From Insightful Panels to Cosplayers and Retro Games

Hosting its first event in 2015, Sac Gamers Expo has grown into a cornerstone of the Sacramento and Northern California gaming community. Over the years, it has expanded from a one-day event to a two-day event. After years at the Scottish Rite Masonic Center, that growth demanded a new venue, and the 2026 event took place at Cal Expo for the first time, becoming its largest event.

Sac Gamers Expo 2026 brought together gamers, industry legends, developers, retro game vendors, artists, and respected commentators for an exciting weekend. Hosted at Cal Expo Buildings A & B from October 31st to November 1st, it was one of the biggest events of Halloween weekend and one of the final major gaming events of the year in Northern California. Here is a highlight of everything I saw during my time at Sac Gamers Expo 2026.

Things to Do at Sac Gamers Expo

Sac Gamers Expo 2026 featured a variety of activities for visitors, from meeting the special guests to playing retro games or taking part in the cosplay contest or an esports tournament. With so many gathered in one place for the weekend, there was no shortage of things to enjoy. Here are some of the highlights attendees could stumble upon:

Special Guests such as singer Jason Charles Miller, voice actor Dave Rivas, content creator John Riggs, and the cast of Silent Hill and Silent Hill 2 were on hand throughout the weekend. Fans could meet them at their tables for an autograph, a photo, or some small talk. During the panels, the guests offered insight into their work and answered audience questions.

Esports tournaments were hosted on both days of the event. Participants had the chance to compete in 14 different tournaments ranging from different genres. The eSports lineup is made up of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Super Smash Bros. Melee, Tekken 8, Tekken Tag Tournament 2, Street Fighter 6, Guilty Gear Strive, Pokémon Champions, Tetris, Guitar Hero III, and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.

While not organized by Sac Gamers Expo, there were random moments in which guests would gather for a game of Pokémon Go. With several gyms around Cal Expo, there were moments when guests would gather to participate in raids. Others would take a break and catch any Pokémon within range.

Indie Games

Sac Gamers Expo was not just about insightful panels and retro games but also a chance for indie devs to showcase their work. Organized by the Sacramento Developers Collective, a number of indie developers were present to showcase their projects. During the weekend, I got to try some amazing indie titles that are out now or coming soon.

One of the first games that caught my attention was Abby Normalli in Mayhem Mansion. Its animation channels the cartoons of the 1920s and 1930s, with a macabre style that harkens back to classics like Hell’s Bells and Minnie the Moocher. It is a 3D platformer that puts players in the role of Abby Normalli as she tries to claim the treasure her late great-uncle left behind on a mysterious mansion estate. Armed with a large hammer, she will need to battle not only ghosts and traps but also her other crazy family members, who want the treasure for themselves.

D-Beat Heroes is a grid-based action RPG that follows three Defense Enforcers fighting to save the world from Lady Debellia. If you are wondering whether the anime aesthetics and RPG elements grabbed my attention, the answer is yes. Players navigate a grid and use their skills to take out foes while countering an ever-evolving battlefield. They can swap between three characters, each with special abilities that work best against certain types of opponents.

Scratchcard Hero is a roguelike deckbuilder that takes the concept of real-time combat and incorporates scratchers. Players go into battle armed with nothing but scratch-off tickets that determine their next course of action. At the same time, they build their deck to gain an edge and boost their stats. Be warned: not all prizes will help you overcome your foes.

The Exhibitors Hall

The Exhibitors’ Hall was set up on the main floor of Building A, showcasing retro game merchants, TCG vendors, and artists. Above all, it was a treasure trove of classic games spanning multiple eras. Gamers could find titles and accessories for iconic consoles such as the Super Nintendo, the XBOX, and the PlayStation 2. Tabletop game accessories, plushies, artwork, and manga were also up for grabs. With so much to see, it was hard to keep a budget in check.

Rush ’N Games has been a staple of Bay Area swap meets and retro game events. Its table offered a variety of games, consoles, accessories, and collectibles. Among the standout items were a Sonic Adventure 2: Battle promotional cutout that once stood in a Fry’s Electronics and a Japanese copy of WWE SmackDown! Here Comes the Pain. It was the ideal spot for anyone looking to grow their collection or find a new game to play.

Retro Zoomin is a retro entertainment store in Downtown Roseville, well known in the community for its selection. It sells not only retro games but also movies, trading cards, and vintage toys. Sac Gamers Expo attendees would have had a hard time missing its booth, which sat up front with a massive banner announcing its presence to everyone.

Gamer’s Paradise is a locally owned retro game store in Paradise, CA, established in 2019. They sell retro video games, consoles, and accessories. At the event, their table grabbed my attention with a massive collection of PS2 titles. They also carried games for the PS3, GameCube, and Xbox, but the PS2 bins are where I spent most of my time digging.

VuBro-Z was one of the few vendors at Sac Gamers Expo that dealt exclusively in trading cards. It buys and sells cards and hosts trading card game (TCG) events at its store in Sacramento. Though tucked in the back next to the food vendors, it had no trouble grabbing attention with its sign and a display of Pokémon cards.

Funaticals is a collectibles seller that operates under the motto “Collectibles With A Cause,” with a mission to help individuals and families in need in its community. At Sac Gamers Expo, it not only promoted its work but also spread the word about other upcoming events, such as Every Now and Then at Solano Town Center in Fairfield.

Cosplayers of Sac Gamers Expo

Cosplay has become a growing part of Sac Gamers Expo, and the 2026 event drew a larger turnout than past years. While Silent Hill cosplayers dominated the show floor, there was also a strong showing of Super Mario, Deltarune, and Persona cosplayers. Here are some of the cosplayers I met during the weekend.

My Loot

No story about Sac Gamers Expo is complete without mentioning the games I walked away with. This time, my haul was a single title: a complete in box PS2 copy of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King for $20. I spotted it at a table, and with the right price and solid condition, I had to add it to my collection.

Did you get a chance to check out Sac Gamers Expo 2026? If so then share your story in the comment section below.

Disclaimer: Sac Gamers Expo provided me with a pass for the weekend.

8Bit/Digi is an independent media outlet that provides insight into the gamer community of the San Francisco Bay Area.