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PAX Aus has confirmed a further wave of exhibitors for its 2026 Melbourne event, with Nintendo, World of Warcraft developer Blizzard Entertainment and Bandai Namco Entertainment joining the Expo Hall floor.
The additions bring a string of playable game debuts to the show, including the first Australian hands-on opportunity with Nintendo Switch Sports Resort ahead of its 22 October retail release.
The event, which forms part of Melbourne International Games Week, will also feature keynote appearances from senior Blizzard staff and a range of pre-show activities in the venue’s Queue Hall.
Nintendo brings local firsts to the floor
Nintendo’s presence at PAX Aus 2026 will mark the first time Australian audiences can go hands-on with Nintendo Switch Sports Resort in a competitive, onstage setting before the title ships on 22 October.
The company’s booth will also feature an exclusive Pikmin Bloom event on the show floor, alongside playable demos for Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave and the Pokemon Pokopia Expansion Pass.
Titles from Nintendo’s publishing partners will round out the offering, with Monster Hunter Wilds, Minecraft Dungeons II and 007 First Light among those available for hands-on play.
World of Warcraft keynote and booth experience
World of Warcraft Executive Producer, Holly Longdale, will open PAX Aus 2026 as the Storytime keynote speaker. Longdale, who has spent two decades working across the video game industry, will discuss her career, the continued evolution of the Warcraft universe and the role that online player communities play in the massively multiplayer online genre.
World of Warcraft Associate Production Director, Clay Stone, will join Longdale on stage to provide an in-depth look at one of the new dungeons being added in World of Warcraft: Forever. Stone’s session will cover the development team’s design philosophy, creative process and approach to building new gameplay experiences, including a detailed dungeon walkthrough.
A dedicated World of Warcraft: Forever booth will be open across the weekend, offering attendees hands-on time with the beta. The booth will also feature a themed photo experience and a “Raid for Riches” quest card activity.
Attendees who complete quests will unlock a World of Warcraft: Forever Pinny Arcade pin and earn entry into a prize draw.
Bandai Namco brings Dragon Ball and Ace Combat
Bandai Namco Entertainment will use PAX Aus to deliver the Australian playable debut of Dragon Ball Xenoverse 3, ahead of the title’s 2027 release. Attendees will be the first in the country to go hands-on with the latest chapter in the Xenoverse series.
Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve will also feature at the Bandai Namco booth, arriving at the expo just days after its 2 October launch. The flight combat title will be available for hands-on play across the weekend.
Queue Hall to feature Street Fighter and Bluey activities
The PAX Queue Hall will open from 8:00am to 10:00am each day of the event, giving attendees a gathering space before the main show floor opens.
Ahead of the Street Fighter film’s cinema release on 15 October, the franchise will take over the Queue Hall with a branded presence. Attendees will have the chance to be pulled on stage to play Street Fighter 6 live, with Street Fighter merchandise on offer for participants.
A Bluey activity will also take place each morning in the Queue Hall. Attendees will be invited on stage to take part in “Here Come the Grannies!”, with prizes including Bluey merchandise and copies of Bluey’s Happy Snaps: Activity Book Edition.
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PAX Aus and Melbourne International Games Week
PAX Aus is Australia’s largest gaming festival. First held in Melbourne in 2013, the event connects major game publishers with their audiences. The broader PAX brand originated in Seattle in 2004 and has since expanded to include shows in Boston, San Antonio and Philadelphia.
Melbourne International Games Week, established in 2014 by the Victorian Government, is now delivered by the Australian Centre for the Moving Image, ACMI. The week-long program encompasses public activities, industry showcases, business development events, conferences and education opportunities, connecting Australia’s games sector with local and international audiences.
Last Updated on October 3, 2026 by Nick Ross
