comic Con, you can dress in cosplay and participate in cosplay competitions, see and hear from celebrity guests and have a variety of fun gaming experiences.
Comic-Con is the biggest event of its kind in Northern Ireland and arguably the biggest in the world. People from all over the UK go to this event and you should attend the next one that is 130 days from now!
The gaming landscape in Belfast is varied and exciting with it offering a range of events that cater to all types of people interested in gaming. Whether you like cosplaying, developing games in challenge settings, meeting other industry professionals or seeing unique gaming experiences, Belfast and its surrounding areas is the perfect area for you.
These events can help you hone your skills, connect with other people and show the inclusivity of the industry. If you can, head to the nearest gaming event and show your passion for one of the most popular industries in the world.