The third edition of the Expo Gamers fair and conference brings representatives of Larian Studios, Electronic Arts, Housemarque and other prominent names from the world of gaming to Croatia.
Abbey will once again become one of the most exciting regional centers of contemporary popular culture and creative industries at the end of May. From May 29 to 30, 2026, third edition Expo Gamersa and the second edition Slow motion Festival bring a rich program that combines gaming, film, music, technology and digital media, confirming Opatija as a destination that successfully combines tourism, culture and industries of the future.
At today’s press conference, the program was presented by Expo Gamers organizers Marta Glažar and Valentina Mišković Yoe, Ivan Šarar in front of the Slowmotion organization, and Opatija Festival director Marin Sušanj.
“As the director of the Opatija Festival, I am extremely proud that we can be part of the projects that position Opatija as a contemporary festival and cultural destination open to new generations of audiences and new creative industries. Opatija has always been a city of festivals and culture, and projects like this confirm that it has the capacity to be a regional center of contemporary events that follow global trends”, said the director of the Opatija Festival, Marin Sušanj.
He added that he is particularly pleased that the festival program will revive several locations in Opatija, from the Gervais Center and the Drago Club to the Juraj Šporer Art Pavilion and the Marino Cvetković Sports Hall, creating a dynamic atmosphere in the city and providing the audience with a unique experience that combines education, networking and entertainment.
Expo Gamers 2026 – more than a gaming event
The organizers point out that this year Expo Gamers further expands its focus towards the business side of the gaming industry and brings global leaders of the gaming industry to Kvarner. In the Sports Hall Marino Cvetković festival thus unites the conference and fair segment, keeping its distinctive entertainment and gaming content for the loyal gaming community and the wider audience.
“This is not just another conference, Expo Gamers is a platform for creatives, experts, game developers, investors, students and fans to meet. It is important to discuss the industry of the future as well as cooperation within the region and beyond – that’s why we have dedicated several points of the program to the topics of regional development and cooperation,” said organizers Valentina Mišković Yoe and Marta Glažar.
The program features guest speakers from some of today’s most influential global gaming studios and companies such as Larian Studios, Electronic Arts (EA), Housebrand, Supercell, Quarter, CM Games, XDS Spark, IGDA (international association of game developers), global branding agency DDA, and regional giants are here Mad Head Games, Outfit7 and domestic Croteam, Fury Studios i Nanobit and numerous other international experts.
It stands out from the program Borislav Slavov from Larian Studios, the BAFTA-winning composer responsible for the music of one of the biggest gaming hits of recent years: Baldur’s Gate 3. Visitors can also meet the acting stars of the game: Tim Downie and Andrew Wincottwhose interpretations of the characters of Gale and Raphael have gained millions of fans around the world.
In the fair part visitors are expected to have fun throughout gaming zone with computers and consoles, VR and driving simulators, Indie zone with domestic and foreign independent game producers, a Retro Zone with retro consoles and games from the (not so distant) past, a corner for Cosplayers and a fan zone for autographs and photo-taking with the stars of the game Baldur’s Gate 3, esports tournaments on computers and consoles and playing challenges against famous influencers Galla Sandalla and Pabs, as well as the opportunity to win valuable and rich prizes.
Tickets are available through the official website www.expogamers.com in several categories: from standard festival tickets (with great discounts for students, high school students and children) to Business and VIP packages that include access to the business part of the conference and other contents.
Expo Gamers is realized by a marketing agency Riviera and Association 3. zmaj from Rijeka with the support of the City of Opatija, Opatija 21 doo, the Alpe-Adriatic Association, the Kultura nova Foundation, the Ministry of Science, Education and Youth of the Republic of Croatia, the Ministry of Culture and Media of the Republic of Croatia, the Croatian Tourist Board, the Croatian Audiovisual Center, Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, the Tourist Board of the City of Opatija and other sponsors.
Slowmotion – a festival of people
Slowmotion festival (Opatija, May 28-31, 2026) in its second edition brings 60 hours of programs on four stages, with 70 speakers and almost 200 participants which together form one specific format – a festival of people.
Ivan Šarar, the organizer of Slowmotion emphasizes: “We gather artists, producers, initiators of popular culture projects who create and use music, film and digital media. Through conversations, films, concerts and workshops, we open a space for meeting the audience – relaxed, immediate and inspiring. In a time when life and culture are shaped between the online and offline world, Slowmotion focuses on the people who actively create these changes – whether through content, community or active spaces.”
The festival starts on Thursday 28 May with a welcome program and a pub quiz with the Koma Association in front of the Juraj Šporer Art Pavilion. In the same location, the evening program takes place on Friday 29 May with musical performances by Lovra Mirth and Maalog, with free admission.
On Friday and Saturday, in the morning and afternoon, talks and discussions take place at the Gervais Center, among many others: Kristian Novak, Ida Prester, Konstraka, the Croatian Music Export Office, Azimut Šibenik, book&zvook, Galeb Nikačević, Maja Uzelac, David Skoko, Vuk Ćosić, Jadranka Ivaniš Yaya, Želimir Periš and many others. In parallel, we organize workshops: podcasts, animation, making a video game, using a music application, learning sign language.
The concert evening on Saturday 5/30 in the Drago Club brings performances by KOIKOI, Ki Klop, Turbo Trans Turista and Lynco.
In the film part of the program, we watch documentaries: “Nine Krogov” by Majda Širca, “Ej, Salaši” by Maja Uzelac, “Punk under the Communist Regime” by Andrej Košak, with the premiere showing of the inclusive version of the hit film “The Wedding” in the area of Primorsko Goranska County.
The novelty of this year’s Slowmotion is the Fine design market pop up and the vinyl fair, with free entry to the Gervais Center atrium, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Slowmotion is co-financed by the City of Opatija, Ministry of Culture and Media, HAVC, City of Rijeka, Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, TZ Opatija and TZ Kvarner.
Tickets are available in the Core event system, with a note that the talk and film program are free for high school and college students.