Gamers have got a busy year ahead, stacked full of some of the biggest video game conventions out there. From large-scale showcases like Gamescon to indie events like DreamHack, there are hundreds of conventions happening across the globe in 2025.
There’s a convention for almost every genre and franchise out there — even for the retro gamers.
In this blog, we’ve sifted through 2025’s lengthy lineup of video game conventions to bring you a highlight reel of the best events to get excited for this year.
Whether you’re keen to meet the devs behind your favorite titles, hunt down exclusive game reveals, or are planning to cosplay as your main, achieve it all at this year’s best upcoming video game conventions.
Game Developers Conference (GDC)
- Date: 17th -21st March, 2025.
- Location: Moscone Convention Center, San Francisco, CA, USA.
First, we’re kicking things off with the conference for developers, by developers: GDC. The leading global event for video game programmers, GDC has gained an epic reputation over the years as a hub of creativity, innovation, and gaming excellence. The starting point for many of the biggest names in the developer game, GDC has been running for over 30 years, first held back in April 1988.
In 2025, attendees can expect upwards of 30,000 visitors, 100 speakers, 400 exhibitions, and 700 sessions — all jam-packed into a five-day extravaganza of technological innovation and creative expertise.
This year, there’s a whole host of exciting talks — from “No Brakes! Machine Learning Vehicles in ‘Star Wars Outlaws’” at the Game AI Summit to “Creating Martial Arts in VR” at the Future Realities Summit.
Summer Game Fest (SGF)
- Date: 6th – 9th June, 2025.
- Location: YouTube Theater, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
After E3 tragically announced their permanent cancellation in 2023 (RIP, you were the best), Summer Games Fest has largely been accepted as a worthy replacement of sorts. Filling the gap for many gamers, Summer Games Fest is a fun and colourful event that encapsulates what people love about gaming: playfulness and escapism.
Launched in 2020 and hosted by Geoff Keighley (legendary video game journalist), SGF seeks to celebrate upcoming video games and new releases, always thinking “forwards”. If you can’t afford the trip to LA, not to worry — SGF is also available to enjoy as a free livestream for fans across the globe.
PAX
- PAX West: 29th Aug – 1st Sep, 2025. Seattle Convention Center, Seattle, WA, USA.
- PAX East: 8th – 11th May, 2025. Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, Boston, MA, USA.
Next up, we simply had to include the PAX events on our list. A renowned celebration of video games and table-top gaming alike, PAX is known for being fan-focused and hands-on, with new game demos, live music, performances, gaming tournaments, and talks from the best studios and publishers.
Originally Penny Arcade Expo, PAX is formed of numerous festivals throughout the year and is simply immense in scale, with something for gamers from every corner of the world.
Since its creation in 2004, it’s grown to be an annual staple in the gaming calendar, with fun events like The Omegathon bringing a healthy dose of competition to all who attend.
Gamescom
- Date: 20th – 24th August, 2025.
- Location: Koelnmesse, Cologne, Germany.
The world’s largest gaming event, and Europe’s largest gaming trade fair, Gamescom boasts record-breaking attendance – with over 335,000 in-person attendees, and more than 300 million digital engagements.
Gamescom is all about gaming creativity and passion. Sprawling over five thrilling days, it features everything from hardware and cosplay to tournaments and live shows. In 2025, there will be some significant headlines — most notably, a live orchestral performance to celebrate 10 years of The Witcher 3.
The sheer size of Gamescom makes it feel like a music festival at times, especially with its impressive map of designated areas, like the Cosplay Village, Retro & Family Area, Merch Zone, and Laser Tag Arena.
Tokyo Game Show (TGS)
- Date: 25th – 28th September, 2025
- Location: Makuhari Messe, Chiba, Japan.
Showcasing the latest releases from Japanese and international developers, TGS 2025 is set to be one of the largest international gaming events of the year. TGS has long stood as a hub for groundbreaking gaming announcements — particularly in the Japanese gaming industry — with revered figures like Capcom, Square Enix, Bandai Namco, and Sony choosing to reveal their latest projects at previous TGSs.
In recent years, TGS’s four-day event has expanded its focus beyond mobile and console, and has explored new frontiers in the form of VR, AR, and cloud gaming innovations. We’re excited to see what TGS 2025 has to offer!
Portland Retro Gaming Expo (PRGE)
- Date: 17th – 19th October, 2025.
- Location: Oregon Convention Centre, Portland, OR, USA.
One of North America’s most-loved gaming events, PRGE offers a three-day-long immersive experience for retro gamers galore.
Leading the charge when it comes to retro gaming expos, PRGE features a sprawling free-play arcade, with hundreds of classic arcade machines for young and old gamers alike to enjoy. Alongside panels with industry veterans, there are also interactive gaming museums that bring gaming history into the real world with vibrant exhibitions.
Aiming to “Educate, Preserve, and Inspire”, PRGE is all about keeping retro gaming alive, and bringing the joy of console gaming in its earliest forms to newer generations. Whether you were brought up with Tetris or not, this is the place for lovers of all things retro gaming to converge and have fun!
IndieCade
- Date: October 2025 (Exact dates TBC)
- Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Switching from retro to indie gaming now, IndieCade offers a space for gamers everywhere to discover the new, innovative, and experimental in video game spheres.
In 2009, IndieCade was just starting out when the Los Angeles Times called it “the video game industry’s Sundance”— and this label has held fast for over a decade and a half. Driven by a mission to make a difference and support independent game development, IndieCade has created an international community of gamers to cultivate innovation and reshape the public’s perception of gaming.
As they say on their site: “As long as you are interested in games that challenge, expand horizons, and are enjoyable, then you are a welcome addition to the IndieCade community.” If that sounds like you, why not book a ticket (in-person or virtually) and see what it’s all about?
DreamHack
- Dates: 23rd – 25th May, 2025.
- Location: Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
Last but not least, we have DreamHack — a huge, interactive gaming festival that encourages users to bring their own laptops and plug in together for collective gaming sessions.
DreamHack has made a name for itself on account of its vast LAN parties, esports tournaments, and competitions. Fun, exciting, and brimming with opportunities for involvement and connection — like digital art competitions, live music, and cosplay exhibitions — DreamHack has been running since 1994, and gets bigger every year.
“Where the gaming community comes to life” is DreamHack’s tag line, and we can’t help but agree. Gamers from across the globe uniting under one huge roof to have fun and celebrate indie video games — what’s not to love? This year, DreamHack Dallas has a number of exclusive events (including a Geoguessr Major live event, an all-women’s Counter-Strike competition, and an entire indie playground).
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