It’s been three years but with lockdown restrictions finally eased, rAge, the Really Awesome Gaming Expo, is back. South Africa’s granddaddy of gaming, technology and geek lifestyle events makes its return next month in December – with a few key differences, including venue.

Taking place the weekend before the December school holidays kick off, rAge 2022 will be held over 3 days from 9-11 December at Gallagher Convention Centre in Midrand, Johannesburg. Some other important information for you:

  • Times: Friday: 10:00-18:00 | Saturday: 09:00-18:00 | Sunday: 09:00-16:00
  • Day pass: R175 per person, R540 for a 4-person family pass (2 adults + 2 children aged 6 -18)
  • Weekend pass (3 days): R390 per person 
  • Kids under 6: Free

If you’ve ever attended rAge in the past, you’ll know what to expect. Along with the opportunity to get hands on with the latest games, gadgets and tech, many of the event’s signature attractions are back. These include esports contests, the NAG LAN, GES’s prestigious cosplay competition (now with a Festive “Christmas up your character” subdivision), artists’ alley, live streams, and a continual series of mainstage presentations and events.

Something new, meanwhile, is the one-day rAgeX conference, taking place on Friday, 9 December, from 9am to 6pm. Eight topics, such as the Metaverse, cryptocurrencies and NFTs, TikTok, robotics, and gamification, will be tackled by 5 speakers at a time, before concluding the session with a panel discussion. Tickets for this separate one-day conference are R600 per person.

Have any other questions about rAge? There’s a handy FAQ here, along with more information on, and entry forms for, the weekend’s various attractions.

Giveaway time

Thanks to the rAge organisers, we have 10 day passes to rAge 2022 to give away. We’ll be doing the giveaway on the basis of random draw, and here’s how to enter:

Step 1: Follow @PfangirlReviews on either Twitter or Facebook if you don’t already do so.

Step 2: Reply to this tweet and/or this Facebook post, telling us what you’re most excited for at rAge 2022.

Terms and conditions

Please only enter if you will be in Johannesburg over 9-11 December. Entries close at midnight on Sunday, 13 November. Max two entries per person. Each winner will receive one ticket.