The full program for PAX Aus 2026 has been announced, with an array of fireside talks, panels, speedruns, community meet-ups and other events set to take place in Melbourne throughout the weekend of 9-11 October.
As the cliché goes, there’s something for everyone here. If you love playing games with friends, there’s plenty of opportunities to sit and game across an array of video game and tabletop game sessions. You can also play new and upcoming games on the show floor, tune in for insightful chats, make a cheeky purchase or two, and take part in game activations.
This year, there’s also a bunch of meet and greets for the event’s celebrity guests, which include voice actor Lenore Zann (the voice of Rogue in the X-Men animated series), professional wrestler and gaming content creator Austin Creed, and World of Warcraft executive producer, Holly Longdale.
You’ll likely want to dive in for yourself to get the complete rundown of the program but in the meantime, here’s our picks for the highlights of the bunch.
PAX Aus 2026 program highlights – quick links
Storytime with Holly Longdale, Executive Producer of World of Warcraft
Time: 12:00pm – 1:30pm on Friday 9 October
Location: Superloop Main Theatre
‘An 18-year veteran of the game industry, Holly Longdale has worked as a producer for a variety of games and online experiences at Disney studios, and served as a designer and ultimately executive producer of the classic MMOs EverQuest and EverQuest II before her journey led her to Azeroth. When she’s not forging new adventures in Azeroth, or reforging the realms of Kalimdor, the Eastern Kingdoms, Outland, and Northrend, Holly enjoys exploring all sorts of games – large and indie – being an overenthusiastic dog mom, and exploring IRL in fast vehicles.’
The Future of Gaming’s Past: Game Preservation in a Digital Future
Time: 12:30pm – 1:30pm on Friday 9 October
Location: Fruitbat Theatre
‘As the games industry continues its shift towards digital distribution, subscription services and online-only experiences, preserving gaming history has become one of gaming’s most important conversations. Hosted by a former games industry community manager, this panel brings together gaming curators from the National Film and Sound Archive (NFSA) and the Powerhouse Museum, alongside private collectors, to explore the future of video game preservation.’
Fireside with Mick Gordon
Time: 4:30pm – 5:30pm on Friday 9 October
Location: Quokka Theatre
‘Celebrate the extraordinary career of acclaimed composer and sound designer Mick Gordon in a special PAX Aus retrospective panel. From pulse-pounding soundtracks that have defined some of gaming’s biggest franchises to his innovative approach to audio, Mick has helped shape the way players experience games around the world. Join him as he reflects on the creative journey behind some of the industry’s most iconic IPs, sharing stories, challenges, and memorable moments from a career that has left a lasting impact on the industry.’
A Realm Reburned: The Stories Behind the Stories of Final Fantasy XIV A Hot Sauce Challenge with Koji Fox and Toshio ‘Foxclon’ Murouchi
Time: 1:00pm – 2:00pm on Saturday 10 October
Location: Superloop Main Theatre
‘We’re turning up the heat at PAX Aus with Final Fantasy XIV veterans Koji Fox, Localisation Director, and Foxclon, Global Community Producer, as they take on their toughest challenge yet: our very own hot sauce challenge. As the heat rises, they’ll answer questions, share behind the scenes stories and reflect on their time working on one of the world’s biggest MMOs, all while attempting to survive increasingly fiery sauces.’
Fireside with Lenore Zann
Time: 4:30pm – 5:30pm on Saturday 10 October
Location: Quokka Theatre
‘Australian-born, award-winning actor Lenore Zann burst onto the entertainment scene in North America at the age of 20 with her powerful portrayal of Marilyn Monroe in the theatrical rock opera Hey Marilyn! With hundreds of credits in live-action Film and TV as well as Animation, and Interactive Games, Lenore is best known and beloved by fans worldwide for her iconic voice as Rogue in the 90’s hit X-Men: The Animated Series, Disney’s X-Men ‘97, and classic games Marvel vs. Capcom, X-Men vs. Street Fighter, and more recently, Marvel Rivals. Lenore is thrilled to be coming home to Oz and meeting the Aussie gaming community at PAX Melbourne!’
Fireside with Austin Creed
Time: 11:00am – 12:00pm on Sunday 11 October
Location: Superloop Main Theatre
‘Join Austin Creed, known to wrestling fans worldwide as WWE superstar Xavier Woods, for an engaging fireside conversation exploring his unique journey across gaming, entertainment, and pop culture. From championship wrestling rings to streaming platforms and gaming events around the globe, Creed has built a remarkable career at the intersection of fandom and performance.’
Fireside with Gregory Louden
Time: 12:30pm – 1:30pm on Sunday 11 October
Location: Quokka Theatre
‘Celebrate the incredible career of Australian game developer Gregory Louden in this special fireside chat at PAX Aus. From an award-winning start in feature animation and visual effects, contributing to blockbuster films including Prometheus, World War Z, and the Oscar-winning Gravity, to becoming one of the games industry’s leading creative voices, Gregory’s journey spans some of the most exciting creative industries in the world.’
