Glasgow chosen to host 2024 Worldcon science fiction convention
The five-day event will be worth £13m to Glasgow's economy
Author: Rob WallerPublished 5th Sep 2022 Last updated 5th Sep 2022
Glasgow will be hosting the 2024 World Science Fiction Convention after the city won the race to stage the the prestigious event for the third time.
Having hosted the Intersection and Interaction Worldcons in 1995 and 2005 respectively, the SEC was confirmed as the venue for the 82nd version of the event during Chicon 8 in Chicago, US.
Glasgow Convention Bureau, part of Glasgow Life, the charity which delivers culture and sport in the city, has worked in partnership with the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) to support the official bid team and volunteers to help bring the global gathering, known as Worldcon, to the city from 8-12 August 2024.
Glasgow 2024 – A Worldcon for Our Futures is expected to attract around 5,000 science fiction fans from 8-12 August 2024 during which time they're expected to boost the local economy by £13m.
Visiting a different city every year, Worldcon began Stateside and was first held in New York in 1939.
Among the highlights of the five-day conference are the Hugo Awards for works of science fiction, fantasy and horror; the Masquerade; and a programme of more than 1,000 events, including autograph sessions, films, panels, talks and workshops.
The Glasgow Worldcon in 2024 will be graced by guests of honour ranging from artists to writers and beyond, including British Science Fiction Association (BSFA)-nominated artist Chris Baker, who has worked on numerous films for visionary directors such as Steven Spielberg, Tim Burton and Stanley Kubrick.
Scottish science fiction author Ken MacLeod, a winner of multiple BSFA and Prometheus Awards, will also be in attendance, along with others like novelist and comics writer Nnedi Okorafor, whose work includes contributions to Marvel’s Black Panther series.
The SEC - where Glasgow welcomes the world
Finnieston Crane
The SEC opened in 1985 - then called the SECC - at the site of disused docks at Finnieston beside the River Clyde. The famous Finnieston crane towers over the site as a reminder of Glasgow's global industrial export heritage.
Glasgow chosen to host 2024 Worldcon science fiction convention
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SEC cop26
The Hydro went global when the SEC was the setting for the (delayed) Cop26 climate summit in 2021. An eye-catching giant globe was suspended inside the auditorium which was called the 'Action Zone' .
Finnieston Crane
The SEC opened in 1985 - then called the SECC - at the site of disused docks at Finnieston beside the River Clyde. The famous Finnieston crane towers over the site as a reminder of Glasgow's global industrial export heritage.
SEC Aerial view
Work to fill in the former Queen's Dock began in 1982 using rubble from the demolition of the St Enoch railway station in Glasgow. The pump house and clock tower at the bottom left of the picture shows where ships used to enter the dock.
Armadillo SEC
The futuristic Clyde Auditorium - better known to everyone in Glasgow as 'The Armadillo' - was designed by Sir Norman Foster and seats 3,000 people. It opened in August 1997.
SEC Hydro lit up
The SEC was confirmed as one of the world's top event locations with the opening of the OVO Hydro in September 2013. 1 million people visit it every year. Sir Rod Stewart staged the opening gig.
SEC walkway
The SEC has its own railway station - Exhibition Centre - which is a stop on the low level Argyle Line which passes through Glasgow Central station. It's a short walk from the station to the SEC using the iconic walkway passing over the Clydeside Expressway.
NHS Louisa Jordan
When the covid-19 pandemic hit in early 2020 the SEC was transformed into a temporary hospital - called the NHS Louisa Jordan - named after a Scottish nurse who died in service during the First World War. None of the 300 beds were ever used for coronavirus patients, but it was used for a number of other outpatient services and in December 2020 was used for mass vaccination clinics. It closed at the end of March 2021 with vaccinations continuing at the Hydro until July.
SEC Commonwealth Games
The SEC played a key role during the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. The complex staged sports including Gymnastics, Boxing, Judo, Netball, Wrestling and Weightlifting/Powerlifting. as well as being the home of the International Broadcast Centre and Main Press Centre.
Kevin Bridges
Since it opened in 2013 the Hydro has hosted some of the biggest gigs and shows in Scotland, Glasgow Comedian Kevin Bridges holds the record for the highest number of appearances having sold out 35 sold out shows at the venue so far.
SEC cop26
The Hydro went global when the SEC was the setting for the (delayed) Cop26 climate summit in 2021. An eye-catching giant globe was suspended inside the auditorium which was called the 'Action Zone' .
Finnieston Crane
The SEC opened in 1985 - then called the SECC - at the site of disused docks at Finnieston beside the River Clyde. The famous Finnieston crane towers over the site as a reminder of Glasgow's global industrial export heritage.
SEC Aerial view
Work to fill in the former Queen's Dock began in 1982 using rubble from the demolition of the St Enoch railway station in Glasgow. The pump house and clock tower at the bottom left of the picture shows where ships used to enter the dock.
Armadillo SEC
The futuristic Clyde Auditorium - better known to everyone in Glasgow as 'The Armadillo' - was designed by Sir Norman Foster and seats 3,000 people. It opened in August 1997.
SEC Hydro lit up
The SEC was confirmed as one of the world's top event locations with the opening of the OVO Hydro in September 2013. 1 million people visit it every year. Sir Rod Stewart staged the opening gig.
SEC walkway
The SEC has its own railway station - Exhibition Centre - which is a stop on the low level Argyle Line which passes through Glasgow Central station. It's a short walk from the station to the SEC using the iconic walkway passing over the Clydeside Expressway.
NHS Louisa Jordan
When the covid-19 pandemic hit in early 2020 the SEC was transformed into a temporary hospital - called the NHS Louisa Jordan - named after a Scottish nurse who died in service during the First World War. None of the 300 beds were ever used for coronavirus patients, but it was used for a number of other outpatient services and in December 2020 was used for mass vaccination clinics. It closed at the end of March 2021 with vaccinations continuing at the Hydro until July.
SEC Commonwealth Games
The SEC played a key role during the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. The complex staged sports including Gymnastics, Boxing, Judo, Netball, Wrestling and Weightlifting/Powerlifting. as well as being the home of the International Broadcast Centre and Main Press Centre.
Kevin Bridges
Since it opened in 2013 the Hydro has hosted some of the biggest gigs and shows in Scotland, Glasgow Comedian Kevin Bridges holds the record for the highest number of appearances having sold out 35 sold out shows at the venue so far.
SEC cop26
The Hydro went global when the SEC was the setting for the (delayed) Cop26 climate summit in 2021. An eye-catching giant globe was suspended inside the auditorium which was called the 'Action Zone' .
Glasgow - a global conference destination
Aileen Crawford, Head of Tourism and Conventions, Glasgow Life, said: “The return of the World Science Fiction Convention is fantastic for Glasgow and demonstrates the city’s status as a global conference destination.
"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!”
