Discovery Chess Scholastic Open
US Chess-rated scholastic tournament for all divisions (U700, U1000, and U1500). Competitor check-in starts at 10:00 AM, and all sections and tournament rounds begin directly after. Presented by Discovery Chess Center.
VIP Early Access — Doors Open
VIP ticket holders get first access to the convention floor before general admission opens.
RVA Esports — Competitor Check-In
All registered competitors for Call of Duty, Super Smash Bros Ultimate, and Street Fighter 6 check in and confirm your bracket seed.
Dungeons & Dragons — Session I: Morning Quest
Gather your party and roll for initiative! Join Dungeon Master John Nelson for our first open table D&D session. Beginners and veteran players are all welcome. Character sheets and dice provided, or bring your own.
Dungeons & Dragons — Session II: Twilight Campaign
The adventure continues! Drop in for our second open table session run by Dungeon Master John Nelson. Perfect for players looking for a quick drop-in quest or a classic dungeon crawl.
Mafia — Session I: The Syndicate Awakens
The classic game of secret identities and social deduction begins! Can the townspeople discover and eliminate the hidden mobsters before they take over? Easy to learn, thrilling to play.
Indie Developer Showcase — Session I: 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM
Meet indie game developers and play their latest builds. Interactive showcase session 1 of 4 across both days.
Opening Ceremony
Welcome to ImmerseCon 2026: Year of the Champion! Join us as we kick off the weekend and set the stage for two days of gaming, cosplay, STEM, and community.
Pokemon TCG Regional Warmup
Join fellow trainers in the Pokemon TCG Regional warmup event. Standard format, open to all ages and experience levels. Promos for participation.
Star Wars: Unlimited Regional Clash
May the force be with you! Experience the fast-paced gameplay of Star Wars: Unlimited. Bring your built decks or try out learn-to-play kits.
Red Bull Game Activation — Saturday Warmup
Fuel your weekend! Join the Red Bull team for free-play matches, high-score challenges, and ice-cold refreshments to kickstart your Saturday morning.
STEM Byte Career Workshop Block 1
Break into the gaming and tech industries. Learn the absolute basics of building interactive gameplay, coding loops, and setting up your first game engine workflow.
Multiverse Got Talent
The world, nay the universe needs to laugh! Using the Improbability Drive to out-maneuver the Vogon fleet; we’ve gathered personalities from across the galaxies for a brand new show! Introducing "Multiverse Got Talent", a cosplay comedy show that unites fandoms to prove that humor brings us together. Using the Improbability drive; your host, Steve Katz, will be your guide for the evening, as you journey across the bridge of the Enterprise; or the swamps of Far Far Away; or into the TARDIS itself. No matter who pops in, you will leave wanting more. Remember, Don’t Panic… cause its time to laugh! (Simply put: comedians in cosplay performing in character; and it’s a ton of fun!)
Mafia — Session II: Whispers in the Dark
The afternoon brings tension and lies. Put your deception detection skills to the test in this immersive social session. Perfect for players of all levels.
Cosplay Meetup: Video Games
Calling all video game cosplayers! Gather for group photos and community vibes. All games, all characters welcome.
Star Wars Science: What's Up With Cloning?
A presentation exploring the real science behind cloning and the fascinating roles clones play across the Star Wars universe. Where does fiction end and real biology begin?
DJ fingers — Live Convention Set
Get ready to groove! Join DJ fingers on the convention floor for a high-energy live performance featuring chiptune beats, video game remixes, and EDM anthems (Sat 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM).
STEM Byte Career Workshop Block 2
Discover careers in robotics, automation, and industrial systems. Walk through hands-on logic pipelines, AI sensor controls, and mechanical engineering essentials.
Level Up: Nerdy Women Entrepreneurs
A femme-focused panel honoring female entrepreneurs in gaming, tech, and fandom. Celebrating the women building the future of geek culture.
Gundam Construction Zone: Model Build Session
Join RVA Gunpla for a hands-on Gundam building workshop! Meet other local modelers, share building/painting techniques, and customize your own Gunpla model kits. Beginners and experienced builders alike are welcome.
Break My Game — Saturday Playtesting
Help indie developers build the next tabletop hit! Bring your playtesting hat, sit down at the BMG booths, and play unfinished game prototypes to provide critical design feedback.
Mafia — Session III: The Underworld Plot
With fewer survivors, trust is a fragile resource. Join us for a higher stakes afternoon session with veteran hosts guiding the narrative twists.
Cosplay Meetup: Anime
All anime cosplayers unite! Group photos, character callouts, and fandom love. Every series represented.
Indie Developer Showcase — Session II: 3:30 – 6:00 PM
Meet indie game developers and play their latest builds. Interactive showcase session 2 of 4 across both days.
STEM Byte Career Workshop Block 3
Enter the high-demand world of safe networks defensive strategies. Learn how professional cybersecurity agents identify threats, guard data packages, and secure the web.
Red Bull Game Activation — Saturday Surge
Keep the energy high! Test your skills in fast-paced mini-games and secure exclusive Red Bull merchandise and power-ups.
RVA Esports — Grand Finals
The top competitors battle it out on the Main Stage. Grand Finals for Call of Duty, Super Smash Bros Ultimate, and Street Fighter 6. Time to crown champions.
Mafia — Session IV: Richmond Turf War
The ultimate showdown of Saturday! A final cinematic game of Mafia with the highest intensity. Will the city be saved, or will the Syndicate rule the night?
Super Art Fight Battle
Live art competition hits the main stage! Watch artists go head-to-head creating masterpieces under pressure. Crowd votes decide the winner.
Welcome to Arcadia: Origins of the Arkosios
Be among the first to experience this thrilling new horror series. Get an exclusive sneak peek at the making of the show, watch the official trailer, and hear from its creator about the inspiration and creative process behind the chilling story. Plus, join a live Q&A with some of the actors to learn what it’s like to bring these terrifying and captivating characters to life. Don’t miss this unique behind-the-scenes look at the world of horror storytelling!
Anatomy of Play — Serious Games for Health and Fitness
What if games could do more than entertain? What if they could heal, teach, and transform how we understand human performance? This talk explores the growing role of serious games across healthcare, education, and fitness, highlighting how interactive design is reshaping rehabilitation, assessment, and learning. Attendees will gain insight into how game-driven systems can improve engagement, generate meaningful data, and unlock more accessible, scalable solutions in critical industries. As technology continues to blur the line between play and purpose, this session offers a compelling look at why serious games are becoming an essential tool for the future.