There are many video game conventions, award shows, and conferences yearly, so fans and followers of the industry won’t ever thirst for brand spanking new announcements, networking opportunities, and all that other jazz. But with so many various events you’ll be able to go to literally across the globe, it may possibly be a Herculean effort to maintain track of all of them. From celebrating Dungeons & Dragons to all things Minecraft, it’s just lots.
To not fear, intrepid reader or casual visitor! We have you covered. We have compiled a schedule of the key gaming conventions and shows that occur all year long and arranged them by date. So get out your calendar and begin planning for these upcoming events where you’ll be able to get front-row seats to industry news and meet like-minded video game fans and professionals!
Updated on November 3, 2024: With event season slowing down a bit ahead of the vacations, today’s update to our calendar of industry events is a smaller one, just ensuring we have removed inactive ticket links and have our dates and locations correct for the rest of the 2024 event yr!
Upcoming And Current Events
Biggest Game Events In January 2024
January starts off with the Consumer Electronics Show. CES isn’t open to most of the people, but in case you occur to fulfill registration requirements and are concerned about consumer technology, you’ll be able to register for a pass to attend.
We have also got the Latest York Game Awards with its thirteenth annual show and after party! The event this yr was hosted by Reggie Fils-Aimé, Harold Goldberg, and Neil Druckmann.
January 9-12 | CES (Consumer Electronics Show) | Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada | United States | ~115,000 Attendees | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
January 23 | Latest York Game Awards | SVA Theatre in Manhattan, Latest York | United States | ~500 Attendees |
Biggest Game Events In February 2024
In the event you occur to be a video game exec and also you’re looking for to network with like-minded individuals and corporations, don’t miss out on registering for D.I.C.E. Summit. You will get the possibility to listen to from among the top minds within the industry who’re pushing the expansion of titans in gaming.
And let’s not forget the primary of the Magic: The Gathering conventions of the yr. MagicCon: Chicago features Pro Tour Murders at Karlov Manor, sneak peeks at latest cards, and, after all, a ton of event-exclusive MTG merch.
February 13-15 | D.I.C.E. Summit | Aria Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada | United States | ~2,000 Attendees | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
February 23-25 | MagicCon: Chicago | McCormick Place Lakeside Center in Chicago, Illinois | United States | ~10,000 Attendees |
Where Were We In February?
Though we didn’t attend many events for gaming specifically in February, Jade King and Meg Pelliccio were in attendance on the red carpet for the BAFTAs!
Biggest Game Events In March 2024
We’ve got two gaming events set for March! GDC is an annual conference for game developers and other industry professionals. Pass prices are quite steep, however the workshops, rant sessions, and the Game Developers Selection Awards are only just a few of the things that make this an event value attending. (We’ve got an example of insights you’ll be able to learn from a GDC panel in this coverage of a WoW Shadowlands discussion.)
PAX East is one other one in all the PAX series of conventions that celebrates all elements of gaming. It’s an expo for fans by fans, and it is a delight to attend. In the event you’re within the Boston area when PAX is going on, even just walking outside the Exhibition Center is sufficient to share within the energy and excitement that surrounds it.
Where Were We In March?
March was a fun month here at TG! While Eric Switzer headed west for GDC, Gabrielle Castania and Andrew King went the opposite way across the US to PAX East.
Biggest Game Events In April 2024
We’ve got two events slated for April. The primary is WASD, which is a implausible convention that celebrates the very best in indie games. It features talks from veteran developers and exciting news about upcoming releases. In the event you’re in the world and raring for industry info, WASD is the place to be.
The second is EVO Japan, and in case you have not heard of EVO, you could not be a mega fan of the fighting game genre. It’s the largest fighting game tournament around, and it is a thrill to look at. Speaking as a one that’s not that expert on the genre, I can still say my heart kilos watching a few of those matches. The talent on display is undeniable, and in case you get the chance to go to EVO or watch a few of its games online, it’ll be well value it.
April 25-27 | WASD | The Truman Brewery in London, England | United Kingdom | ~9,000 Attendees |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
April 27-29 | EVO Japan | Ariake GYM-EX in Ariake, Tokyo | Japan | ~35,000 Attendees |
The WASD website was having technical issues on the time of this text’s most up-to-date republish.
Where Were We In April?
April was a giant one for us at TheGamer! Jade King, Meg Pelliccio, and Helen Ashcroft headed to WASD and saw some cool indies during their time there, while James Troughton checked out the Elder Scrolls Online event. Meg also went to Japan for the Megaton Mushashi World Cup and fought valiantly on TG’s behalf.
Biggest Game Events In May 2024
May gives us two events you’ll be able to go to in case you’re in (or planning to be in) america before the warmth of summer. Originally often known as Wizard World Philadelphia, FAN EXPO Philadelphia has evolved right into a show that hosts a myriad of pop-culture celebrities, incredible workshops with talented artists, and a ginormous show floor.
Next, we’ve OtakuFest, which is a three-day celebration of all things anime, manga, and cosplay set in Miami, Florida. If those three things sound correct up your alley, then this festival is the proper event so that you can attend.
May 3-5 | FAN EXPO Philadelphia | Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | United States | ~50,000 Attendees | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
May 17-19 | OtakuFest | Miami Beach Convention Center in Miami, Florida | United States | ~18,000 Attendees | |
May 31 – June 2 | UK Games Expo | National Exhibition Centre, Marston Greene, England | United Kingdom | ~65,000 Attendees |
Where Were We In May?
Joe Parlock checked out UK Games Fest, and saw loads of interesting tabletop games each latest and old.
Biggest Game Events In June 2024
The large event of the summer is the aptly named Summer Game Fest. SGF is especially a digital event with a give attention to game announcements and livestreamed panels. It is a probability for game developers to showcase what they’re working on and to disclose latest projects which might be still within the pipeline. It is also a probability for viewers to find out about what latest games are on the horizon and to (hopefully) mark down on calendars any release dates that get announced.
After Summer Game Fest, we’ve a Future Games Showcase and a PC Gaming Showcase that we are able to tune in to via YouTube and a wide range of other platforms. Each are broadcasts that can give us more info on upcoming games and in addition showcase some newer titles that we should always placed on our radar.
MagicCon: Amsterdam, the second MTG convention of the yr, takes place in June as well, featuring a distinct Pro Tour for Modern Horizons 3. And for the primary time ever, GamesCom is coming to Latin America!
June 7 | Summer Game Fest | YouTube Theater in Los Angeles, California | United States | ~2,000,000 Viewers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
June 8 | Future Games Show Summer Showcase | Livestream | Livestream | ~8,500,000 Viewers | |
June 9 | PC Gaming Show | Livestream | Livestream | ~13,000,000 Viewers | |
June 26-30 | São Paulo Expo Exhibition & Convention Center in São Paulo, São Paulo | Brazil | ~50,000 Attendees | ||
June 28-30 | RAI Amsterdam Convention Centre in Amsterdam, North Holland | Netherlands | ~10,000 Attendees | ||
June 29-30 | Rotterdam Ahoy in Rotterdam | Netherlands | ~35,000 Attendees |
Where Were We In June?
We began a busy summer here at TheGamer in June! Meg Pelliccio began the month with a Final Fantasy Dawntrail preview and interview with director Naoki Yoshida (a game for which she’s writing loads of content!). Meanwhile, Stacey Henley, George Foster, and Eric Switzer went to Summer Game Fest in Los Angeles, while Zoë Osik checked out the Disney Lorcana Challenge in Chicago. Santi Leguiza rounded out the month by attending GamesCom LATAM in Sao Paolo, Brazil.
Biggest Game Events In July 2024
Though San Diego Comic Con began its life as a convention centered around comic books, the mix of interests shared by the film and games industry has made it an exposition of popular culture as a complete. Hosted in the attractive climate of coastal southern California, SDCC includes a massive exhibit hall with plenty to experience and a various array of panels for guests to attend. Just prepare your souls for the Hall H line.
July 4-7 | Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, California | United States | ~160,000 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
July 19-21 | EVO Las Vegas | Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada | United States | ~9,000 | |
July 25-28 | San Diego Comic Con | San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California | United States | ~130,000 Attendees |
Where Were We In July?
July brought a few of TheGamer staff out to California for San Diego Comic Con, where Eric Switzer and I saw loads of cool game and movie previews, bought a ton of sweet merch, and even met up with just a few of our colleagues along the way in which!
Biggest Game Events In August 2024
Rather a lot is going on in August, with PAX West scheduled late into the month, and with QuakeCon and GamesCom also set to occur earlier. QuakeCon celebrates the games and properties helmed by id Software, and it’s most notably recognized for its LAN parties and competitions.
GamesCom is a large trade fair for video games hosted in Germany and is one of the vital highly attended gaming-related events on this planet. In the event you’re going to have attending a video game event in your bucket list, GamesCom is the one to go for!
August 1-4 | Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, Indiana | United States | ~70,000 Attendees | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
August 8-11 | QuakeCon | Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas | United States | ~10,000 Attendees | |
August 16-18 | Hawaii Convention Center in Honolulu, Hawaii | United States | ~3,000 Attendees | ||
August 21-25 | GamesCom | Koelnmesse in Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia | Germany | ~320,000 Attendees | |
August 30-September 2 | PAX West | Seattle Convention Center in Seattle, Washington | United States | ~120,000 Attendees |
Where Were We In August?
Jerel Levy made his approach to GenCon, while loads of the opposite staff at TG headed over to Germany for Gamescom. Eric Switzer, meanwhile, was on the Pokemon World Championships in Hawaii.
Biggest Game Events In September 2024
All right, forget GamesCom. You wish to know what probably the greatest game trade fairs on this planet is? It is the Tokyo Game Show! A flood of developers exhibit their games throughout the days of TGS, and if the bustling crowds of the show floor are too crowded on your liking or the flight to Japan too pricey, the event is livestreamed via YouTube and Twitch to a worldwide audience.
Where Were We In September?
September began with myself and Eric Switzer heading out to Seattle, Washington for PAX West over Labor Day weekend. Later within the month, Sam Woods took off for Tokyo Game Show, while Meg Pelliccio headed out for a wet day at Thorpe Parke to envision out Planet Coaster 2.
Biggest Game Events In October 2024
October is one other action-packed, event-filled month! We get one other PAX in the shape of PAX Melbourne, which is the one PAX event hosted outside of america in Australia. EGX is a trade fair that has been hosted within the UK and in Germany up to now. It’s an annual event, and over time, it has built up solid attendance.
The Brazil Game Show is the huge gem of gaming events this October. It’s often known as one in all the most important gaming conventions in Latin America, and it’s only continued to grow as time has passed by. Quite a few game developers are represented on the exposition, and though respiration room is in brief supply, the heaps of awesome you will find there are neverending.
Truthfully, October is just jam-packed with events, but we won’t forget the last MTG con of the yr, MagicCon: Las Vegas. It features the Magic World Championship 30 and, after all, a number of panels, merch booths, and other competitions. Moreover, the Montreat Inernational Game Summit will happen at the tip of October this yr, too!
October 3 | Livestream | Livestream | ~1,000,000 Viewers | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
October 9-13 | Expo Center Norte in São Paulo, São Paulo | Brazil | ~330,000 Attendees | ||
October 11-13 | PAX Aus | Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre in Melbourne, Victoria | Australia | ~80,000 Attendees |
|
October 17-20 | GamesCom Asia | Suntec Convention Centre in Central Singapore, Singapore | Singapore | ~34,000 Attendees | |
October 17-20 | Javits Center in Latest York, Latest York | United States | ~200,000 Attendees | ||
October 23-27 | Paris Expo Porte de Versailles in Paris, Île-de-France | France | ~300,000 Attendees |
| |
October 25-27 | ExCel Centre London in London, England | United Kingdom | ~80,000 Attendees | ||
October 25-27 | Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada | United States | ~10,000 Attendees | ||
October 30-31 | Marché Bonsecours in Montreal, Quebec | Canada | ~750 Attendees |
Where Were We In October?
This month, Meg Pelliccio got to envision out a demo for Neva and speak to the sport’s developers in regards to the project, while Tessa Kaur headed off to Gamescom Asia!
Biggest Game Events In November 2024
Though BlizzCon was canceled this yr, we still have Paris Games Week and the Montreal International Game Summit to stay up for in November! We have added the WePlay Expo to our list, which is the most important showcase of indie games in China that takes place in Shanghai the center of the month. We have also just received word that the Montreal International Games Summit will happen at the tip of October this yr as an alternative of early November prefer it was in 2023.
Pax Unplugged is all about board games and card games, so in case you lean toward gaming sans a screen, visiting the Pennsylvania Convention Center in December ought to be in your itinerary. You will give you the chance to play latest tabletop games which have yet to achieve the general public or you’ll be able to try your hand at a tournament in case you’re feeling competitive!
Also in December, we’ve The Game Awards, gaming’s premier award show where we have fun the past yr’s accomplishments within the industry. Latest trailers and upcoming announcements are teased throughout the ceremony, and at the tip, the sport of the yr is crowned! You possibly can tune in to The Game Awards on a wide range of streaming services!
