Paizo skips PaizoCon 2026 to rethink event strategy

Fans of Pathfinder and Starfinder will need to find new ways to secure their annual fix of developer keynotes and community gaming this year. Paizo has officially announced that PaizoCon has been removed from the 2026 calendar, marking a significant break for the event that has served as the publisher’s primary digital hub since the pandemic began in 2020.

Rather than a permanent cancellation, the publisher is framing the move as a temporary hiatus to rethink the event’s format. The decision comes at a busy juncture for the company, as they navigate the transition to a new webstore and push toward the full release of Starfinder Second Edition.

Maya Coleman, Community & Social Media Specialist at Paizo, explained in a community forum:

Simply put, we think there could be better ways to make PaizoCon more enjoyable and effective for people, so we need some time to reevaluate. Hopefully we’ll be able to come up with something that works great for everyone!”

Community steps in to “Bridge the Gap”

While the official flagship event is on ice, the community is already mobilising. The Organised Play Online region has announced Bridging the Gap 2026, a grassroots online convention scheduled for 22–25 May. The event aims to replicate the multi-table “specials” and community spirit of the official con, featuring games across Pathfinder (both editions), Starfinder, and the ongoing Starfinder 2e playtest.

For those seeking official news, the loss of the “Erik Mona Keynote” – traditionally the source of major product reveals – is a blow. However, Paizo has confirmed that new product announcements will instead be shifted to standalone livestreams throughout the year.

Fans looking for an in-person fix can still find Paizo at major industry staples, including UK Games Expo, Gen Con, Origins Game Fair, and PAX Unplugged.

A period of transition

The pause of PaizoCon follows a series of logistical shifts for the Seattle-based publisher. The company recently completed a difficult migration to a new BigCommerce-powered webstore, a move that briefly disrupted subscription services and digital bundles.

There is also the matter of the “Con Bug.” Community feedback on the official forums highlighted that while many miss the in-person PaizoCon experience, the rising costs of travel and the health risks of large gatherings have made the online alternative a vital, accessible lifeline for international fans. Paizo’s “reevaluation” will likely need to balance the prestige of an in-person return with the inclusive reach of the digital format.

For those looking to keep their campaigns going in the absence of a May show, Starfinder fans can still find digital resources on Demiplane or check out the latest playtest materials for the Daredevil and Slayer classes on the Paizo blog.