Melbourne is about to become the centre of the gaming universe once again, with PAX Aus 2026 revealing another massive wave of special guests set to appear at Australia's biggest gaming festival this October.
From wrestling superstars turned gaming personalities and iconic voice actors to award-winning game developers, composers and tabletop creators, the latest announcement adds even more star power to an already packed PAX Aus lineup.
Taking place at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from 9-11 October 2026, this year's event promises a celebration of gaming culture in all its forms, with fans able to experience live panels, esports, tabletop adventures, indie showcases and exclusive appearances from some of the industry's biggest names.
Austin Creed Brings Gaming and Wrestling Together
Leading the latest guest announcement is Austin Creed, known to wrestling fans worldwide as former WWE superstar Xavier Woods.
While many know Creed for his achievements inside the wrestling ring, he has also become one of gaming's most recognisable personalities through his gaming content, streaming presence and advocacy for gaming culture. His crossover success has made him a favourite among fans who love both gaming and entertainment.
His appearance at PAX Aus is expected to be one of the festival's biggest draws, offering attendees the chance to hear firsthand about his journey across both industries.
Final Fantasy XIV Fan Favourites Head to Melbourne
Fans of Final Fantasy XIV have plenty to celebrate, with Michael-Christopher Koji Fox and Toshio "Foxclon" Murouchi confirmed for PAX Aus 2026.
Koji Fox is widely regarded as one of the gaming industry's most influential localisation directors, having worked across major entries in the Final Fantasy franchise including Final Fantasy XI, Final Fantasy XIV and Final Fantasy XVI. He is also known as a lyricist and vocalist for The Primals, the official Final Fantasy XIV band.
Joining him is Murouchi, better known to players as Foxclon, who serves as Head of Square Enix's Community & Service Division and Global Community Producer for Final Fantasy XIV. Long-time fans will recognise him from the beloved Letter from the Producer LIVE broadcasts alongside producer and director Naoki Yoshida.
Their appearance is expected to be a major highlight for MMORPG fans attending the event.
X-Men Icon Lenore Zann Returns Home
Australian-born actor, author and activist Lenore Zann will also be making a special trip home for PAX Aus.
Best known as the voice of Rogue in X-Men: The Animated Series and the recent hit X-Men '97, Zann's voice acting career stretches across animation, gaming and television. Her gaming credits include fan-favourite titles such as Marvel vs. Capcom, X-Men vs. Street Fighter and Marvel Rivals.
During a special fireside chat, Zann will discuss her return to the X-Men universe, her career in entertainment and her experiences as both an author and public servant.
Acclaimed Creators and Developers Join the Lineup
PAX Aus 2026 is also welcoming some of gaming's most respected creative minds.
Gregory Louden
Australian creative director Gregory Louden has worked on some of the industry's most critically acclaimed narrative experiences. After beginning his career in visual effects on films such as Prometheus and Gravity, Louden transitioned into gaming, contributing to projects including Quantum Break, Returnal and most recently PlayStation Studios' SAROS.
His sessions are expected to provide valuable insight into storytelling, world-building and game development leadership.
Mick Gordon
Few names are as synonymous with modern game music as Mick Gordon.
The award-winning Australian composer is responsible for the explosive soundtracks behind DOOM (2016), DOOM Eternal, Wolfenstein, Prey, Killer Instinct and Atomic Heart. Known for blending heavy metal with innovative sound design, Gordon's appearance will give fans a behind-the-scenes look at how some of gaming's most iconic soundtracks are created.
Ify Nwadiwe Returns After Fan-Favourite Appearance
Following a hugely successful appearance last year, comedian, actor and writer Ify Nwadiwe is heading back to PAX Aus.
Known to many as the host of Dropout TV's Um, Actually, Nwadiwe has become a beloved figure across nerd culture thanks to appearances on Dimension 20, Smosh, Achievement Hunter and more.
His writing credits include Apex Legends, Borderlands 4, Twisted Metal and Grand Crew, making him one of the most versatile voices in modern entertainment.
The Dark Room Brings Chaos Back to PAX
One of PAX Aus' most beloved live experiences is also making a return.
John Robertson's The Dark Room combines comedy, improvisation and audience participation to create a wildly unpredictable adventure where the crowd becomes part of the story. Its unique blend of gaming and live performance has become a must-see attraction for PAX attendees.
More Tabletop, Fantasy and Community Guests
The latest announcement also includes a diverse mix of creators from tabletop gaming, fantasy literature and online content creation.
Newly announced guests include:
- Jasmine Bhullar (ThatBronzeGirl), known for her gaming and pop culture content.
- The legendary Good Games Morley team, beloved within Australia's tabletop gaming community.
- Fantasy author Isobelle Carmody, creator of the internationally acclaimed Obernewtyn Chronicles.
- Paul Tobin, Art Director at Chaosium and a creative contributor to iconic tabletop franchises including Call of Cthulhu and Pendragon.
Holly Longdale Headlines Storytime Session
These guests join previously announced Storytime speaker Holly Longdale, Executive Producer of World of Warcraft.
Longdale's session is expected to offer a fascinating look at her career working on one of gaming's most influential franchises and will officially help kick off the PAX Aus 2026 festivities.
PAX Aus 2026 Takes Over Melbourne This October
According to PAX Aus Event Director Lauren Luciani, this year's guest lineup reflects the diverse gaming community the festival celebrates.
With representatives from game development, content creation, voice acting, fantasy literature, tabletop gaming and live performance, PAX Aus 2026 is shaping up to be one of the event's biggest years yet.
As always, attendees can expect a packed weekend featuring:
- Major guest panels
- Live shows
- Esports competitions
- Tabletop gaming
- Indie game showcases
- Community meetups
- Hands-on gaming experiences
With more guest announcements and event details still to come, there's plenty for fans to look forward to before the doors open in October.
PAX Aus 2026 takes place at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from 9-11 October 2026.
