StarCitizen:Squadron 42 Manchester event

Template:Stub The Squadron 42 Manchester event, also known as Squadron 42 playtest or sometimes SquadCon, is a closed event organized by Cloud Imperium Games from October 9 to 11, 2026, at the StarCitizen:Manchester studio. This three-day event welcomes many StarCitizen:Star Citizen content creators and long-time backers, giving them the opportunity to play Squadron 42 in early access.

Attendees will have 5 hours of playtime.<ref>Squadron 42 Manchester Update! @BTV_Cast X.com 2026-09-30</ref>

This event can be seen as a replacement for Citizencon, which has been canceled this year. This event is leading up to the game's release, whose StarCitizen:release date was recently pushed back from 2026 to Q2 2027.

Participants received a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) prior to the event, this allows for public discussion of their general experience but prohibits photography, video, and audio recording as well as certain elements intentionally hidden by CIG.

The invitation specifies that travel and accommodation costs are to be borne by the participants, although CIG plans to provide information on nearby discounted accommodation options.

Mark Hamill dropped by.<ref>Hugo Lisoir SQ42 Playtest Report (French CC), reddit, 10/09/2026</ref>

The Hornet model by StarCitizen:Mangostone was displayed.<ref>I just played Squadron 42, Enderprize, Youtube, 9 Oct 2026 </ref>

A cassette tape of the Squadron 42 soundtrack by StarCitizen:Geoff Zanelli was gifted to attendees.<ref>"I've been waiting for this for so long", @VaterSohnZocken, Twitter, Oct 9, 2026</ref>

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