Gaming and fan culture events at the International Convention Centre Wales (ICC Wales) have provided a £10m boost to the region’s economy since 2022, with the venue set to host two large-scale fan events next month.
This August, the Newport venue will welcome Comic Con Wales, returning for its fifth consecutive year, and the Warhammer Open Series Games Workshop, making its Welsh debut.
The growing popularity of gaming and fan culture events at ICC Wales has contributed more than £10m to the local economy since 2022, highlighting the venue’s ability to attract high-footfall consumer events and strengthen Newport’s appeal as a destination for fans and visitors.
Comic Con Wales returns to the venue on 8-9 August, extending its successful partnership with the venue into its fifth consecutive year. Since first arriving in Newport back in 2022 with a surprise appearance from wrestling star John Cena, the event has grown into one of the UK’s largest fan conventions, drawing visitors from across the UK and beyond for celebrity guests, photo opportunities, autograph sessions, live stage panels and cosplay competitions celebrating film, television, gaming, anime and comics.
Organised by Monopoly Events, Comic Con Wales continues to bring thousands of fans, exhibitors and special guests to Newport each year.
A week later, ICC Wales will host the Warhammer Open Series Games Workshop from 14-16 August, marking the event’s first ever visit to Wales.
Hundreds of players are expected for three days of Grand Tournaments across Warhammer 40,000, Warhammer Age of Sigmar, Kill Team and Warhammer Underworlds, alongside hobby workshops and the travelling Warhammer store. Many will be vying for a place at the World Championships of Warhammer in Barcelona.
Amy Phillips, head of sales at ICC Wales, said: “Five years of Comic Con Wales demonstrates the strong relationships we build with organisers and the confidence they have in ICC Wales as a venue partner. Gaming is one of Wales’s fastest-growing creative sectors, and our events calendar reflects the breadth of experiences we can offer – from trading card shows, tabletop gaming and fan conventions to the conferences and corporate events we’re renowned for.
“Whether it’s an international convention or a consumer event, our ambition is the same – to give organisers the confidence to return and grow their events with us year after year, while continuing to bring thousands of visitors into Newport and the wider region.”
The growing popularity of gaming, collectables and fan culture events at ICC Wales is reflected in strong repeat business from organisers choosing to return to the venue.
Badz & Bears Events hosted The Celtic Card Show at ICC Wales in June, bringing together collectors, traders and enthusiasts for a dedicated trading card event featuring rare cards, exclusive merchandise, trade-ins and more.
Earlier this year, the venue also hosted a successful Orbit Card Show, bringing collectors and traders together for one of the UK’s biggest events dedicated to sports cards, Pokémon, trading card games and collectables, with visitors buying, selling and trading across the weekend.
