GameNExt 2026 puts Gateshead at the heart of the UK's growing games industry

Business Gateshead is encouraging businesses, investors and aspiring digital talent to take advantage of GameNExt 2026, a new industry-led event that will showcase Gateshead's growing reputation as a hub for games development and digital innovation. 

Taking place at The Glasshouse International Centre for Music on Monday 15 June as part of the wider TechNExt 2026 festival programme, GameNExt will bring together developers, studios, students, investors and industry leaders from across the UK. The event has been created in response to growing demand from the sector and aims to strengthen connections between the North East's thriving games community and national organisations, funding opportunities and industry expertise. 

Gateshead has emerged as a significant location for the games and digital sector, with a growing cluster of creative and technology businesses choosing the borough as a place to start, scale and innovate. GameNExt will provide a platform to showcase this success while helping attract further investment, talent and business growth opportunities to the area.   

Atomhawk, a video game art studio, are just one of the fantastic businesses, based in Gateshead, that are delivering a session at GameNExt. 

Becky Jackson, Operations and Commercial Director at Atomhawk said: "Gateshead is building something genuinely exciting, a growing ecosystem of talent, creativity, and opportunity. When you bring the right people together and focus on collaboration, that's when real growth happens."  

Ron Ashtiani, Co-Founder and CEO, Last Arrow Games and former CEO/founder of Atomhawk said: "Gateshead has firmly become one of the most exciting places in the UK to build a games or digital business, and it's brilliant to see that story being told on a bigger stage. GameNExt is a real statement of intent, a chance to celebrate what we've built here, connect with talent from across the country, and show investors and studios alike that the North East is a key game development hub. As someone who has grown two businesses here, I couldn't be more proud of what this community has achieved, and I can't wait to see what comes next."

The event forms part of TechNExt's week-long programme celebrating the North East's technology sector and is expected to attract attendees from across the UK, providing further opportunities to showcase Gateshead as a destination for innovation, investment and business growth.