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Mark your calendars, because the games industry’s most influential networking event is returning to the heart of London in January 2026.
Pocket Gamer Connects has established itself as the premier gathering for professionals across the gaming ecosystem, and the London edition promises to deliver exactly what the industry craves: meaningful connections, cutting-edge insights, and opportunities that simply don’t exist anywhere else. Whether you’re a solo indie developer with a breakthrough concept or a seasoned executive steering a major studio, this two-day conference offers something genuinely valuable.
Why this conference matters more than ever
The gaming landscape has never been more fragmented or more exciting. Mobile gaming continues to dominate revenue charts while PC and console experiences push technological boundaries. Meanwhile, XR technologies are finally finding their footing, and the blockchain and Web3 conversation has matured beyond the hype cycle into practical applications.
Pocket Gamer Connects understands this complexity. Rather than focusing on a single platform or technology, the conference embraces the entire ecosystem. This cross-platform approach creates networking opportunities that siloed events simply cannot match. A mobile developer might find their next publishing partner sitting next to a VR studio founder, and both could learn something valuable from an executive exploring blockchain integration.
The timing couldn’t be better. January 2026 positions the event perfectly for professionals looking to kickstart their year with fresh partnerships and strategic insights. The post-holiday period often finds teams energized and budgets newly allocated, making it an ideal moment for deal-making and collaboration.
The brewery: a venue with character
London’s The Brewery serves as the backdrop for this gathering, and the venue choice speaks volumes about the conference’s personality. Located at 52 Chiswell Street in the EC1Y district, this historic building combines old-world charm with modern functionality.
Unlike sterile convention centers that could exist anywhere in the world, The Brewery offers distinctive character that reflects London’s unique position in the global gaming landscape. The British capital has always punched above its weight in game development, producing iconic studios and legendary titles. Hosting Pocket Gamer Connects here acknowledges that legacy while looking forward to what’s next.
The intimate scale compared to massive trade shows like GDC or Gamescom creates a different atmosphere entirely. You’re not wandering endless halls hoping to bump into someone relevant. The concentrated format encourages genuine conversations and repeat interactions that build into lasting professional relationships.
What attendees should expect
The conference runs January 19-20, 2026, packing two full days with content and networking opportunities. Industry veterans familiar with the Pocket Gamer Connects format know what to expect: a carefully curated mix of keynotes, panel discussions, and practical workshops designed to deliver actionable insights rather than abstract theorizing.
The B2B focus means this isn’t a consumer-facing event filled with playable demos and cosplay contests. Instead, expect serious professionals discussing serious topics: monetization strategies, user acquisition challenges, development pipelines, publishing deals, and emerging technologies that could reshape the industry.
| Ticket Tier | Price Range | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Early Access | Starting £96 | Budget-conscious indie developers |
| Standard | Mid-range options | Established studio representatives |
| Premium | Up to £1498.80 | Executives seeking maximum access |
The pricing structure reflects the conference’s accessibility goals. Entry-level tickets starting at £96 make attendance possible for bootstrapped indie teams, while premium options provide enhanced networking access for those whose time carries significant value.
Networking that actually works
Let’s be honest about something. Most conference networking is awkward at best and useless at worst. You collect a stack of business cards, have a dozen surface-level conversations, and return home with nothing to show for your investment.
Pocket Gamer Connects has built its reputation by solving this problem. Their meeting scheduling systems and structured networking sessions create environments where meaningful connections happen consistently. The ecosystem approach means attendees represent diverse roles: developers, publishers, investors, service providers, platform holders, and media representatives all mingle in the same spaces.
This diversity creates opportunity. A developer struggling with user acquisition might meet a marketing specialist with proven solutions. An investor searching for the next breakout title could discover it over coffee with an unknown team. A service provider could land a major contract by demonstrating value to the right decision-maker.
The platform-agnostic advantage
Gaming conferences often define themselves by platform allegiance. Mobile-focused events attract mobile professionals. Console events draw console developers. This segmentation makes sense in some ways but creates artificial barriers to cross-pollination.
Pocket Gamer Connects rejects this limitation. Their explicit inclusion of mobile, PC, console, XR, blockchain, and Web3 reflects the reality that modern gaming exists across platforms. The most successful companies increasingly think in multi-platform terms, and networking events should facilitate rather than hinder that thinking.
A mobile game finding success might naturally expand to PC and console. A VR experience could find new life as a traditional screen-based title. Blockchain technology developed for one platform could transform another. These connections happen when professionals from different backgrounds share space and ideas.
Preparing to maximize your investment
Conference attendance represents a significant investment of time and money, particularly for smaller teams where every resource matters. Making that investment worthwhile requires preparation beyond simply showing up.
Research the speaker lineup once it’s announced and identify sessions aligned with your current challenges. Reach out to potential meeting partners before the event rather than hoping chance encounters deliver results. Prepare your elevator pitch until it flows naturally, because you’ll deliver it dozens of times.
Set specific goals for what you want to accomplish. Maybe you need funding and want three serious investor conversations. Perhaps you’re seeking a publisher and want to pitch to at least five viable candidates. Possibly you’re hiring and want to identify promising talent. Whatever your objectives, clarity improves outcomes.
London calling the global industry
The European gaming industry continues to grow in importance, and London remains its most internationally accessible hub. Direct flights from virtually anywhere in the world, a massive hospitality infrastructure, and an English-speaking environment remove barriers that complicate attendance at events in other cities.
For North American professionals, the trip represents a chance to explore European partnerships that might otherwise remain untapped. For Asian developers seeking Western expansion, London offers a welcoming entry point. For European studios, the convenience of staying within the continent while accessing a truly international audience makes the value proposition compelling.
The January timing does mean London winter weather, so pack accordingly. But the city compensates with its unique character, world-class dining, and entertainment options for extending the trip beyond the conference itself.
Registration opens the door
Securing your spot requires action. Registration is now available, and historical patterns suggest early booking delivers both price advantages and better meeting opportunities as the scheduling systems populate.
The ticket price range of £96 to £1498.80 accommodates various budgets and access needs. Those booking early often find the best value, while procrastinators may face sold-out tiers or premium pricing.
For team attendance, coordinating who goes and what objectives each person pursues multiplies the return on investment. A small team sending three people with different focuses can accomplish far more than one person trying to cover everything.
The games industry’s networking essential
Pocket Gamer Connects London 2026 represents more than just another conference on the calendar. It’s a concentrated opportunity to advance your professional goals in ways that remote communication simply cannot replicate. Face-to-face conversations build trust. Shared experiences create bonds. Spontaneous encounters spark ideas that scheduled calls never would.
The gaming industry moves fast, and staying connected matters more than ever. Whether you’re looking for funding, partnerships, talent, or simply fresh perspectives on persistent challenges, two days at The Brewery could deliver exactly what your business needs.
The games industry’s best networking opportunity arrives January 19-20, 2026. Will you be there?
What specific connections or insights would make Pocket Gamer Connects London worth the trip for you?
1 comment
Great event