Exilecon 2026 is happening
Exilecon is happening, and it’s a treat for Path of Exile players around the world. The action RPG community’s premier celebration returns to Auckland, New Zealand on November 7 and 8, 2026, marking not just another convention, but the 20th anniversary of Grinding Gear Games, the studio that has grown from a garage operation to New Zealand’s largest video game company.
A Momentous Time for the Path of Exile Franchise
The timing of ExileCon 2026 couldn’t be more significant for fans of the beloved action RPG series. Path of Exile 2 remains in early access with an impressive player base of over 565,000 monthly active players as of February 2026. The game achieved an extraordinary milestone during its early access launch, reaching over 500,000 concurrent players on Steam and establishing itself as one of the most successful early access releases in recent history.
Meanwhile, the original Path of Exile continues to demonstrate the franchise’s staying power, with the series having earned prestigious recognition including a BAFTA Award for Best Evolving Game, competing against titles like Fortnite, Destiny 2, and Final Fantasy XIV. Game Director Jonathan Rogers has expressed confidence in Path of Exile 2’s full 1.0 release arriving in 2026, stating the team wants to ensure it’s “a real banger” before launch, with completion targets focused on finishing the campaign, balancing gameplay, and perfecting the endgame experience.
Event Details and Ticket Information
ExileCon 2026 takes place at the Aotea Centre in Auckland, with festivities spanning three days. Badge pickup and a VIP dinner kick off Friday, November 6, followed by full convention days on Saturday and Sunday, November 7 and 8. The event concludes with an after party on Sunday evening.
Three ticket tiers cater to different levels of engagement. Regular tickets provide entry to both convention days, access to the after party with a drink voucher, and an exclusive digital microtransaction granted upon badge pickup. As of writing this article, 401 regular tickets remain available. VIP tickets, which have sold out, offered additional perks including priority queueing for Path of Exile 2 game demos and merchandise, VIP seating during keynote presentations, and access to the Friday developer dinner. Ultra VIP tickets, also sold out, included an exclusive Monday dinner with Game Directors and special guests, plus a physical puzzle box.
Organizers note that at least one more ticket wave will be announced later, though historically, premium tiers sell out extremely quickly. The event operates in English only, with tickets sold first come, first served. Attendees can purchase up to two tickets per Path of Exile account, and ticket names must match photo identification for entry.
What to expect at ExileCon
The convention’s centerpiece will be the ExileCon Keynote featuring live announcements from Game Directors Jonathan Rogers and Mark Roberts. Attendees will witness unannounced updates and deep dives into specific game mechanics directly from the developers. Throughout the weekend, various GGG developers will present talks covering topics from game design to engine development, offering unprecedented insight into the creation process.
For content creators, ExileCon 2026 presents unique opportunities. All the biggest Path of Exile streamers will attend, many hosting dedicated meet and greet sessions. A dedicated streamer stage will capture their live reactions to ExileCon announcements, and fans can watch them test unreleased content on demo machines. This creates ideal conditions for generating authentic, exciting content that resonates with audiences back home.
Speaking of unreleased content, all attendees gain hands on access to demo machines featuring content not yet available to the public. This exclusive gameplay opportunity allows players to experience what Grinding Gear Games has been developing while providing direct feedback to developers on site. It’s a rare chance to influence the future direction of games that have captivated millions worldwide.
Gaming, Competition, and Community
ExileCon features an exclusive card game available only at the event. Every attendee receives a pack of basic equipment cards and must battle GGG developers to earn more loot. Players can perfect their builds and challenge pinnacle bosses for exclusive rewards, creating a unique layer of convention gameplay.
Competitive players should note the race finals taking place both days, where the best Path of Exile and Path of Exile 2 racers compete for top prizes. Qualifier details will be announced in the near future, offering ambitious players the chance to compete on the biggest stage in the Path of Exile community.
Why Attend as a Content Creator
For Filipino content creators like those covering tech and gaming, ExileCon represents a significant content opportunity. The concentration of major streamers, exclusive game reveals, hands on time with unreleased content, and direct developer access creates ideal conditions for producing compelling videos, articles, and social media content. The 20th anniversary celebration of Grinding Gear Games adds historical significance to coverage, while the Path of Exile 2 updates will generate substantial viewer interest given the game’s impressive early access performance.
The convention’s structure supports content creation with dedicated streamer areas, keynote presentations perfect for reaction content, and numerous photo and interview opportunities. New Zealand’s accessibility from the Philippines, combined with the event’s timing in early November, makes travel logistics manageable for those planning international coverage.
Giancarlo Viterbo is a Filipino Technology Journalist, blogger and Editor of gadgetpilipinas.net, He is also a Geek, Dad and a Husband. He knows a lot about washing the dishes, doing some errands and following instructions from his boss on his day job. Follow him on twitter: @gianviterbo and @gadgetpilipinas.
