ArcadeCon – Dublin – Ireland 2025

Background & History

ArcadeCon is Ireland’s premier tabletop gaming convention, celebrating board games, role-playing games (RPGs), and live-action role-playing (LARPs). Launched in the 2010s, it has grown into a key event for Irish gaming enthusiasts, complementing conventions like Gaelcon. ArcadeCon 2025, scheduled for 7–9 November at the Clayton Hotel, Burlington Road, Dublin, offers scheduled events, an open game library, demo tables, and play-to-win games.

Organized by a community-driven team, it fosters inclusivity with a family-friendly atmosphere, drawing inspiration from events like AcadeCon (Ohio) and Gaelcon. The 2025 edition may lean into horror-themed games, reflecting trends in tabletop gaming, while supporting all gamers.

Event Highlights

• Scheduled Events: 7–9 November, 9:00 AM–11:00 PM (Fri–Sat), 9:00 AM–6:00 PM (Sun), Clayton Hotel, $10.70–$53.50 USD, includes RPGs, board games, and panels.
• Open Game Library: 7–9 November, same hours, Clayton Hotel, free with badge, 50+ games.
• Demo Tables: 7–9 November, 10:00 AM–6:00 PM, Clayton Hotel, free with badge, showcases new games.
• Play-to-Win Games: 7–9 November, drawing 9 November 2:00 PM, Clayton Hotel, free with badge, enter to win played games.
• Panels and Workshops: 7–8 November, 2:00 PM–5:00 PM, Clayton Hotel, $10.70–$53.50 USD, speculative topics (e.g., game design, GMing).
• Evening Social Event: 7–8 November, 8:00 PM–11:00 PM, Clayton Hotel, $10.70–$53.50 USD.

City

• Dublin: Ireland’s capital, known for its cultural heritage, vibrant nightlife, and landmarks like Temple Bar and Trinity College.

Main Event Address

• Primary Venue:
  • Clayton Hotel, Burlington Road: Upper Leeson Street, Dublin, D04 A318 (all events).
• Administrative Contact: ArcadeCon, c/o theacadecon@gmail.com (inquiries only, no physical address provided).
• Note: Full venue details TBD October 2025 at www.acadecon.com.

Date & Duration

• Dates: 7–9 November 2025 (Friday–Sunday).
• Duration: 3 days.
• Opening Times (Estimated):
  • Friday–Saturday: 8:00 AM–11:00 PM (doors open 8:00 AM, games 9:00 AM).
  • Sunday: 8:00 AM–6:00 PM (doors open 8:00 AM, games 9:00 AM).
• Note: Times speculative based on 2024 AcadeCon; full schedule TBD October 2025 at www.acadecon.com.

Venue / Location

• Clayton Hotel Burlington Road: Accessible, hosting all events (games, panels, library, demo tables); 5-minute walk from Leeson Street LUAS stop, paid parking (~$3 USD/hour).
• Additional Venues: None confirmed; speculative fan meetups (e.g., Temple Bar venues) TBD October 2025.
• Note: Venue details at www.acadecon.com.

Contact Information

• Email: theacadecon@gmail.com (general inquiries).
• Phone: Not provided; use email or website contact form.
• Website: www.acadecon.com (main); tabletop.events/conventions/arcadecon-2025 (ticketing).
• Social Media: Follow @AcadeCon, @TheRPGAcademy on X; facebook.com/TheAcadecon, facebook.com/TheRpgAcademy.
• Ticketing: Purchase badges via the tabletop.events/conventions/arcadecon-2025 (VIP: 7 June 2025, general: 19 August 2025). Contact theacadecon@gmail.com for accessibility or group inquiries.

Ticket Information

• How to Book: Purchase badges via the tabletop.events/conventions/arcadecon-2025 (VIP: 7 June 2025, general: 19 August 2025). Event registration opens on 4 October (VIP), 11 October (general). Cancellations until 15 October 2025 (~$2 USD fee). Contact theacadecon@gmail.com for accessibility or group bookings.
• 2025 Pricing (USD, 1 EUR ≈ 1.07 USD as of August 2025, based on 2024 AcadeCon):
  • Friday Only: €18.69 ≈ $20 USD.
  • Saturday Only: €23.36 ≈ $25 USD.
  • Sunday Only: €14.02 ≈ $15 USD.
  • Full Weekend Pass: €46.73 ≈ $50 USD.
  • After 5 PM On-Site: €4.67–€9.35 ≈ $5–$10 USD per day.
  • VIP Badge: €65.42 ≈ $70 USD (includes early registration, speculative).
  • GM Badge: €46.73 ≈ $50 USD (requires running 2+ events).
  • Demo Table Badge: €46.73 ≈ $50 USD (table fee, 2 badges included).
  • Vendor Table Badge: €60.75–€116.82 ≈ $65–$125 USD (table fee, up to 4 badges).
  • Booking Fees: ~$1–$3 USD per badge (speculative).
  • Concession/Student: ~$2–$5 USD discounts for students/over 60s (ID required, speculative).
  • Kids (Under 12): Free with adult supervision.
• Additional Notes:
  • Pricing estimated from 2024 AcadeCon ($20–$50 USD, per provided data) and Gaelcon 2024 (€15–€55 ≈ $16.05–$58.85 USD,). Specific events (e.g., Marvel Crisis Protocol, ARTEMIS) may have additional fees (~$5–$10 USD).
  • Full pricing TBD October 2025 at tabletop.events/conventions/arcadecon-2025.

Categories

• Cultural & Traditional: Celebrates Ireland’s tabletop gaming community.
• Events & Festivals: 3-day convention with games, panels, and social events.
• Education & Learning: Workshops and panels on game design and GMing.

Cultural Significance

ArcadeCon strengthens Ireland’s tabletop gaming scene, fostering community through diverse games and inclusive events. Its family-friendly approach and open game library echo Gaelcon’s legacy while drawing international inspiration (e.g., AcadeCon’s play-to-win model). The 2025 horror theme aligns with Dublin’s Halloween cultural vibe, enhancing its appeal.

Food & Drinks

• Festival Venue: Snacks/drinks at Clayton Hotel ($5–$15 USD); evening social event includes bar service ($5–$10 USD).
• Nearby Dining (Dublin):
  • The Sussex Restaurant: Upper Leeson Street ($10–$25 USD, 2-minute walk from Clayton).
  • House Dublin: 27 Leeson Street Lower ($10–$20 USD, 5-minute walk).
  • The Waterloo Bar: 36 Baggot Street Upper ($5–$15 USD, 5-minute walk).
• Alcohol Policy: Available at Clayton Hotel bar (18+); no outside alcohol permitted.

Family & Accessibility

• Family-Friendly:
  • Free for kids under 12 with supervision; family-friendly games and demo tables.
  • Workshops/panels suitable for ages 12+ with adult accompaniment.
• Accessibility:
  • Clayton Hotel is wheelchair-accessible with ramps and elevators.
  • Contact theacadecon@gmail.com for ISL or sensory accommodations.
  • Full details TBD October 2025 at www.acadecon.com.

Getting There

• By Air: Dublin Airport (DUB, 12 km from Clayton Hotel, 20-minute drive).
• Public Transport:
  • Bus: Dublin Bus to Leeson Street (5-minute walk to Clayton).
  • Luas: Green Line to Leeson Street (5-minute walk to Clayton).
• By Car: Paid parking at Clayton Hotel (~$3 USD/hour); Q-Park Stephen’s Green (~$3 USD/hour, 10-minute walk).
• Rideshare: Free Now or Uber from DUB (~$15–$25 USD to Clayton).

Program Details (Estimated for 2025)

• Confirmed Events:
  • Gaming Hours: 7–8 November, 9:00 AM–11:00 PM; 9 November, 9:00 AM–6:00 PM, Clayton Hotel, $10.70–$53.50 USD.
  • Event Registration: Opens 4 October (VIP), 11 October (general), tabletop.events/conventions/arcadecon-2025.
• Hypothetical Events:
  • Scheduled Events: 7–9 November, RPGs, board games, card games (e.g., Dungeons & Dragons, Catan), Clayton Hotel, free with badge.
  • Open Game Library: 7–9 November, 50+ games (e.g., Ticket to Ride, Settlers of Catan), free with badge.
  • Demo Tables: 7–9 November, 10:00 AM–6:00 PM, new game demos, free with badge.
  • Play-to-Win Games: 7–9 November, drawing 9 November 2:00 PM, 30–40 games, free with badge.
  • Panels/Workshops: 7–8 November, 2:00 PM–5:00 PM, speculative (e.g., game design, horror RPGs), $10.70–$53.50 USD.
  • Social Event: 7–8 November, 8:00 PM–11:00 PM, Clayton Hotel, $10.70–$53.50 USD.
• Note: Programme speculative except for confirmed dates/venue; full details TBD October 2025 at www.acadecon.com.

Past Notable Performances

• 2024 Highlights: Play-to-win games with Double Exposure, Marvel Crisis Protocol tournament, open game library with 50+ titles.
• Past Achievements: Evolved from the RPG Academy podcast, growing attendance since the 2010s, family-friendly focus.

Sustainability Initiatives

• Eco Practices: Recycling bins at Clayton Hotel; digital schedules via www.acadecon.com.
• Play-to-Win: Reduces waste by redistributing games.
• Note: 2025 details TBD at www.acadecon.com.

Educational Impact

• Workshops/Panels: Cover game design, GMing, and horror-themed RPGs ($10.70–$53.50 USD).
• Demo Tables: Introduce new games, fostering learning.
• Open Game Library: Encourages skill-sharing among players.

Cultural Activities

• Games: 7–9 November, Clayton Hotel, $10.70–$53.50 USD.
• Demo Tables: 7–9 November, 10:00 AM–6:00 PM, free with badge.
• Play-to-Win: 7–9 November, drawing 9 November 2:00 PM, free with badge.
• Panels/Workshops: 7–8 November, 2:00 PM–5:00 PM, $10.70–$53.50 USD.
• Social Event: 7–8 November, 8:00 PM–11:00 PM, $10.70–$53.50 USD.

Travel Tips

• Book Early: Badges via tabletop.events/conventions/arcadecon-2025 (VIP: 7 June, general: 19 August). Event registration opens in October 2025.
• Weather Prep: November (40–50°F) is cool and rainy; pack waterproofs.
• Explore Locally: St. Stephen’s Green (free, 10-minute walk from Clayton); Trinity College ($10 USD, 15-minute walk).
• Public Transport: Use a Leap Card for Dublin Bus/Luas (~$10 USD).
• Festival Info: Digital schedules at www.acadecon.com (no app).

Local Attractions

• Dublin:
  • St. Stephen’s Green: Public park (free, 10-minute walk from Clayton).
  • Trinity College: College Green ($10 USD, 15-minute walk).
  • Dublin Castle: Dame Street ($8 USD, 15-minute walk).

Accommodation Options

• Dublin:
  • Hotels: Clayton Hotel, Burlington Road ($100–$200 USD/night, event venue).
  • B&Bs: Ariel House, Ballsbridge ($50–$100 USD/night, 10-minute walk).
  • Hostels: Avalon House, Aungier Street ($20–$50 USD/night, 15-minute walk).
  • Airbnb: Dublin apartments ($50–$150 USD/night).
• Booking Tip: Reserve 3–6 months in advance for the November peak.

Safety & Health Measures

• Medical Support: First aid at Clayton Hotel; St. Vincent’s University Hospital (10-minute drive).
• Security: Volunteer stewards; bag checks at Clayton Hotel.
• Health Protocols: Sanitizer stations; optional masks indoors.
• Weather Preparedness: Indoor venue; umbrellas for outdoor travel.