There are gaming conventions in every corner of the United States.
These conventions regularly attract tens of thousands of attendees and feature a hugely diverse range of gaming genres. Some even attract hundreds of thousands each year.
We’ve narrowed down the seven best gaming conventions in the US, covering everything from streaming and esports to anime and cosplay.
If your business is based in the gaming industry and you’re looking to make your mark as an exhibitor, you won’t go wrong with any of these top-tier events.
1. Penny Arcade Expo (PAX) West – Seattle, WA
Website
Focus areas
Video games (AAA and indie), tabletop, community events, panels/discussions
Why it’s unique
This gaming festival is held annually in downtown Seattle over Labor Day weekend.
It’s one of the world’s most well-rounded conventions, bringing AAA titles, indie games, tabletop gaming, and community-driven events together under one roof.
Unlike many conventions, PAX West puts gamers first. Its free play areas, demo stations, competitions, exclusive panels, tournaments, and meet-ups not only foster a strong community spirit but also maximize engagement and increase dwell time in exhibitor booths.
The event’s Seattle setting, energetic fan culture, and hands-on experiences create a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere for both attendees and exhibitors.
Flights and accommodation
PAX West is held at the Seattle Convention Center, which is less than a half-hour drive from Seattle–Tacoma International Airport.
There are a plethora of hotels close to the convention center due to its convenient city center location. Check out this Reddit forum to see where people have stayed previously.
Contact information
paxquestions@reedexpo.com (General)
paxsales@paxsite.com (Advertising and Sales)
1-877-674-8241
2. PAX East – Boston, MA
Website
Focus areas
Video games (AAA and indie), tabletop, community events, panels/discussions
Why it’s unique
PAX East is a hugely popular, genre-diverse event that attracts visitors from across North America and Europe.
Tens of thousands of highly engaged gamers, streamers, press, and industry professionals flock to Boston for this festival every year, giving exhibitors access to their core consumers and key decision-makers.
Some of the most popular games at PAX East include Call of Duty, Halo, Gears of War, and Witcher. However, it has a strong reputation for championing indie games through showcases like PAX Rising, which help smaller brands stand out alongside AAA developers.
It also features a fully developed tabletop hall as well as dedicated zones for TCGs, RPGs, and social‑deduction games.
PAX East typically takes place in March and April, and its timing early in the year allows developers to build momentum for new releases, test concepts, and gather player feedback before peak launch seasons.
Flights and accommodation
PAX East is held at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, which is less than four miles from Boston Logan International Airport. You can read where attendees recommend staying here.
Contact information
paxquestions@reedexpo.com (General)
paxsales@paxsite.com (Advertising and Sales)
1-877-674-8241
3. San Diego Comic Convention (Comic-Con International) – San Diego, CA
Website
Focus areas
Video games, pop culture, comics, cosplay, tabletop games, multimedia
Why it’s unique
Gaming conventions don’t come much bigger than this.
The San Diego Comic Convention (Comic-Con International) attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. In 2022, this event welcomed more than 135,000 attendees and generated $3 million in hotel and sales tax revenue for the city, according to city documents.
It’s held at the San Diego Convention Center, a 2.6 million-square-foot facility with over 460,000 square feet of exhibition space.
You get the picture. It’s a big deal.
It’s also considered to be the world’s most influential pop-culture convention, with gamers, comic fans, film and TV enthusiasts, collectors, and members of the cosplay community among those in attendance.
Throw all of the major studios, publishers, and indie creators into the mix, and you can see why it’s a no-brainer for exhibitors.
You’ll benefit from global media coverage, viral social content, and the chance to test your products with a highly knowledgeable and receptive audience.
Flights and accommodation
The San Diego Convention Center is less than a 15-minute drive from San Diego International Airport. As you can imagine, hotels get booked up pretty fast, so get in as early as possible to secure the best deals. You can read which hotels attendees have stayed at here.
Contact information
(619) 414-1020 or you can submit your query here
4. GDC Festival of Gaming – San Francisco, CA
Website
Focus areas
Video game development (industry, indie, and AAA), programming, design, business, networking
Why it’s unique
At the time of writing, the GDC Festival of Gaming is the world’s largest professional game industry event, attracting around 30,000 visitors annually.
As stated on its website, this is where the entire B2B games industry comes together. It serves as a central hub for networking, business development, learning, and inspiration among the game development community.
All of the industry’s key players attend this event, whether they be game developers, publishers, or investors. There is also an expo floor with hundreds of exhibitors.
The event was recently rebranded, having originally held the title of Game Developers Conference (GDC).
It’s typically held in early or mid-March, which is perfect timing for exhibitors looking to make their mark early in the year.
Above all, it presents the chance to learn, connect, collaborate, and shape the future of games.
Flights and accommodation
The GDC Festival of Gaming is held at the Moscone Center, which is easily accessible from both Oakland International Airport and San Francisco International Airport. There are plenty of highly-rated hotels within a short walking distance of the venue.
Contact information
(415) 947-6926 (Registration)
1-866-561-0540, Option 6 (Hotel Questions)
5. QuakeCon – Dallas / Grapevine, TX
Website
https://quakecon.bethesda.net/en/
Focus areas
PC gaming, Local Area Network (LAN) parties, competitive gaming, community gaming events
Why it’s unique
QuakeCon is North America’s premier Bring-Your-Own-Computer (BYOC)/LAN event. In fact, it’s one of the largest events of its kind in the world.
This four-day, annual gaming convention is typically held in early to mid-August.
It celebrates games of all genres and is open to gamers of all levels of experience, from casual to competitive. They get to partake in various on-site activities, including BYOC community tournaments, a Quake Champions Duel Open Tournament, and much more.
The fact attendees are using their PCs for most of the event gives exhibitors a unique opportunity to showcase hardware, peripherals, and other products that attendees can try there and then.
QuakeCon also features Bethesda/id presentations and tabletop and arcade zones, giving brands further touchpoints in which to engage with attendees, gather feedback, and build long‑term loyalty.
Flights and accommodation
QuakeCon has traditionally taken place at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center in Grapevine, Texas — around a half-hour drive from Dallas and just over four miles from Dallas/Ft. Worth Airport. Explore the best hotels near the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center here.
Contact information
6. Anime Expo (AX) – Los Angeles, CA
Website
Focus areas
Anime, cosplay, games, pop culture, community and creator spaces
Why it’s unique
Anime Expo, known as AX for short, is North America’s flagship Japanese pop‑culture marketplace.
Held annually at the Los Angeles Convention Center, this five-day convention is the largest of its kind in North America, drawing in approximately 100,000 attendees from over 65 different countries.
The vast Exhibit Hall is described on the event’s website as ‘a treasure trove of over 340,000 square feet.’ For context, this is about the same size as six football fields. Booth sizes in this hall start at 10′ x 10′, and certain restrictions and requirements apply for exhibitors with prop weapons.
In the Entertainment Hall, booth sizes are typically larger to accommodate for interactive content. You can read more about the exhibiting opportunities at Anime Expo here.
This event features a wide variety of events and activities, including cosplay contests, panels with industry guests, musical performances, and more.
If you want to take advantage of the huge visibility and sales potential on offer (and are a fan of anime or Japanese culture), then Anime Expo is a must-attend event!
Flights and accommodation
This event is typically held around the July 4th holiday weekend, so booking your flights and accommodation in advance is essential. The Los Angeles Convention Center is less than a 40-minute drive from Los Angeles International Airport and close to many hotels. You can also read hotel recommendations from past attendees on sites like Reddit and TripAdvisor.
Contact information
Submit your query here.
7. BlizzCon – Anaheim, CA
Website
Focus areas
Specific publisher games, esports
Why it’s unique
BlizzCon is a gaming convention held by Blizzard Entertainment. Founded in 2005, it’s hyper-targeted and built around some of the most passionate fandoms in gaming, including World of Warcraft, Diablo, Overwatch, and other Blizzard franchises.
Attendees come specifically for Blizzard titles, meaning you’re exhibiting to a hyper-targeted audience that’s deeply engaged, tech-forward, and eager to discover new experiences.
This convention is held annually in Anaheim, California, and usually takes place in October or November. It features a variety of events, including panel discussions, hands-on demo zones, and esports tournaments that draw massive crowds.
Its online viewership figures are amazing, too, with BlizzCon 2023 receiving more than 8 million watch hours on platforms such as Twitch and YouTube.
BlizzCon is also known for its cosplay contest, which attracts some of the best cosplayers in the world. If you’re a fan of Blizzard Entertainment’s games, then this is the convention for you!
Flights and accommodation
Since October 2005, BlizzCon has taken place at the Anaheim Convention Center, which is close to numerous airports. The closest and most convenient airport is John Wayne Airport (SNA), located in Orange County, around a half-hour drive away. You also have the option to fly to Long Beach Airport, which is just over 14 miles away, or a 40-minute drive. Los Angeles International Airport is around an hour away.
If you’re looking for nearby hotels, check out the comments from this Facebook post featuring plenty of recommendations.
Contact information
blizzcon@blizzard.com (General and accessibility)
BCPartnerships@Blizzard.com (Business)
Put your best foot forward at your next convention
The Trade Group will help you attract your ideal leads on the trade show floor and convert them into customers.
Since 1986, we’ve helped businesses like yours create immersive, storytelling exhibits, captivate your audience, and complete game-changing deals for your business (pun intended).
Contact us here or give us a call at (800) 343-2005.
