Canberra Games Society Inc

17/02/2026

Post Cancon 2026 player and Spectator survey

To help us see the impact Cancon has on the ACT economy, as well as learning what we did good and less good, here is the link to the annual Post event survey.

https://forms.gle/oHfqSa9ZPUizMPRG6

If you attended Cancon this year, either as a player or member of the public, your input is welcome.

30/01/2026

Hey all,

Steve, the President of CGS here. A new friend to CGS is Peter Shum. Peter is a friend of mine from the ACT Scale Model Society where he's the Vice President and also in charge of the audio-visual side of the club. (Of note, the ACTSMS holds the largest scale model show in Australia in November each year! Not bad for the little ACT, holding the two biggest shows of their genera!)

As one of the first steps in fostering some better cooperation between our clubs and in supporting the hobbies, Peter volunteered his time to do some video and photography across CACCON.

Here are the links to the result of his efforts, and we're really happy, he's done a great job. So sit back and relax while you relive the awesome fun and memories of CANCON in your own airconditioned comfort!

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoLsffCDGviN47phSkKFdQ-R5X8PEX-AX

https://photos.app.goo.gl/EE966r25x3WCLMbq6

Shared album · Tap to view!

28/01/2026

Well folks, that's it for 2026, and CANCON 47!

On behalf of the CANCON Committee, the CANCON Volunteers and the Canberra Games Society, thank you for your participation which made the event as spectacular as it could be.

We don't know the exact count, but there were many thousands of visitors over the weekend (probably between 30 - 40 thousand across the 3 days) there to watch around 3,000 people play in the various tournaments and the board games library.

Our almost 90 traders did a roaring trade, with some actually selling out and closing their stalls up early! What an awesome result!

The Bring and Buy had another record event with over 30,000 items registered, and an estimated 11,000 items sold on the 1st day alone!

Thanks also for heeding the advice and the weather predictions, we had very few people suffering any problems from the heat. Staying well hydrated made all the difference there.

Congratulations to those who won their tournaments and thank you to everyone who had a go. The armies I saw on the tables across the weekend looked awesome, you've all taken allot of pride and care in what you put on the table which is great. It also makes it a visual buffet for the spectators as they wander through.

Once again, thank you for taking the time to participate, thank you for bringing the best behaviours and taking care of each other and thank you for being awesome people.

We look forwards to seeing you next year in 2027 for CANCON 48!

Anyway, I've gotta get back to the "Great CANCON washup!"

24/01/2026

It's going to be a hot weekend Canberra! 🥵

If you’re heading out to an outdoor event, working outside, or spending time in the sun, please take extra care.

💧 Stay hydrated:

◾️ Drink water regularly - don’t wait until you feel thirsty
◾️ Avoid excess alcohol and caffeine
◾️ Take regular breaks in the shade or cool areas

🧢 Reduce heat exposure:

◾️ Wear light, loose-fitting clothing and sun protection
◾️ Avoid strenuous activity during the hottest part of the day
◾️ Where possible, spend time indoors or in air-conditioned spaces

🚑 Know the warning signs:

◾️ Headache
◾️ Dizziness or fainting
◾️ Nausea or vomiting
◾️ Feeling weak or unwell

If someone becomes confused, collapses, has very hot skin, or stops sweating, this could be heat stroke - a medical emergency.

📞 Get help early:

◾️ For health advice: Healthdirect 1800 022 222
◾️ If symptoms worsen or are severe: call Triple Zero (000) or go to the nearest emergency department

Please also check in on older people, children, pregnant people, and neighbours, and don’t forget your pets - everyone feels the heat differently.

For updates and official advice, follow the ACT Emergency Services Agency and trusted sources.

Stay cool, plan ahead, and look out for each other. ☀️💙

24/01/2026

For any players attempting to access the games library for late night gaming, please access the library through the link building between B and C pavilions.

Thank you.

24/01/2026

Hi there everyone, day 1 of Cancon 2026 is going fantastically! It's huge, it's busy, dice are rolling and the traders are selling lots of their wears.

We would however ask if you could please take care when parking so as not to block others in on this very hot day.

Take care all, drink plenty of water and stay in the safe a much as possible.

21/01/2026

ONLINE Tickets for Miniature Tournaments and the Games library are now closed.
This was to give me some chance to create and send player lists to the TOs so they can do what ever they do with them.

The Games Library will be selling tickets on the days. Get there early to reduce your chance of missing out.
Tournaments will only be accepting on day entries if there is space (Hint, unlikely unless someone drops out really late).

Entry to the public and players is from 8:30am on Saturday.

CCGs (Magic etc), AMG and Role-play tickets are still available.

21/01/2026

And even more loot for Capital Bowl 2026.

Only a few days to go.
We hope everyone has all the minis ready, their water bottle full, and comfy shoes packed.

Remember, players get in from 8:30 am Saturday.

18/01/2026

Every year at Cancon, we have rather nice A0 maps on display in each hall, next to our Yellow Shirt desks. These maps help people find traders, games and all the other fun stuff at Cancon.

The map for 2026 is now also going to be loaded here.

Have a look and plan your trip to Cancon well. Those extra minutes you save finding your favourite game or trade stand could be spent looking at even more fun stuff to play or buy.

(PDF copies of the map will be available from The Cancon webpage)

17/01/2026

More news on Call to Glory Cancon preparation.

Bringing some friends along to Call to Glory at Cancon 2026…

16/01/2026

Greetings everyone,

Well we're one week out! Seven days from right now and dice will be rolling, emotions of joy and anguish will be rising and falling with the one's and sixes (or 10's and 20's), and our magnificent traders will be showing their exciting wares!

A couple of housekeeping things:

- This year again the carpark in front of Coorong pavilion is dedicated for accessibility parking. There will be parking marshals to help you find the best carpark somewhere else on the property if you aren't using the accessibility parking.

- We will have a demountable building in front of Coorong pavilion as a quiet space for those who need somewhere to get away from the noise and crowds for their mental health. Please note, this is not just a space for anyone to go and relax or converse with friends, this is a low stimulation environment for people who specifically need a sensory retreat. Anyone found to be disturbing this space will be asked to leave it. There is a comfy chair zone in Budawang and plenty of shaded space around the site if you just want to sit down and chat with friends.

- Unfortunately there won't as many water bottle refill stations as we would like. We are only anticipating there being 3 onsite, one each at Fitzroy, Coorong and Budawang pavilions as the highest population centres. PLEASE bring sufficient water and refreshments. If you're a competitor, bring an esky full of supplies. All 3 canteens onsite will be open along with the food van court outside Fitzroy for you to buy something fresh as well.

- Transport to EPIC - There is currently disruption to the light rail service passing EPIC. The way I read this though (https://www.transport.act.gov.au/news/news-and-events-items/december-2025/service-disruption), services should be back to normal on the morning of Saturday the 24th, day 1 of CANCON. If you're able to use public transport to get to EPIC, please make sure you're able to get there at the time you need to be there.

- Parking - as previously mentioned the Coorong carpark is dedicated to accessibility parking only. Parking marshals will be onsite to direct you to the available parking. PLEASE don't park 3 deep between Coorong and Fitzroy as you often see people do at other events, and follow the marshals directions.

- CANCON is a family event, but unfortunately EPIC doesn't have any specific parents rooms. If you're bringing the young ones, which is very much encouraged, please bring all the supplies you'll need to support them. There are some private spaces in the facilities at the 3 main pavilions, they're just not as comfortable as you normally find elsewhere.

- Photography and Photographers - EPIC is a public space and CANCON is a public event, so photography at the venue is completely legal. That said though, we would ask people to respect others, especially children when taking photos. If someone looks particularly photogenic, ask their permission if you want to make them the subject of your photo and respect their response.
If you see someone close by taking a photo in your direction and you don't want to be in it, just politely ask them to wait till you move on or not to take the photo.

CANCON will have a couple of dedicated photographers in high vis vests moving around the site over the weekend and they are very aware of the above points.

- Tickets for the Board Games Library are selling very well, so grab a couple and spend from 8:30AM till Midnight playing as many games as you can from the library wall! Most of those games are also available from our traders, so if you find some you really enjoy, you can buy a copy to take home!

Well, that turned into a bit of a download of info, but it turns out there's quite a bit involved in running an event of this type and size! CANCON is the biggest event of its type in Australia, and we want everyone to have a safe and fantastic time.

CANCON opens at 8:30AM each day across the weekend, so come along, bring your friends and family and have simply the best time of your year!

Take care everyone, and see you next Saturday the 24th!

Send a message to learn more

16/01/2026

Cancon in the media:

Here is a link to an ABC Drive radio interview I was luckily enough to take part in about Cancon 2026.

The discussion starts at at 13:45, and only goes for about 10 minutes.
https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/canberra-drive/drive/106215714