If you’re looking to attend a popular game showcase or convention, we’ve got the when and where of every major gaming event of the year.
There are plenty of video game conventions, award shows, and conferences every year, so fans and followers of the industry will never thirst for new announcements, networking opportunities, and all that other jazz. But with so many different events you can go to literally around the globe, it can be a Herculean effort to keep track of them all. From celebrating Dungeons & Dragons to all things Minecraft, it's just a lot.
Not to fear, intrepid reader or casual visitor! We've got you covered. We've compiled a schedule of the major gaming conventions and shows that occur throughout the year and organized them by date. So get out your calendar and start planning for these upcoming events where you can get front-row seats to industry news and meet like-minded video game fans and professionals!
Updated April 22, 2024: WASD is right around the corner and the next time we update this article, we'll have loads of coverage to share. But if you're eager for gaming news or relevant features and just can't wait, we've got you covered! Subscribe to our newsletters (one or two or all, your pick!) in order to keep up-to-date with all things gaming!
Upcoming And Current Events
- MagicCon Amsterdam: We had a date for this highly anticipated MTG convention in late June, and we've just gotten a confirmed location!
- WASD: This convention for indie games is practically at our doorsteps! Stay tuned for more news on what's going on in the world of independent developers and the new projects they're working on.
Biggest Game Events In January 2024
January starts off with the Consumer Electronics Show. CES is not open to the general public, but if you happen to meet registration requirements and are interested in consumer technology, you can register for a pass to attend.
We've also got the New York Game Awards with its 13th annual show and after party! The event this year 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 |
Tickets |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
January 23 |
New York Game Awards |
SVA Theatre in Manhattan, New York |
United States |
~500 Attendees |
Tickets |
Biggest Game Events In February 2024
If you happen to be a video game exec and you're seeking to network with like-minded individuals and companies, don't miss out on registering for D.I.C.E. Summit. You'll get the chance to hear from some of the top minds in the industry who are pushing the growth of titans in gaming.
And let's not forget the first of the Magic: The Gathering conventions of the year. MagicCon: Chicago features Pro Tour Murders at Karlov Manor, sneak peeks at new cards, and, of course, 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 |
Tickets |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
February 23-25 |
MagicCon: Chicago |
McCormick Place Lakeside Center in Chicago, Illinois |
United States |
~10,000 Attendees |
Tickets |
Biggest Game Events In March 2024
We have two gaming events set for March! GDC is an annual conference for game developers and other industry professionals. Pass prices are quite steep, but the workshops, rant sessions, and the Game Developers Choice Awards are just a few of the things that make this an event worth attending. (We have an example of insights you can learn from a GDC panel in this coverage of a WoW Shadowlands discussion.)
PAX East is another one of the PAX series of conventions that celebrates all aspects of gaming. It's an expo for fans by fans, and it's a delight to attend. If you're in the Boston area when PAX is happening, even just walking outside the Exhibition Center is enough to share in the energy and excitement that surrounds it.
March 18-22 |
Game Developers Conference (GDC) |
Moscone Center in San Francisco, California |
United States |
~28,000 Attendees |
Tickets |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
March 21-24 |
PAX East |
Boston Convention and Exhibition Center in Boston, Massachussetts |
United States |
~130,000 Attendees |
Tickets |
Biggest Game Events In April 2024
We have two events slated for April. The first is WASD, which is a fantastic convention that celebrates the best in indie games. It features talks from veteran developers and exciting news about upcoming releases. If you're in the area and raring for industry info, WASD is the place to be.
The second is EVO Japan, and if you haven't heard of EVO, you must not be a mega fan of the fighting game genre. It's the biggest fighting game tournament around, and it's a thrill to watch. Speaking as a person who's not that skilled at the genre, I can still say my heart pounds watching some of those matches. The talent on display is undeniable, and if you get the opportunity to go to EVO or watch some of its games online, it will be well worth it.
April 25-27 |
WASD |
The Truman Brewery in London, England |
United Kingdom |
~9,000 Attendees |
Tickets |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
April 27-29 |
EVO Japan |
Ariake GYM-EX in Ariake, Tokyo |
Japan |
~35,000 Attendees |
Tickets |
Biggest Game Events In May 2024
May gives us two events you can go to if you're in (or planning to be in) the United States before the heat of summer. Originally known as Wizard World Philadelphia, FAN EXPO Philadelphia has evolved into a show that hosts a myriad of pop-culture celebrities, incredible workshops with talented artists, and a ginormous show floor.
Next, we have OtakuFest, which is a three-day celebration of all things anime, manga, and cosplay set in Miami, Florida. If those three things sound right up your alley, then this festival is the perfect event for you to attend.
May 3-5 |
FAN EXPO Philadelphia |
Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
United States |
~50,000 Attendees |
Tickets |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
May 17-19 |
OtakuFest |
Miami Beach Convention Center in Miami, Florida |
United States |
~18,000 Attendees |
Tickets |
Biggest Game Events In June 2024
The big event of the summer is the aptly named Summer Game Fest. SGF is mainly a digital event with a focus on game announcements and livestreamed panels. It's a chance for game developers to showcase what they're working on and to reveal new projects that are still in the pipeline. It's also a chance for viewers to learn about what new games are on the horizon and to (hopefully) mark down on calendars any release dates that get announced.
After Summer Game Fest, we have a Future Games Showcase and a PC Gaming Showcase that we can tune in to via YouTube and a variety of other platforms. Both are broadcasts that will give us more info on upcoming games and also showcase some newer titles that we should put on our radar.
MagicCon: Amsterdam, the second MTG convention of the year, takes place in June as well, featuring a different Pro Tour for Modern Horizons 3.
And for the first 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 |
Tickets |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
June 8 |
Future Games Show Summer Showcase |
Livestream |
Livestream |
~8,500,000 Viewers |
Channel |
June 9 |
PC Gaming Show |
Livestream |
Livestream |
~13,000,000 Viewers |
Channel |
June 26-30 |
GamesCom Latam |
São Paulo Expo Exhibition & Convention Center in São Paulo, São Paulo |
Brazil |
~50,000 Attendees |
Tickets |
June 28-30 |
MagicCon: Amsterdam |
RAI Amsterdam Convention Centre in Amsterdam, North Holland |
Netherlands |
~10,000 Attendees |
Tickets |
June 29-30 |
TwitchCon Rotterdam |
Rotterdam Ahoy in Rotterdam |
Netherlands |
~35,000 Attendees |
Tickets |
Biggest Game Events In July 2024
Though San Diego Comic Con started its life as a convention centered around comic books, the blend of interests shared by the film and games industry has made it an exposition of pop culture as a whole. Hosted in the beautiful climate of coastal southern California, SDCC features a massive exhibit hall with plenty to experience and a diverse array of panels for guests to attend. Just prepare your souls for the Hall H line.
July 19-21 |
EVO Las Vegas |
TBA |
TBA |
~9,000 |
Tickets |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
July 25-28 |
San Diego Comic Con |
San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California |
United States |
~130,000 Attendees |
Tickets |
Biggest Game Events In August 2024
A lot is happening 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 massive trade fair for video games hosted in Germany and is one of the most highly attended gaming-related events in the world. If you're going to have attending a video game event on your bucket list, GamesCom is the one to go for!
August TBA |
QuakeCon |
Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas |
United States |
~10,000 Attendees |
Tickets |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
August 1-4 |
Gen Con |
Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, Indiana |
United States |
~70,000 Attendees |
Tickets |
August 21-25 |
GamesCom |
Koelnmesse in Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia |
Germany |
~320,000 Attendees |
Tickets |
August 30-September 2 |
PAX West |
Seattle Convention Center in Seattle, Washington |
United States |
~120,000 Attendees |
Tickets |
Biggest Game Events In September 2024
All right, forget GamesCom. You want to know what one of the best game trade fairs in the world is? It's the Tokyo Game Show! A flood of developers exhibit their games during the days of TGS, and if the bustling crowds of the show floor are too crowded for your liking or the flight to Japan too pricey, the event is livestreamed via YouTube and Twitch to a worldwide audience.
September 20-22 |
TwitchCon San Diego |
San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California |
United States |
~35,000 Attendees |
Tickets |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
September 26-29 |
Tokyo Game Show |
Makuharie Messe in Makuhari New City, Chiba |
Japan |
~240,000 Attendees |
Tickets |
Biggest Game Events In October 2024
October is another action-packed, event-filled month! We get another PAX in the form of PAX Melbourne, which is the only PAX event hosted outside of the United States in Australia.
EGX is a trade fair that has been hosted in the UK and in Germany in the past. It's an annual event, and over the years, it has built up solid attendance.
The Brazil Game Show is the massive gem of gaming events this October. It's known as one of the largest gaming conventions in Latin America, and it's only continued to grow as time has gone by. Numerous game developers are represented at the exposition, and though breathing room is in short supply, the heaps of awesome you'll find there are neverending.
Honestly, October is just jam-packed with events, but we can't forget the last MTG con of the year, MagicCon: Las Vegas. It features the Magic World Championship 30 and, of course, a host of panels, merch booths, and other competitions.
October TBA |
EGX |
ExCel Centre London in London, England |
United Kingdom |
~80,000 Attendees |
Tickets |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
October TBA |
Minecraft Live |
Livestream |
Livestream |
~1,000,000 Viewers |
Channel |
October 9-13 |
Brazil Game Show |
Expo Center Norte in São Paulo, São Paulo |
Brazil |
~330,000 Attendees |
Tickets |
October 11-13 |
PAX Aus |
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre in Melbourne, Victoria |
Australia |
~80,000 Attendees |
Tickets |
October 17-20 |
GamesCom Asia |
Suntec Convention Centre in Central Singapore, Singapore |
Singapore |
~34,000 Attendees |
Tickets |
October 17-20 |
New York Comic Con |
Javits Center in New York, New York |
United States |
~200,000 Attendees |
Tickets |
October 25-27 |
MagicCon: Las Vegas |
Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada |
United States |
~10,000 Attendees |
Tickets |
Biggest Game Events In November 2024
Celebrate all things Blizzard at BlizzCon, a convention annually held in Anaheim that features announcements and news regarding Blizzard Entertainment's most iconic properties. From World of Warcraft to Diablo, if you're a fan of one of Blizzard's games, this is the event to go to.
November TBA |
BlizzCon |
Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California |
United States |
~40,000 Attendees |
Tickets |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
November TBA |
Paris Game Week |
Paris Expo Porte de Versailles in Paris, Île-de-France |
France |
~300,000 Attendees |
Tickets |
November TBA |
Montreal International Game Summit |
Marché Bonsecours in Montreal, Quebec |
Canada |
~750 Attendees |
Tickets |
Biggest Game Events In December 2024
Pax Unplugged is all about board games and card games, so if you lean toward gaming sans a screen, visiting the Pennsylvania Convention Center in December should be on your itinerary. You'll be able to play new tabletop games that have yet to reach the public or you can try your hand at a tournament if you're feeling competitive!
Also in December, we have The Game Awards, gaming's premier award show where we celebrate the past year's accomplishments in the industry. New trailers and upcoming announcements are teased throughout the ceremony, and at the end, the game of the year is crowned! You can tune in to The Game Awards on a variety of streaming services!
December 6-8 |
PAX Unplugged |
Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
United States |
~30,000 Attendees |
Tickets |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
December 12 |
The Game Awards |
Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, California |
United States |
~1,000 Attendees |
Tickets |