LFG Con — Gaming, Cosplay, and Community Festival Hof

Gaming Festival with Local Roots

LFG stands for "Looking for Group" — a term from the online gaming world where players find each other to play together. The LFG Con in Hof was launched in 2024 by Johannes Wurm, Stefan Preisinger, and Ariane and Kevin Pollak, together with the Hof district — as the first gaming fair of its kind in the Upper Franconian region. Over 2,300 visitors came to the premiere, over 5,000 in 2025 — for the third edition in 2026, around 2,500 visitors are expected, with more exhibitors, more workshops, and a larger area.

What the LFG Con Offers

The LFG Con is aimed at gamers, nerds, cosplayers, and anyone who wants to immerse themselves in the world of digital pop and gaming culture. The 2026 program includes: a large gaming area with PC, console, VR, and indie games, a retro zone with classic arcade machines and consoles from the 80s and 90s, a cosplay contest with prize money, a board game and trading card area, workshops and panels on gaming, media, and creativity, and a dealer area with artists and regional creative companies.

U18 Area and Horror Games

New in 2026 is an expanded U18 area focusing on horror games and age-appropriate content. Workshops for young gamers and cosplayers complement the offering. A retro flea market for gaming collectors will feature vintage consoles, game cards, and merchandise. Universities and vocational schools will be present with information stands, providing details on study and training paths in game design, media, and computer science.

Cosplay Contest and Gaming Tournaments

The cosplay contest has been a firm fixture of the LFG Con since its premiere — participants from all over Bavaria and Thuringia present their costumes and compete for prizes. Several gaming tournaments will be held throughout the day: classics like Super Smash Bros, Mario Kart, and FIFA, alongside e-sports show matches. The food area and chill zones round off the festival — gaming snacks, bubble tea, burgers, and pizza are available.

Freiheitshalle Hof — Venue

The Freiheitshalle Hof, located at Kulmbacher Straße 4 in the center of the independent city of Hof in Upper Franconia, is Upper Franconia's largest event hall, regularly hosting trade fairs, concerts, and sports events. With the LFG Con, Hof is establishing itself as a small but significant gaming hub in northern Bavaria — between Munich, Nuremberg, and Leipzig — filling a gap between major gaming fairs like gamescom Cologne and Dreamhack Leipzig.