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

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.

Watch PAX West's 2018 event:

PAX West:https://west.paxsite.com

PAX Twitter:https://twitter.com/Official_PAX?s=03

PAX Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/officialpax/

 

9. PAX Unplugged

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.

Watch PAX Unplugged 2018:

PAX Unplugged:https://unplugged.paxsite.com

PAX Twitter:https://twitter.com/Official_PAX?s=03

PAX Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/officialpax/

 

8. Gen Con

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.

Gen Con Highlights from 2018:

Gen Con:https://www.gencon.com

Gen Con Twitter:https://twitter.com/Gen_Con?s=03

Gen Con Facebook:https://m.facebook.com/genconindy?ref=hl

 

7. Blizzcon

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

Watch Blizzcon 2018:

Blizzcon:https://blizzcon.com/

Blizzcon Twitter:https://twitter.com/blizzard_ent?lang=en

Blizzcon Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/blizzcon/

 

6. Classic Game Fest

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

Here is what Classic Game Fest looks like:

Classic Game Fest:https://classicgamefest.com/

Classic Game Fest Twitter:https://twitter.com/classicgamefest?s=03

Classic Game Fest Facebook:https://m.facebook.com/ClassicGameFest/

 

5. Dragon Con

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

What is Dragon Con?

Dragon Con:http://www.dragoncon.org/

Dragon Con Twitter:https://twitter.com/DragonCon?s=03

Dragon Con Facebook:https://m.facebook.com/DragonConOfficial/

 

4. Portland Retro Gaming Expo

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.

Portland Retro Gaming Expo:https://www.retrogamingexpo.com/

Portland Retro Gaming Expo Twitter:https://twitter.com/RetroGamingExpo?s=03

Portland Retro Gaming Expo Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/PortlandRetro/

 

3. E3

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.

A two minute recap of 2019's E3:

E3:https://www.e3expo.com/

E3 Twitter:https://mobile.twitter.com/E3

E3 Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/E3Expo/

 

2. 2D Con

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.

A look at 2D Con 2018: Critical Hit

2D Con:https://www.2dcon.net

2D Con Facebook:https://m.facebook.com/2dcon/

2D Con Twitter:https://twitter.com/2Dconvention?s=03

 

1. Salt Lake Gaming Con

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.

A recap of 2018 Salt Lake Gaming Con:

Salt Lake Gaming Con:https://saltlakegamingcon.com/

Salt Lake Gaming Con Twitter:https://twitter.com/slgamingcon?lang=en

Salt Lake Gaming Con Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/SLGamingCon/

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.

You may also be interested in:

• Top Best Anime Conventions
• Top 10 Best Gaming Festivals in America
• Top 10 Best Geek Conventions