Game Republic New Horizons 2026 attendance grew 78% to over 461 visitors

More than 100 people travelled from across the UK to Riverside Stadium in Middlesbrough to take part in the conference

Attendance at Game Republic New Horizons 2026 rose by 78% year-over-year, from 259 to 461 visitors.

Held at Riverside Stadium in Middlesbrough from October 14 to 16, the event drew more than 100 attendees from London, the South East, and across the UK.

International attendees came from Denmark, Sweden, Finland, China, Italy, Japan, Canada, the US, France, and the Netherlands.

Meetings between developers, publishers, studios, entrepreneurs, and investors (via MeetToMatch) rose from 100 to 257.

Nintendo business development and developer relations representatives hosted a breakfast session for developers and publishers to ask about working with the platform holder, developing tools, publishing opportunities, and available support resources.

This year featured 48 speakers, including former SCEI chairman and group CEO Ken Kutaragi and Landfall chief business officer Rebecca Lautner. Other sessions included IO Interactive CEO Hakan Abrak, Housemarque, Bithell Games, and 4J Studios.

"This was one of the biggest and best line-ups of speakers and companies at a games conference held in the UK," said Game Republic managing director Jamie Sefton.

"It was great to see hundreds of games industry professionals from all over the UK, Europe, Asia, Canada and the USA to Middlesbrough here to do business, enjoy talks and presentations and see the talent and opportunities on offer.”

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen added: "Teesside has built a fantastic reputation as one of the UK's leading centres for video games development, and attracting a major industry event with global names like these shows the progress we are making.

"We've got brilliant businesses and talented people right here on our doorstep, and our £160 million Investment Zone for the digital and creative sectors is about giving them the backing and opportunities they need to grow. Getting leading developers, publishers and investors into Teesside puts our region firmly in the shop window."

"It means we can showcase what our industry has to offer, attract new investment and ultimately create more highly skilled careers for local people right here."

Game Republic New Horizons will return in 2027.

GameIndustry.biz is a media partner of GR New Horizons 2026.

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