Marking its thirteenth annual iteration, the Southern-Fried Gaming Expo is a multi-day gaming convention held at the Renaissance Atlanta Waverly Hotel and Convention Center alongside the adjacent Cobb Convention Center in Atlanta. The 2026 event runs July 31 through August 2, with Friday hours from 3:00 PM to midnight, Saturday 10:00 AM to midnight, and Sunday 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
The convention floor features more than 400 arcade and pinball machines, dozens of new and retro console systems, a large tabletop gaming library, tabletop role-playing games, organized tournaments, a vendor expo, and panel programming. Specialty attractions include the Vintage Computer Festival Southeast, flea markets, the SFGE Jam Room, virtual reality experiences, an indie game showcase, and the Artemis Spaceship Simulator. The HOTlanta Extreme Eating Challenge is also held on-site during the event weekend.
Competitive programming categories span esports tournaments, pinball competitions, costume contests, Beyblade tournaments, Age of Sigmar miniatures battles, and assorted gaming championships. The event draws arcade collectors, competitive gamers, cosplayers, and tabletop enthusiasts from across the Southeast to the Atlanta venue each summer.
Single-day adult admission for the 2026 edition is priced between $30 and $55 depending on the day, with children’s single-day passes ranging from $20 to $30. A three-day adult pass is available for $90 and a children’s three-day pass for $50. Children five and under are admitted free. Badge holders receive a 10 percent discount at Battle and Brew’s Battery Atlanta location, which is accessible via connecting bridge from the convention center.
Listed sponsors from the 2025 edition include Red Bull, Starrcade Amusements, Marco Specialties, Classic Game Rooms, Stars and Strikes, Battle and Brew, VOG Network, Meeple Madness, Wild Bill’s Olde Fashioned Soda Pop Co., and Jersey Jack Pinball. The event’s home venue at the Renaissance Atlanta Waverly and Cobb Convention Center provides large, accessible convention space in the Cobb County portion of the Atlanta metro, well connected to the Battery Atlanta entertainment district.