PAX Unplugged 2026
Event Date
December 4–6, 2026
Location
Philadelphia, PA
About This Show
AI-drafted summaryPAX Unplugged is a three-day fan convention dedicated entirely to tabletop gaming, held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia. Part of the PAX family of shows produced by ReedPop, it brings together board games, card games, tabletop RPGs, miniatures, and the culture surrounding them. The 2026 edition runs December 4-6, 2026. As the organizers describe it, PAX Unplugged is a celebration of tabletop gaming.
The show draws a broad community of hobbyists, families, content creators, and industry professionals. A single badge unlocks the full experience with no hidden costs: attendees can explore a fully stacked expo hall, play in freeplay areas and the board game library, join live RPGs run by GMs, demo games in development, and attend panels led by industry professionals, celebrities, and creators.
PAX Unplugged is worth attending for its blend of discovery and play. Visitors get hands-on access to exhibitor exclusives and show specials, early looks at imported games not yet available in the U.S. via the First Look area, tournaments and workshops, and signature community features such as PAX Together and the Omegathon — all in a welcoming environment built for gamers of every level.
Show Highlights
PAX Unplugged packs its badge with features included at no extra cost:
- Expo Hall — a fully stacked show floor of games and tabletop goods, with exhibitor exclusives and show specials.
- First Look — a preview area featuring exclusive imported games not yet available in the U.S.
- Tabletop Freeplay & board game library — open play areas and an extensive library of games to borrow and try.
- Live RPGs — games to join at any level, with GMs running each session.
- Panels — sessions led by industry professionals, celebrities, creators, and enthusiastic fans.
- Omegathon — PAX's signature multi-round tournament, a hallmark of the show since its earliest days.
- PAX Together — a community-focused feature promoting inclusion and connection.
- PAX Rising Showcase — a spotlight for up-and-coming and independent game creators.
- Tournaments, competitions, and workshops — organized play across many games and skill levels.
- Game demos — hands-on playtesting of games in development, plus studio and brand experiences.
Registration
Badges (the entry passes) are purchased online through the official PAX Unplugged website; a single badge covers all show features with no extra fees for demos, panels, or autographing sessions.
Badge types and prices for 2026:
- 3-Day Badge — $112.34 ($101.99 + $5.00 service fee + 5% sales tax)
- Friday — $52.50 ($45 + $5.00 service fee + 5% sales tax)
- Saturday — $55.65 ($48 + $5.00 service fee + 5% sales tax)
- Sunday — $52.50 ($45 + $5.00 service fee + 5% sales tax)
- 3-Day Kids Badge — $47.25 ($40 + $5.00 service fee + 5% sales tax)
- Kids single-day (Fri/Sat/Sun) — $21.00 each ($15 + $5.00 service fee + 5% sales tax)
Key 2026 dates:
- August 13, 2026 — Badges go on sale.
- October 14, 2026 — Last day to have badges mailed.
- October 22, 2026 — Early Bird pricing ends (prices increase) and the last chance to be considered for the Omegathon.
- November 30, 2026 — On-site badge price increase the week of the show.
History
PAX began in 2004 when the team behind Penny Arcade created a show exclusively to celebrate gaming and game culture; exactly 1,337 people pre-registered for the very first event. PAX grew rapidly — roughly doubling in size each year until it reached venue capacity — after which the organizers partnered with Reed Exhibitions to bring PAX to additional cities including Boston, San Antonio, Philadelphia, and Melbourne, Australia.
PAX Unplugged was launched after the tabletop sections at the original PAX shows kept growing. The first PAX Unplugged took place November 17-19, 2017, in Philadelphia, and it has become the tabletop-focused entry in the PAX family, which also includes PAX West, PAX East, and PAX Aus. The event is produced by ReedPop.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is PAX Unplugged 2026?
PAX Unplugged 2026 takes place December 4-6, 2026, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, 1101 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107. Show hours are 10:00 AM to midnight on Friday and Saturday and 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Sunday, with the Expo Hall open 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM each day.
How much do badges cost and when do they go on sale?
For 2026, a 3-Day Badge is $112.34, single-day badges range from $52.50 to $55.65, and kids' badges start at $21.00 per day. Badges go on sale August 13, 2026, with early bird pricing ending October 22, 2026.
What is included with a PAX Unplugged badge?
A single badge covers all the main show features with no hidden costs, including the expo hall, panels, the board game library and freeplay areas, live RPGs run by GMs, game demos, tournaments and workshops, the First Look imported-games area, and features like PAX Together and the Omegathon.
Who should attend PAX Unplugged?
PAX Unplugged is for anyone who loves tabletop gaming — board games, card games, RPGs, and miniatures — including casual players, families, content creators, and industry professionals. Kids' badges are available, and features are designed for gamers of every level.
How do I get to the Pennsylvania Convention Center?
The venue is in Center City Philadelphia and sits directly above SEPTA's Jefferson Station. Philadelphia International Airport is about 9 miles away and connects via SEPTA's Airport Regional Rail Line, and the center is also reachable by subway, bus, rideshare, and car, with numerous parking garages and lots nearby that can be reserved through SpotHero.
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