Game Republic New Horizons 2026 takes place across 14–16 October, with the main conference and expo on Thursday 15 October at Riverside Stadium in Middlesbrough. Register through the organiser’s official event site using its “Grab your Ticket” route, check the live checkout for the current tier and terms, and plan travel to Dockside Road, TS3 6RS.
Event dates and the three-day format
New Horizons is not a single-day programme. The organiser’s 2026 schedule spans three dates, but the central conference and exhibition day is 15 October. Treat the dates as separate programme commitments when choosing a ticket, accommodation and transport.
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Wednesday 14 October: VIP reception
The opening date is a VIP reception. Access may depend on the ticket or invitation you hold, so check the registration page rather than assuming that a standard conference ticket includes this evening event. If you are travelling from outside Middlesbrough, arriving on 14 October avoids a same-day journey before the main conference.
Thursday 15 October: main conference and expo
The principal New Horizons conference and expo are held on 15 October at Riverside Stadium, Dockside Road, Middlesbrough, TS3 6RS. This is the date to prioritise if your objective is the talks, exhibition stands, investor meetings and the largest networking opportunity.
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Friday 16 October: Game Republic event
A further Game Republic event is listed for 16 October. Its access conditions and exact programme should be confirmed in the live event information. If you intend to attend all three dates, compare a multi-day option with buying separate access and include an extra night in your accommodation calculation.
How to register online
The organiser directs attendees to its official event website and the “Grab your Ticket” route. The checkout is the authority for live prices, remaining inventory, included days and booking conditions. Use this sequence to avoid selecting a ticket that does not match your plans.
- Open the official New Horizons event page. Use the organiser’s current 2026 page, not an old announcement or a cached event listing. Confirm that the page identifies the 14–16 October 2026 dates.
- Select “Grab your Ticket”. Follow that button into the current registration flow. If the button opens a separate ticketing page, check that the event name and 2026 dates remain visible before entering payment details.
- Read each ticket description. Record which programme days are included, whether the VIP reception or 16 October event requires a separate entitlement, and what networking or meeting access is attached to the tier. Do not infer inclusions from the event headline alone.
- Check the price shown at checkout. Early-bird tickets were announced at £149 when the 2026 launch was publicised. That was a launch price, not a guarantee of the amount available now; use the live checkout total and note whether taxes, booking fees or other charges are added.
- Consider membership before paying. Game Republic’s calendar says members receive free access to events and significant discounts on industry events. Confirm that your membership is active, that the benefit applies to New Horizons 2026 and that any membership code or booking route is accepted at checkout.
- Complete the attendee details exactly as requested. Use the attendee’s working email and organisation information so that confirmation messages and any meeting tools reach the right person. Review spelling before submitting; a colleague’s name on the registration can complicate on-site check-in.
- Save the confirmation. Keep the confirmation email, ticket reference and any QR code in an offline-accessible format. If the organiser issues separate instructions for the expo, meetings or reception, save those messages with the ticket.
If the checkout does not clearly state what a ticket covers, pause before payment and ask the organiser for clarification. A low headline price is not useful if it omits the day or meeting access you need.
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Ticket prices, membership and what to compare
The only published 2026 figure in the launch announcement is an early-bird price of £149. Because early-bird allocations and deadlines are time-sensitive, the amount should be treated as historical launch context until the live registration page confirms that a £149 ticket remains available. The current page should also be used to verify ticket availability, refund rules and any checkout fees.
Game Republic’s calendar describes member access as free for events and says members receive significant discounts on industry events. That statement does not establish that every New Horizons ticket is free, nor does it identify the qualifying membership level. Confirm the current member benefit and eligibility before relying on it.
When two or more ticket options appear, compare them on the following points rather than price alone:
- Programme days: identify whether the option covers 15 October only or also the 14 October VIP reception and 16 October event.
- Meeting access: check whether MeetToMatch or Investor Zone participation is included, limited by capacity or sold separately.
- Networking events: establish whether before and after parties are part of the ticket or require an invitation.
- Cancellation and transfer terms: read the exact deadline, administration charge and name-change process displayed at checkout.
- Payment total: compare the final amount, including any fee shown before confirmation, rather than an advertised starting price.
Take a screenshot or download the ticket description at purchase. Event pages can change as allocations sell out, and the saved description helps you verify what you bought.
What the main conference includes
The organiser’s description presents 15 October as a combination of conference content, business meetings and an exhibition rather than a sequence of talks alone. The listed elements are:
- inspiring talks and keynote sessions;
- MeetToMatch networking;
- an Investor Zone;
- expo stands;
- technology deep-dives;
- masterclasses;
- an Indie Stars showcase;
- funding discussions; and
- before and after parties.
These features serve different goals. A developer seeking technical detail should prioritise deep-dives and masterclasses; a studio looking for capital should review the Investor Zone and funding discussions; and someone building partnerships should reserve time for MeetToMatch and the expo. The live programme is the place to confirm session times and whether any activity requires a separate booking.
The regional visitor authority says the event brings together more than 200 business leaders (Tees Valley Combined Authority, 2026). It lists keynote and featured speakers including Ken Kutaragi, Joe ‘Stampy’ Garrett and Rebecca Lautner. Speaker names and session times can change, so verify the final agenda before arranging meetings around a particular appearance.
Game Republic managing director Jamie Sefton described the previous conference as having “the clear potential for the event to be an international flagship games industry conference that takes place in The North.” An attendee comment reproduced on the official event page called it “a fantastic day with hundreds turning out for this flagship conference.” These statements indicate the organiser’s intended scale and positioning; they are not a promise of a particular audience size for your chosen day.
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The main conference and expo venue is Riverside Stadium, Dockside Road, Middlesbrough, TS3 6RS. Put the full address into your travel plan because “Middlesbrough” alone is not sufficient for a taxi, navigation app or rail-to-venue connection.
The regional authority says the stadium is connected by road to the A66 and central Middlesbrough. If you are driving, plan the final approach from the A66 and allow time to follow event-day signs rather than relying solely on a saved map pin. The published event information does not establish parking capacity, charges, reserved spaces or a drop-off arrangement, so obtain those details from the organiser or stadium before travelling by car.
Getting to the stadium
By road
Riverside Stadium’s Dockside Road location is linked to the A66 and central Middlesbrough. Enter the postcode TS3 6RS into your navigation system and check the route on the morning of travel for roadworks or match-day restrictions. If several people are travelling together, agree a single drop-off point in advance; the public event information does not specify a dedicated coach bay or taxi rank.
By rail
Middlesbrough station is served by Northern and TransPennine Express. The regional guidance identifies connections from Newcastle, Leeds and Manchester Airport, making rail practical for attendees travelling from the North East, Yorkshire or via the airport. Check the operator’s timetable for your exact date and reserve enough time between the station and Riverside Stadium for the final leg. The event information does not publish a guaranteed walking time, shuttle bus or event-specific rail transfer, so verify that connection separately.
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Because no official shuttle or walking route is specified, treat the station-to-stadium leg as an item to confirm before departure. Check the organiser’s latest arrival instructions, then choose a taxi, local public transport or a walk only after checking the route and weather. Keep the venue postcode available if mobile coverage is poor.
Entry and on-site preparation
The published material does not set out the stadium’s check-in desk location, opening time, bag policy, security screening, accessibility arrangements or accepted forms of ticket identification. Verify those points directly on the registration page or with the organiser before the event. Do not assume that a digital ticket alone answers every entry requirement.
Prepare a small arrival pack:
- your confirmation email and ticket reference, saved offline;
- photo identification if the ticket terms request it;
- the name and contact details of the organiser or event support desk;
- meeting notes and a timetable with priority sessions marked; and
- portable power for a phone used for ticket display and networking appointments.
Arrive with enough margin to locate registration before your first scheduled meeting. The conference combines talks, expo activity and one-to-one networking, so a late arrival can affect more than the opening session.
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Accommodation near the event
The visitor authority lists three accommodation options with conference-related offers. All are subject to availability, and the offers have different conditions. Compare the final room total, cancellation terms, distance to Riverside Stadium and transport cost instead of applying a percentage discount to an unknown base rate.
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| Property | Published conference offer | Dates or conditions stated |
|---|---|---|
| Leonardo Hotel Middlesbrough | 20% off room-only and bed-and-breakfast rates | Stays from 13–16 October 2026; code MBRGRC; subject to availability; the page states a 22 September 2026 code deadline |
| Station Suites | Serviced accommodation with conference code GAMEREP26 |
Subject to availability |
| Holiday Inn Express Middlesbrough | 20% off the best flexible rate | Subject to availability |
The Leonardo offer is the only one in the published details with a specific stay window and booking deadline. If you book after 22 September, enter the code only if the hotel confirms that it still accepts it; do not assume the discount continues automatically. For Station Suites and Holiday Inn Express, confirm the exact rate, eligible nights and cancellation terms before payment.
Staying from 13 October can cover the VIP reception and main conference without changing hotels. A 15–16 October stay may be sufficient for attendees who are not attending the reception. Price both scenarios with breakfast, parking and the journey to the stadium included, since a discounted room can still cost more overall if transport is inconvenient.
A practical planning timeline
As soon as you decide to attend
- Open the official 2026 event page and read the current ticket descriptions.
- Check whether your Game Republic membership provides free event access or a discount for this event.
- Choose the programme dates you actually need before selecting a ticket.
Before booking travel
- Confirm the final ticket price, included days, meeting access and cancellation terms in checkout.
- Check train times to Middlesbrough if travelling with Northern or TransPennine Express, including the final connection to Riverside Stadium.
- Compare accommodation totals using the published codes and the required stay dates.
By 22 September 2026
If you intend to use the Leonardo Hotel offer, the visitor page states 22 September 2026 as the code deadline. Book or verify the code before that date and retain the booking confirmation.
13–14 October
Travel and check in according to your ticketed programme. If you have VIP reception access on 14 October, allow time to reach the venue and resolve any registration issue before the reception begins.
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15 October
Use the saved ticket for stadium entry, attend the conference and expo, and keep meetings in the same schedule as talks you do not want to miss. Confirm any same-day announcements at registration.
16 October
Attend the additional Game Republic event only if your ticket or separate registration includes it. Check the venue and timetable in the latest event communication rather than assuming it uses the same access arrangement as 15 October.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Making the networking programme useful
MeetToMatch, the Investor Zone and expo stands compete for the same conference hours as talks and masterclasses. Before arrival, write a one-sentence description of your studio or role, identify the type of contact you need and mark a small number of high-value meetings. Use the event’s meeting system as soon as it becomes available, but verify in the ticket information whether meeting booking is included in your tier.
For an investor conversation, prepare a concise statement of the project, development stage and funding question. For a supplier or technology discussion, note the technical problem you want to solve. This preparation lets you leave a session briefly without losing the purpose of the meeting. The organiser’s feature list confirms the presence of these networking formats, but it does not promise a meeting with a particular company or investor.
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Costs beyond the ticket
Your event budget can include the ticket, travel to Middlesbrough, the station-to-stadium journey, accommodation, meals and any optional activity outside the ticket. The published material gives no universal parking price, meal allowance, rail fare or party surcharge, so use the amounts displayed by the relevant provider rather than estimates.
For a fair comparison between ticket tiers, calculate the complete trip for the same dates. A 15 October-only ticket may require one night; adding the VIP reception or 16 October event can require two or three nights. Apply hotel codes only to the eligible rate and dates, and check whether breakfast is included or charged separately.
Information that remains important to verify
The available event and visitor pages do not expose the full live checkout terms, refund policy or accessibility arrangements. Before finalising a booking, ask the organiser or read the current registration page for:
- the exact ticket inventory and any early-bird closing date;
- which dates and evening events each tier includes;
- refund, cancellation, transfer and name-change rules;
- check-in hours, ticket identification and security requirements;
- step-free routes, accessible seating, toilets and assistance procedures;
- parking, drop-off and public-transport directions; and
- whether MeetToMatch, Investor Zone appointments or parties need separate reservations.
These details can change as the programme develops. Treat a confirmation email and the current organiser instructions as more authoritative than an older announcement.
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The price is higher than £149
£149 was the early-bird amount reported when the 2026 launch was announced. If the live checkout shows a higher figure, the early-bird allocation may have ended or you may be viewing a different tier. Compare the inclusions and the final checkout total before deciding; do not assume the higher amount is an error.
Your membership discount is not appearing
Recheck that your membership is current and that you followed the member booking route, if one is specified. Game Republic’s calendar describes free event access and significant discounts generally, but the published statement does not define the New Horizons 2026 rule. Contact the organiser before purchasing a full-price ticket if the benefit is central to your decision.
A hotel code is rejected
Confirm the code characters exactly: MBRGRC for the Leonardo Hotel offer or GAMEREP26 for Station Suites. Check the eligible dates and availability, and remember that the Leonardo page states a 22 September 2026 deadline. If the code still fails, ask the property to confirm whether the conference allocation has sold out or the offer has expired.
You cannot find venue-access instructions
The published pages do not provide the complete accessibility or arrival specification. Request the latest instructions from the organiser, including the entrance, check-in time, accessible route and parking or drop-off arrangements. Keep the response with your ticket confirmation for travel day.
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Choose the 15 October conference and expo when you want the core talks, exhibition and business networking. Add 14 October if the VIP reception is relevant to your ticket and you want an evening for introductions before the main programme. Add 16 October only after confirming the separate Game Republic event’s access and agenda. This day-by-day choice prevents paying for dates that do not serve your objective and makes accommodation planning more accurate.
Final booking checklist
- Confirm the event dates: 14–16 October 2026.
- Confirm that Riverside Stadium, Dockside Road, Middlesbrough, TS3 6RS is the 15 October venue.
- Use the official site’s “Grab your Ticket” route.
- Check the live price and compare it with the £149 launch early-bird context.
- Verify membership eligibility and any current benefit.
- Read the included days, networking access and cancellation terms.
- Save the confirmation and ticket offline.
- Plan road or rail travel via the A66 or Middlesbrough station connections.
- Book accommodation with the correct code and dates if available.
- Obtain current entry, accessibility and parking instructions before departure.
The Bottom Line
Register through the official New Horizons 2026 ticket page, use the live checkout as the authority for price and inclusions, and plan for Riverside Stadium in Middlesbrough on 15 October. The launch early-bird price was £149; membership benefits and hotel discounts must be confirmed against current availability and terms.
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