Glasgow to host World Science Fiction Convention in 2024

Glasgow has been chosen to host the World Science Fiction Convention for the first time since 2005.

The event will take place in the city in 2024 – the third time it has been hosted in Glasgow.

A 53rd World Science Fiction Convention was held in Glasgow in 1995, as well as the 63rd a decade later in 2005.

In 2024, the event will take place between August 8 and August 12 at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC).

Visiting a different city every year, the event – known as WorldCon – was first held in New York in 1939.

It is expected to attract around 5,000 science fictions fans to Glasgow and boost the city’s local economy by around £13m.

Scottish science fiction author Ken MacLeod will be among those in attendance at the event, as well as novelist and comics writer Nnedi Okorafor, whose work includes contributions to Marvel’s Black Panther series.

Aileen Crawford, head of tourism and conventions at Glasgow Life, congratulated those who had worked on the bid to bring the event to the city.

“The return of the World Science Fiction Convention is fantastic for Glasgow and demonstrates the city’s status as a global conference destination,” she said.

“Credit and congratulations must go to the dedicated UK team who have worked tirelessly over a number of years on this bid.

“We look forward to welcoming science fiction fans back to our city for what is sure to be a fabulous return of the Worldcon community in 2024.”

Esther MacCallum-Stewart, Glasgow 2024 Worldcon chair, said: “It’s a huge honour to host the Worldcon, and our team have worked incredibly hard to get here.

“We can’t wait to bring our blend of inclusion, caring and imagination to the Glasgow 2024 Worldcon, and create an event that is both exciting and innovative.

“This really is a Worldcon for our futures!”