Everyone loves to play games from table to mobile and with the hype of E3 coming and going like a pvp shooter match. Convention/Expo season is in full swing. So, here's something to help out with the con fervor.
10. PAX West
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Taking place in Seattle, WA. PAX West and it’s siblings are considered to be the largest gaming conventions in the country. Having anything from tabletop gaming to video gaming. People from all over flock to these conventions to see what’s the latest in gaming.
Attendance: Over 70,000 in 2018
What makes PAX West special?
Panels
Exhibit Hall
Tournaments
Omegathon
Event Details for 2019
2019 Date: August 30th to September 2nd
Venue: Washington State Convention Center
How to attend: Four Day badges for West are already sold out with a few remaining badges for Friday and Plenty of Monday badges for $55.00.
PAX Unplugged is all about tabletop games and only table games. As a lot of those games are ever expanding and growing. The demand for table games has grown as they offer a little bit of everything to everyone.
Attendance: Over 30,000 in 2018
What makes PAX Unplugged special?
Tabletop Games
Panels
Exhibit Hall
Tournaments
Omegathon
2019 Event Details
2019 Date: December 6-8
Venue: Pennsylvania Convention Center
How to attend: 3 Day Badges are $70.00 and One day badges are $35.00.
Starting in 1968 Gen Con is one of the largest and oldest gaming events that has grown and expanded throughout the years. They have everything from tabletop games to video games. With guests from all over the world coming to showcase the latest in games.
Attendance: Over 208,000 in 2018
What makes Gen Con special?
Games of all varieties
Panels
Exhibit Hall
Tournaments
Oldest and Largest in the USA
2019 Event Details
2019 Date: August 1st to 4th
Venue: Indiana Convention Center
How to attend: 4 Day Badges are $110 and One day badges range from $75.00 to $15.00.
If you love World of Warcraft and Overwatch the developer company for those two has their very own convention going on. Blizzard will showcase what's coming next to their line up and new games that are coming to their very own gaming platform.
Attendance: Over 40,000 in 2018
What makes Blizzcon special?
Gaming
Live Music
Exhibit Hall
Tournaments
Cosplay Contests
2019 Event Details
2019 Date: November 1st to 2nd
Venue: Anaheim Convention Center
How to attend: Portal Passes are $550 and regular passes are $230
A game convention focused on the retro side of gaming. With 70,000 square feet of space there is a lot to see and play. Focusing on the retro gaming also means that there are guests who have shaped the industry itself that might attend.
Attendance: Over 6,000 in 2018
What makes Classic Game Fest special?
Games of all varieties
Live Music
Exhibit Hall
Tournaments
Near Downtown Austin
Kids under 12 get in free
2019 Event Details
2019 Date: July 27th & 28th
Venue: Palmer Events Center
How to attend: 2 Day Badges are $25, Saturday Badges are $20, & Sunday Badges are $10
Started in 1987 by the Dragon Alliance of Gamers and Role-Players this con has everything for everyone. Taking place 5 hotels it's main feature is the Cosplay. The giant cosplays.
Attendance: Over 80,000 in 2018
What makes Dragon Con special?
Games of all varieties
Live Music
Exhibit Hall
Tournaments
Cosplay Parade
2019 Event Details
2019 Date: August 29th to September 2nd
Venue: There are 5 Hotels in all that Host the event. There is the Hyatt Regency Atlanta, Hilton Atlanta, Marriott Marquis Atlanta, Sheraton Atlanta hotel, and the Westin Peachtree Plaza Atlanta.
How to attend: Attending this event requires a membership of $125
Starting in 2006 this convention is aimed for everyone has a certain kind of like for nostalgia and in Portland, OR this expo has it all. If you're a fan of Halloween this one is in October. They have anything from pinball to classic consoles.
Attendance: Over 6,000 in 2016
What makes PRGE special?
Retro Games
Live Music
Exhibit Hall
Tournaments
2019 Event Details
2019 Date: October 18th to 20th
Venue: Oregon Convention center
How to attend: Weekend Passes for presale are available for $40 and will be $45 at the door. Day passes range from $35 to $20. Kids 3 to 12 are $15.
If you love gaming whether it's competitive or just for fun. This is one that you probably don't want to miss. As this convention premieres the latest in gaming and gaming technology.
Attendance: Over 66,100 in 2019
What makes this event special?
Gaming
Tournament
Exhibit Hall
Latest in Gaming
2019 Event Details
2019 Date: June 11th to 13th
Venue: Los Angeles Convention Center
How to attend: based on availability and capacity at the Los Angeles Convention Center, an E3 2019 badge can be purchased for $995.00.
In Minneapolis, MN this con offers a variety of gaming. All of it starting as a charitable event. They have everything from retro to RPG. With live music this might be the one to attend. Especially if you don't like leaving the dogs at home you can bring your special gaming buddy with you just read the registration and hotel rules.
Attendance: Unknown as they don't track attendance.
What makes this event special?
Retro Games
Live Music
Exhibit Hall
Tournaments
Bring your dog!
2019 Event Details
2019 Date: August 23rd to 25th
Venue: Hyatt Regency Minneapolis
How to attend: Starting at $35 for pre-registration for a 3 day pass this year is a little different as you can name your price. Add an extra bit on top of the badge as a donation and earn the chance to get discounts from steam to the hotel room.
Ranked as the 5th largest Gaming Convention this one needs a mention. One of the largest gaming conventions in the Rocky Mountain region. It offers anything from Tabletop gaming to console games. It also happens to be one of the places you can enter to the World Riichi Competition. So if you're an amateur or a professional; you know how to play Mahjong or want to learn. It might be the best place to start.
Attendance: Over 20,000 in 2018
What makes this event special?
Retro Games
Live Music
Exhibit Hall
Tournaments
World Riichi Competition
2019 Event Details
2019 Date: June 27th to 29th
Venue: Salt Palace Convention Center
How to attend: VIP tickets start at $90 and drop from there. The Riichi Championship qualifier is $55.
Though if none of these Top 10 spark joy then I would recommend going to Events for Gamers (http://www.eventsforgamers.com/) and find a Con just right for you.
