Gaming

The Gamers’ Lounge is open for people who have some time between showings, panels or for anyone who just wants to have fun and play games! We are pleased to announce our gaming partners in game loving crime Chip Damage, Extra Life, Game-itoba, Winnipeg Gaming Collective and Phantom Amusement.


Ai-kon’s 2026 Tournaments

Pre-Registration Available July 1st, 2026 – July 14th, 2026

Taiko No Tatsujin Rhythm Festival

Taiko No Tatsujin* returns to Gamers’ lounge with an updated tournament. Featuring the full Taiko music pass.

Time: Friday July 17th, 2026 from 4:00PM-6:00PM

Location: Tournament Area in the Gamers’ Lounge

Registration: There is a $15, non refundable, registration fee that goes towards prizing. In-person as well as online pre-registration is available July 1st, 2026 – July 14th, 2026.

Rules:

  • Registration is limited to 32 registrants
  • 1v1 matches In Taiko Mode
  • Matches are 3 random songs on hard difficulty.  Player with most wins moves on
  • Ties are a win to each player. Ties at the end of all 3 matches will go to sudden death on extreme until a winner is determined
  • Taiko drum controllers will be provided during the tournament. Other controllers are not permitted.

Tournament Break Down:

  • 1v1 Matches, best of 3 songs moves on

Please note:

  • Pre-registration closes at end of day Tuesday July 14th, 2026 and in-person registration closes 3:30PM on July 17th, 2026, or when spots are filled
  • Players must arrive early to check in the Tournament Area by 3:30AM on July 17th, 2026. Not doing so will result in not being able to participate. The registration fee is non refundable


Super Smash Bros Ultimate Friendly

“Smash Funhouse Tournament”

Our Super Smash Bros Ultimate* tournament is back x2! Our Friday tournament is more focused on chaotic, item-fueled gameplay.

Time: Friday July 17th, 2026 from 7:00PM-9:00PM

Registration: There is a $15, non refundable, registration fee that goes towards prizing. In-person as well as online pre-registration is available July 1st, 2026 – July 14th, 2026. There are 2 Smash tournaments this year. Attendees may only register for 1 of them.

Location: Tournament Area in the Gamers’ Lounge

Rules: 

  • Registration is limited to 32 registrants
  • 3 stock and 6 minute matches
  • No Mii Fighters or custom moves
  • Ai-kon will provide Gamecube or wired Switch controllers for this tournament

Tournament Break Down:

  • Round 1 up to Semis: 4 player free-for all, high items, Stage hazards, top 2 move on
  • Semis: 1v1, medium items
  • Finals: 1v1, low items, Omega stages only

Please note:

  • Pre-registration closes at end of day Tuesday July 14th, 2026 and in-person registration closes 6:30PM on Friday July 17th, 2026, or when spots are filled
  • Players must arrive early to check in the Tournament Area by 6:30PM on Friday July 17th, 2026. Not doing so will result in not being able to participate. The registration fee is non refundable
  • If a registrant registers for both Smash tournaments, their registration will be cancelled for both tournaments, and no refunds will be given as the fees are non refundable.


Ultimate Chicken Horse

The gamers’ lounge is bringing a new game to their list of tournaments this year, Ultimate Chicken Horse. A game in which 4 players create their own obstacle course, and run it to see who can (or can’t) complete it the quickest.

Time: Saturday July 18th, 2026 from 10:00AM-12:00PM

Registration: There is a $15, non refundable, registration fee that goes towards prizing. In-person as well as online pre-registration is available July 1st, 2026 – July 14th, 2026.

Location: Tournament Area in the Gamers’ Lounge

Rules:

  • Registration is limited to 32 registrants
  • 4 players per game
  • 10 rounds per game, 120 second run timer, 20 second placement timer
  • First to 3 points wins
  • If 2 players achieve above 3 points at the same time, highest score wins
  • Full point for 1st place in the round, half point for 2nd, and quarter point for 3rd in the round
  • Coin items on, half point per coin
  • Double party box on, no item restrictions 
  • Ai-kon will provide Gamecube or wired Switch controllers for this tournament

Tournament Break Down:

  • Map is always chosen at random
  • 4 person free for all, highest scorer moves on
  • Finals: 2 player free for all, highest score wins

Please note:

  • Pre-registration closes at end of day Tuesday July 14th, 2026 and in-person registration closes 9:30AM on Saturday July 18th, 2026, or when spots are filled
  • Players must arrive early to check in the Tournament Area by 9:30AM on Saturday July 18th, 2026. Not doing so will result in not being able to participate. The registration fee is non refundable


Mario Kart 8

Back by popular demand, Mario Kart 8 Deluxe* returns as a tournament this year!

Time: Saturday July 18th, 2026 from 2:30PM-4:30PM

Location: Tournament Area in the Gamers’ Lounge

Registration: There is a $15, non refundable, registration fee that goes towards prizing. In-person as well as online pre-registration is available July 1st, 2026 – July 14th, 2026. There are 2 Mario Kart tournaments this year. Attendees may only register for 1 of them.

Rules:

  • Registration is limited to 32 registrants
  • Ai-kon will provide Gamecube or wired Switch controllers for this tournament

Tournament Break Down:

  • Round 1: 4 Player races with CPU’s 150cc, best of 4 Random tracks, top player moves on
  • Round 2: Top 2 move on
  • Ties are decided with 1 race on a random track at 200cc
  • Finals are best of 4 races, each player picks a track

Please note:

  • Pre-registration closes at end of day Tuesday July 14th, 2026 and in-person registration closes 2:00PM on Saturday July 18th, 2026, or when spots are filled
  • Players must arrive early to check in the Tournament Area by 2:00PM on Saturday July 18th, 2026. Not doing so will result in not being able to participate. The registration fee is non refundable
  • If a registrant registers for both Mario Kart tournaments, their registration will be cancelled for both tournaments, and no refunds will be given as the fees are non refundable.


Super Smash Bros Ultimate Less Friendly

“Smash Big Top Tournament”

The second of our Super Smash Bros Ultimate* tournaments this year is balanced towards a more competitive feel.

Time: Saturday July 18th, 2026 from 8:00PM-10:00PM

Registration: There is a $15, non refundable, registration fee that goes towards prizing. In-person as well as online pre-registration is available July 1st, 2026 – July 14th, 2026. There are 2 Smash tournaments this year. Attendees may only register for 1 of them.

Location: Tournament Area in the Gamers’ Lounge

Rules: 

  • Registration is limited to 32 registrants
  • 3 stock and 6 minute matches
  • No Mii Fighters or custom moves
  • Ai-kon will provide Gamecube or wired Switch controllers for this tournament

Tournament Break Down:

  • Round 1-Semis: 4 player free-for all, low items, top 2 move on
  • Semis: 1v1, low items
  • Finals: 1v1, no items, Omega stages only

Please note:

  • Pre-registration closes at end of day Tuesday July 14th, 2026 and in-person registration closes 7:30 PM on Saturday July 18th, 2026, or when spots are filled
  • Players must arrive early to check in the Tournament Area by 7:30 PM on Saturday July 18th, 2026. Not doing so will result in not being able to participate. The registration fee is non refundable
  • If a registrant registers for both Smash tournaments, their registration will be cancelled for both tournaments, and no refunds will be given as the fees are non refundable.


Mario Kart World

Close out the con with a bang! Our Mario Kart World* tournament is here again.

Time: Sunday July 19th, 2026 from 10:00 AM-12:00 PM

Location: Tournament Area in the Gamers’ Lounge

Registration: There is a $15, non refundable, registration fee that goes towards prizing. In-person as well as online pre-registration is available July 1st, 2026 – July 14th, 2026. There are 2 Mario Kart tournaments this year. Attendees may only register for 1 of them.

Rules:

  • Registration is limited to 32 registrants
  • Ai-kon will provide Gamecube or wired Switch controllers for this tournament

Tournament Break Down:

  • Round 1: 4 Player races with CPU’s 150cc, best of 4 Random tracks, top player moves on
  • Round 2: Top 2 move on
  • Ties are decided with 1 race on a random track at 150cc mirror
  • Finals are best of 4 races, each player picks a track

Please note:

  • Pre-registration closes at end of day Tuesday July 14th, 2026 and in-person registration closes 9:30 AM on Sunday July 19th, 2026, or when spots are filled
  • Players must arrive early to check in the Tournament Area by 9:30 AM on Sunday July 19th, 2026. Not doing so will result in not being able to participate. The registration fee is non refundable
  • If a registrant registers for both Mario Kart tournaments, their registration will be cancelled for both tournaments, and no refunds will be given as the fees are non refundable.

*Nintendo is not a sponsor of or affiliated with these tournaments. Terms for participating in and viewing Community Tournaments using Nintendo Games.


Other Gamers’ Lounge Events

Jackbox (18+)

A new addition this year to the Gamers’ Lounge, we will be hosting some friendly late night Jackbox Party Games. Games will include what’s available in Jackbox Party Pack 3 and 4 including a list of custom Ai-kon themed questions for Quiplash.

Time: Saturday July 18th, 2026 from 10:30 PM-2 AM

Location: Tournament Area in the Gamers’ Lounge

Rules:

  • Everyone viewing/participating must be 18+
  • These are friendly party games, with nothing to be won
  • Use of discriminatory language or targeted prompts will not be tolerated
  • Once player count is full, others may join games as the audience. Please allow people to rotate in to give everyone an opportunity to play.



Our Exhibitors

Extra Life

Play Dance Dance Revolution for a great cause, supporting the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba! Come join Extra Life Winnipeg in their fundraising – they raised a whopping $1,696 at Ai-Kon 2025, can we help them break $1,700 for charity in 2026?!

Everyone who donates will also be entered into a door prize draw.

Lounge Hours:

  • Friday July 17th, 2026, 12:00PM -2:00AM
  • Saturday July 18th, 2026, 8:00AM -2:00AM
  • Sunday July 19th, 2026, 8:00PM -4:00PM

Booth Challenges:

Dance Off! Challenge the Booth Volunteers!

  • Friday July 17th, 2026, 6:00PM -10:00PM
  • Saturday July 18th, 2026, 6:00PM -10:00PM

https://www.instagram.com/extralifewinnipeg/
https://www.twitch.tv/extralifewpg
https://www.facebook.com/ELWPG/
https://extralifewpg.com/

Winnipeg Game Collective

Play video games made right here in Winnipeg! The Winnipeg Game Collective is a local nonprofit community of video game developers, and we’re bringing a slice of the Winnipeg video game development scene to the Ai-Kon Gamers’ Lounge.

Stop by throughout the con to try a wide variety of locally made video games, connect with the developers behind them, and see what’s being built in your own backyard.

Lounge Hours:

  • Friday July 17th, 2026, 12:00PM -11:00PM
  • Saturday July 18th, 2026, 8:00AM -11:00PM
  • Sunday July 19th, 2026, 8:00PM -4:00PM

Panel: 

Behind the Scenes of Game Development

  • Saturday July 18th, 2026 from 5:30pm – 7:00pm in the Gamers’ Lounge Tournament Area

Ever wonder what actually goes into making a video game? Join members of the Winnipeg Game Collective for a candid look behind the curtain. Our developers will share their real experiences and take your questions. Come curious, leave inspired.

https://discord.com/invite/gamecollective
https://www.instagram.com/winnipeggamecollective/
https://bsky.app/profile/wpggamecollective.bsky.social
https://www.twitch.tv/winnipeggamecollective
https://www.youtube.com/@winnipeggamecollective
https://www.facebook.com/WinnipegGameCollective
https://www.pegjam.com/

ChipDamage

ChipDamage is Winnipeg’s premier fighting game community. For 20 years, they have hosted competitive tournaments and weekly gaming sessions for various fighting games including Street Fighter 6, Tekken 8, Guilty Gear: Strive, and more. These days, you can find them at Garbonzo’s Polo Park every Friday evening, and announcing tournament events on their Discord server. ChipDamage is open to all skill levels and there is no membership or registration process. Just bring a controller and come play! If you’re an FGC head and you recall your favourite streamer saying “Support your locals.”, ChipDamage is your Winnipeg local!

Lounge Hours:

  • Friday July 17th, 2026, 12:00PM -10:00PM
  • Saturday July 18th, 2026, 10:00AM -10:00PM
  • Sunday July 19th, 2026, 10:00PM -4:00PM

The following are the starting times, each tournament will go for as long as required based off registration numbers.

Tournament Schedules:

  • Friday July 17, 2026
    • 6PM – Dragon Ball FighterZ
    • 7 PM – 2XKO 
    • 8 PM – Avatar Legends: The Fighting Game
  • Saturday July 18, 2026
    • 12 PM – Tekken 8
    • 1 PM – Under Night In-Birth II
    • 2 PM – Street Fighter 6
    • 3 PM – Guilty Gear: Strive
    • 4 PM – Soul Caliber 6
    • 5PM – Granblue Fantasy Versus
    • 6PM – Blazblue Central Fiction

Registration: Registration is only in person during the con at the Gamers’ Lounge Volunteer table. Persons’ can register up till the start time of each tournament. No registration limit. Bringing your own controller is encouraged!

https://discord.com/invite/7FYb7uUA76
https://www.facebook.com/chipdamage/

Game-itoba

A grass roots non-profit organisation that supports the Winnipeg and Manitoba gaming community, developers, stores, and conventions by providing demonstration services for all kinds of tabletop games (board games, card games, role-playing games and miniature games) and hosting their own events. Game-itoba partners with groups and organisations in the community to further grow the hobby.

Come check out their wide range of games for demonstrations:

Lounge Hours:

  • Friday July 17, 2026, 5:00PM-10:00PM
  • Saturday July 18, 2026, 10 AM-10 PM
  • Sunday July 19,  2026, 10 AM-4 PM

https://www.facebook.com/gameitoba
https://game-itoba.ca/