BATSCon is a locally rooted, community minded, free to attend TRPG miniconvention for the San Francisco Bay Area. On October 10th, 2026, we’re bringing you organized games, panels, workshops, and more!
BATSCon is a one-day indie TRPG miniconvention for the San Francisco Bay Area brought to you by the Bay Area TTRPG Society (BATS). Last year, BATSCon featured 14 scheduled games, local designers & vendors, as well as drop-in drop-out games to engage the entire community. This year, we’re doing it all again and planning to feature panels and workshops from & for the community!
Most local conventions charge anywhere from $40-90 for a single day of programming. With a little help from our friends, BATS is able to provide this for free. Last year, so many of you walked in through the door and said “I’ve been curious about this stuff but didn’t know where to start,” or “I didn’t want to commit to paying for anything, but this seemed easy to check out,” or “Hey, I was just walking by– what are all these people doing here? Is this a cult thing?”
By offering a free and accessible convention, BATS creates a space for people who might not otherwise find their way into tabletop gaming. We are here to help make that first step feel more welcoming. We’re grateful for the support that helps make that possible.
We’ve created a range of support tiers to keep things accessible while offering meaningful ways to engage. Backing BATSCon is not equivalent to purchasing event entry; since the con is free, registration will be handled separately (but you’ll be the first to know!)
Help make the Con possible! The $10 Mouse-Eared Bat is for folks who want to support the foundation of the event, helping cover the small but essential costs that allow us to host a free, community-centered convention.
You’ll be listed in our program as a supporter, as a small thank-you for helping bring BATScon to life.
The $25 Pallid Bat get tier gets youearly access registration to some scheduled BATSCon events. Not all seats will be available this way, but you’ll get two shots at entering your favorite games instead of just one!
This tier helps us plan ahead while giving you a bit more flexibility in building your day at the con.
You’ll be listed in our program as a supporter, as a small thank-you for helping bring BATScon to life.
Everything from the previous tiers, plus access to the BATSCon 2026 Bay Area Designers Bundle. This collection includes PDF versions of full games and adventures from creators in our vibrant local design scene, including but not limited to:
It’s a way to directly support the people who make this community what it is, while getting a snapshot of the creativity happening around the Bay.
Everything from the previous tiers, plus you’re giving us some extra support to fulfill the vision.
This tier helps us go beyond a single-day event. Contributions at this level support not just BATScon, but the broader ecosystem we’re trying to build: free game nights, workshops, and spaces where people can gather, play, and create together.
If you’re excited about helping grow something ongoing and community-driven, this tier plays a big role in making that possible.
This tier represents a major contribution toward keeping BATScon free and supporting future programming.
Along with everything from previous tiers, you’ll receive a private game session for you and your friends, run by a member of the BATScon team. This could be a game to play, a playtest of your work, or a space for feedback and creative exchange.
It’s our way of saying thank you, and a chance to spend some dedicated time at the table together.
We are committed to creating a space where people feel safe, respected, and supported.
BATSCon will include:
A clear code of conduct
Safety tools encouraged at every table
Organizers available to support and respond to issues
A culture of consent, communication, and care
Additionally, BATSCon events are masks-required. While the Berkeley Public Library is not a masks-required space, we will be asking participants to wear masks within our scheduled programming spaces. Masks will be provided at no cost.
