Opatija will become the center of the European gaming world on May 29 and 30, 2026. The third edition of the leading regional conference and entertainment fair Expo Gamers has announced its official, never richer schedule. An impressive array of international guests, legends of the video game industry, and representatives of today's most powerful gaming companies such as Larian Studios, Electronic Arts (EA), Supercell, and Housemarque, as well as regional giants like Nanobit, Outfit7, Mad Head Games and Croteam, will arrive at the sunny Adriatic Riviera in the Marino Cvetković Sports Hall, confirming the status of this event as a key gamedev gathering in the region.
Over two days, Expo Gamers connects the industry and fans through a unique blend of a conference program for the general public as well as industry professionals, a series of top-notch workshops aimed at both students and professionals, and an unmissable exhibition space with games, competitions, tournaments, exhibitors, and entertainment corners. Visitors can also enjoy a beer garden and craft beers.
Exclusive "Baldur’s Gate 3" Spectacle and Meet & Greet
The biggest attraction of this year's edition is undoubtedly the arrival of key creators behind the mega-popular and multi-award-winning game “Baldur’s Gate 3”. Tim Downie (Gale), Andrew Wincott (Raphael), and Borislav Slavov, the award-winning composer responsible for the unforgettable soundtrack of this game, are coming to Opatija. Visitors will be able to hear them on several panels, and the highlight for fans is the Meet & Greet Area where they can take photos with them on Friday from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM and on Saturday from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM, as well as get autographs on exclusive posters.
Detailed Overview of the Conference Program
On Friday, May 29, 2026, at the Creative Track stage, open to all types of tickets, the program starts at 11:00 AM, and among the key lectures, panels on regional cooperation titled "The Alps-Adriatic: Building Giants in the Heart of Europe," a discussion on the gamedev evolution of local giants "From Garage to Millions," and a lecture on financing games and films through EU funds stand out. Acting star Tim Downie will talk about the experience of building the character Gale, while Borislav Slavov will teach us about the role of music in storytelling in video games. The day ends with a big gaming quiz organized by quiz enthusiasts from the Rijeka quiz scene.
At the Business Track stage designed for industry professionals, the program features panels on investing and diversifying income for small studios, a lecture on unconventional approaches to success, and how to find the right publishers and approach them. There will also be discussions on the burning topic of artificial intelligence, on outsourcing as a business model, on global success strategies from small ecosystems, and on designing video games for a global audience.
Saturday, May 30, 2026, at the Creative Track stage also brings a rich program: a conversation with honorary guest Andrew Wincott and a joint megapanel with three honorary guests on the topic "The Voice & Music of a Masterpiece - Baldur's Gate 3". For all the youth, students, and those who want to enter the video game industry, a key panel "So, You Want My Job? Breaking into the giants of industry" features leading regional and global experts. The day concludes with another big gaming quiz.
The Business Track program on Saturday focuses on scaling game design for global markets, strategies for mass success, and a lecture on inclusivity: "No diversity, No games: Why inclusion is no longer optional". Important topics on Saturday also include curriculum preparation and educational programs in gaming education, workshops on music in video games, as well as a workshop on the recognition and merits of developers and collaborators in video games. The program is rounded off with a panel of top speakers on visualizing and structuring combat in video games.
Expert workshops for a wider audience
This year's Expo Gamers brings as many as six expert workshops by top experts in English, of which four are open to the wider audience - students, hobbyists, and professionals are welcome. Esha Lovric leads the workshop "Thinking behind Success: Mindset, Culture, and Intelligence for Women in Tech & Business" which is exclusively intended for women. Nick Sweetman conducts a practical and interactive workshop "Target Your Game Art Portfolio and Get Hired" on enhancing portfolios according to current expectations of AAA studios. Julie La’Bassiere, Chief Strategy Officer for the global agency DDA, executive director of BAFTA New York, and marketing director for Tribeca Enterprises, leads the workshop "Brand like a Pro: Building a Resonating Presence / Identity" which offers an exclusive opportunity to learn about creative strategy and branding from a veteran of the entertainment industry. The workshop "Building a Strong Illustration Portfolio (What Matters from an Art Director’s View)" is led by Iga Oliwiak and provides tips on how to create a portfolio that impresses employers.
Entertainment fair, exhibitors, and Esports tournaments
The entertainment part of the fair offers all-day activities: tournaments in computer games Valorant and League of Legends as well as tournaments in games on PlayStation consoles FC26 and Tekken 8. Računala.hr Esports Zone brings 1v1 challenges in the game Trackmania against influencer Pabs and a popular title Fortnite 1v1 challenge against well-known influencer Galle Sandalle. The fair also features a Retro zone where visitors can try out old consoles and retro games, and they can further enjoy various games and activations at the fun booths of exhibitors and in the outdoor space.
This year's Expo Hall offers a rich selection of exhibitors connecting gaming with technology, education, esports, and geek culture.
Visitors can expect VR and racing simulators brought by Unreal89 VR Experience, as well as formulas and simulation systems from the Rijeka RiTeh Racing Team. The event will also feature Algebra Bernays University, the only Croatian university with gaming study programs, while Gauss Development showcases the local IT scene.
The gaming and esports segment is further enhanced by Računala.hr with its tournament and sales zone, while Trinity Airsoft prepares a special airsoft challenge.
For fans of geek and gaming merchandise, there are Puna kolica and Chichi’s Emporium ANIME SHOP, while Fanta and Kviki will present their gaming-oriented brand activations and content for the audience.
The program is further enriched by Sabers Croatia with lightsabers, Baldur’s Gate 3 Fan Zone, and Adricom presenting the board game Banda.
In the unmissable and never larger international Indie Zone, a large number of independent studios and producers will showcase their video games. With the support of the Croatian Audiovisual Centre, Artor Games from Croatia presents the game Bartalk I The Mask of the Red Death, Better Plan with the title Arrowman, Eksperimental Games with the game Jancer, GameGlis with the project Covert Koalas: Phasco, Downtown Game Studio with the title Dark Queen of Samobor, and Mad Cat Entertainment with the game Project Nevera. Additionally, the Indie zone features Mikrokozmos with the game Undercurrent, the studio I have hobbies with the title Project ULTRA, then Chunky Pixel Games x Stellar with the title Ore you serious?, ControversialGamingStudio with the demo version Make YOUR Way, Team Blanc with the game Masked Revenge, who are also this year's winners of the Global Game Jam competition in Rijeka, New Can from Austria with the game Feed the Gods, and Label This from Slovenia with the title Menace Shrimp.
Tickets and the complete program schedule can be found on the official website www.expogamers.com. Don't miss the chance to be part of the strongest gaming weekend in Opatija!
