Attendance at Game Republic New Horizons 2026 saw a significant increase of 78% compared to the previous year, with the number of visitors rising from 259 to 461.
The event took place at Riverside Stadium in Middlesbrough from October 14 to 16, attracting over 100 attendees from various regions across the UK, including London and the South East.
Notably, international participants from countries such as Denmark, Sweden, Finland, China, Italy, Japan, Canada, the US, France, and the Netherlands were also in attendance.
The number of meetings between developers, publishers, studios, entrepreneurs, and investors (via MeetToMatch) more than doubled, increasing from 100 to 257.
A special breakfast session was hosted by Nintendo business development and developer relations representatives, offering insights on working with the platform holder, development tools, publishing opportunities, and available support resources.
This year’s lineup featured 48 speakers, including industry veterans like former SCEI chairman and group CEO Ken Kutaragi and Landfall chief business officer Rebecca Lautner. Additional sessions included talks by IO Interactive CEO Hakan Abrak, Housemarque, Bithell Games, and 4J Studios.
“The conference showcased one of the most impressive arrays of speakers and companies in the UK gaming industry,” remarked Game Republic managing director Jamie Sefton.
“It was inspiring to witness the gathering of hundreds of games industry professionals from various parts of the world, converging in Middlesbrough to engage in business opportunities, attend informative sessions, and explore the remarkable talent and prospects available.”
Game Republic New Horizons 2026
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “Teesside has established itself as a prominent hub for video game development in the UK. Hosting a major industry event with renowned global names reaffirms the progress we have made.”
“Our region boasts exceptional businesses and talented individuals, and our £160 million Investment Zone dedicated to the digital and creative sectors aims to provide the necessary support for their growth. Attracting top developers, publishers, and investors to Teesside showcases our industry’s offerings, attracts new investments, and opens doors for creating more skilled job opportunities locally.”
Game Republic New Horizons is set to make a comeback in 2027.
GameIndustry.biz is proud to be a media partner of GR New Horizons 2026.