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Early bird badges for PAX Aus 2026 went on sale today, with the gaming festival set to return to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from 9 to 11 October.
Three-day early bird badges are priced at $185, while single-day badges for Friday, Saturday or Sunday are available for $77. The early bird pricing is available for a limited time through the PAX Aus ticketing page.
The event will once again close out Melbourne International Games Week, which is now delivered by ACMI, Australia’s national museum of screen culture. The festival was first held in Melbourne in 2013 and has since grown to become Australia’s largest gaming event.
Beyond Blue partnership
PAX Aus has confirmed Beyond Blue as its official charity partner for 2026, with the mental health organisation set to have a presence on the event floor.
Georgie Harman AO, CEO of Beyond Blue, pointed to the gaming community’s capacity for peer support as a factor in the partnership.
“We’re proud to be returning to PAX as the event’s official charity partner, and to continue to be part of a community that connects people through play,” Harman explained. “Last year, we saw first-hand how strongly the gaming community shows up for one another.”
Harman noted that gaming in moderation can promote connection, friendships and a sense of belonging.
“With PAX, we can help keep mental health part of everyday life, reminding people of the importance of looking after themselves and that it’s never too early to reach out to Beyond Blue if they’re struggling,” she added.
The Beyond Blue Support Service is free and available 24/7 on 1300 22 4636 or online at beyondblue.org.au/get-support.
What to expect at PAX Land
This year’s event is themed around “PAX Land”, though specific exhibitor and publisher announcements have not yet been made. The festival typically features hands-on access to upcoming titles from publishers and indie developers, tabletop gaming, cosplay, live panels and community events.
Lauren Luciani, PAX Aus Event Director, outlined the scope of this year’s plans.
“Every year we aim to create an experience for every kind of gamer, whether you love discovering the latest games, indie gems, family tabletop game nights, mobile gaming or live panels,” Luciani told iTnews.
“We know it’s really the passion and energy of our community that powers the event. We can’t wait to see everyone back at MCEC in October for three full days of reveals, hands-on activations, community and a ridiculous amount of gaming.”
Pre-order merchandise
Alongside badges, PAX Aus is offering a run of pre-order merchandise including a reversible bucket hat, limited-edition key caps, what the organisers are calling “the legendary Pinflatable Chicken” and the official PAX Aus 2026 lanyard. Several of the items are listed as pre-order exclusives with strictly limited stock.
PAX Aus history
PAX began in Seattle in 2004 before expanding to Boston in 2010 and San Antonio in 2015. The Melbourne event launched in 2013 as the first international PAX and has run annually since. The brand also includes PAX Unplugged, a dedicated tabletop expo held in Philadelphia.
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The event is produced by RX, a global events and exhibitions company that is part of RELX. Melbourne International Games Week, which provides the broader festival context for PAX Aus, was established by the Victorian Government in 2014 and has been delivered by ACMI since transitioning from Creative Victoria.
More information is available at paxsite.com.
Last Updated on March 24, 2026 by Nick Ross
