Do you rush straight for the indie booths to play tomorrow’s hits today? Or do you prefer queuing up early to snag limited-edition Pinny Arcade merch? Whatever your convention strategy looks like, it’s time to start mapping out your weekend: the official PAX Aus 2026 schedule has finally dropped!
As we gear up to take over the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC) from 9–11 October, we begin planning our beloved three-day weekend. From insightful developer talks and freeplay opportunities to high-stakes tournaments, voice-over show-downs, and late-night TTRPG shenanigans, there is an overwhelming amount of goodness to digest.
You can check out the full breakdown and build your custom itinerary directly via the official PAX Australia 2026 Schedule, but to get your planning started, we’ve pulled together a few standout sessions you won’t want to miss.
Friday Highlights
Storytime with Holly Longdale
Kick off your Friday with the traditional opening keynote! Join Holly Longdale, Executive Producer for World of Warcraft, as she shares stories, insights, and lessons learned from leading one of the most iconic MMO franchises in video game history.
The Dark Room with John Robertson
Come play the world’s only live-action text adventure – will you A. Find Light Switch? B. Go North? Escape and win $1000. Fail and YA DIE and win crap prizes. Don’t miss this award-winning interactive gaming stand-up from Mr John Robertson.
Fireside with Mick Gordon
For the audio heads and metal fans, legendary composer Mick Gordon sits down for a fireside chat to talk through building some of the most visceral, adrenaline-pumping soundtracks in modern gaming.
Saturday Highlights
A Realm Reburned: A Hot Sauce Challenge with Koji Fox and Toshio ‘Foxclon’ Murouchi
Take a deep dive into the stories behind FINAL FANTASY XIV, but with a spicy twist! Watch Michael-Christopher Koji Fox and Toshio Murouchi attempt to navigate lore questions while putting their tastebuds through pure fire.
Prescribed Respawn: The Gaming Emergency Department
Would your body actually survive the physical damage, environmental hazards, and wild feats your player character endures every time you press start? The doctors of Prescribed Respawn return to analyze video game physics through a medical lens—putting health potions, fall damage, and carrying capacity under the stethoscope.
Chaosium Presents: Call of Cthulhu Live!
Prepare your sanity for an evening of cosmic horror as Chaosium hosts a live Call of Cthulhu actual play session. Expect heavy roleplay, terrible choices, and plenty of unnatural horrors unfolding live on stage.
Sunday Highlights
1 For All D&D Live Play One-Shot with Ify Nwadiwe
Join Deerstalker Pictures’ beloved fantasy comedy team 1 For All alongside special guest Ify Nwadiwe as they take to the stage for an unscripted, highly chaotic Dungeons & Dragons live play session.
Dark and Meaningful and… Cozy? Innovations in the Cozy Genre
Cozy games aren’t just about farming and fishing anymore. This panel dives into how indie developers are blending comforting mechanics with darker, deeper, and more meaningful narrative themes.
Omegathon Final Round & PAX Aus Closing Ceremony
It all comes down to this. Watch our remaining Omeganauts battle it out in a top-secret final game to claim ultimate glory, followed immediately by the official PAX Aus closing celebration to wrap up your weekend.
Event Details & Badges
Spanning three days and taking over nearly every inch of the MCEC, attendees can map out their custom schedules using the official PAX mobile app.
Be sure to head over to the official PAX Australia Schedule page to filter events by day, location, and category. With badges selling quickly as the convention draws near, gear up for Australia’s biggest celebration of games and pop culture!
