PAX West Expo 2026
Event Date
September 4–7, 2026
Location
Seattle, WA
About This Show
AI-drafted summaryPAX West is one of the largest gaming festivals in North America, held annually in downtown Seattle over Labor Day weekend. It is a celebration of gaming and gaming culture featuring thought-provoking panels, a massive expo hall filled with the best publishers and studios, new game demos, musical performances, tournaments, and a community experience unlike any other.
The show draws a broad audience of gaming enthusiasts, from casual players to hardcore fans, alongside developers, publishers, content creators, and press. It features a massive expo hall with booths from major publishers and studios, as well as indie developers. It is a chance to try out new games, meet new people, and experience the latest in gaming and geek culture.
What makes PAX West worth attending is its all-access format and community spirit. PAX West 2025 welcomed more than a hundred thousand attendees from all over the world, with even more fans coming together digitally to participate in the festivities hosted across Twitch, Steam, and other online platforms. Nearly all content is included with a single badge, making it an immersive four-day experience for anyone passionate about games.
Show Highlights
PAX West 2026 packs its two-building campus with panels, playable demos, concerts, esports, and community events. Highlights and signature features include:
- Storytime Keynote — Marc Merrill, the Co-Founder, Co-Chairman, and Chief Product Officer of Riot Games, opens the show at the Main Theatre on Friday, September 4.
- Two new 2026 areas — the Creator Stage, where attendees can discover new games and catch favorite personalities, and the new PAX Art Hub featuring professional artists.
- PAX Arena — a dedicated esports stage with live competitions starring pros, content creators, and amateur players.
- The Omegathon — a multi-round gaming competition for PAX attendees.
- PAX Rising Showcase — a spotlight on indie developers.
- PAX Together — programming celebrating diversity and underrepresented groups in gaming.
- Bandland & Concerts, Cosplay Village, Tabletop Freeplay, and Tournaments.
- Freeplay areas with over 2,500 games across current and classic consoles, handheld, PC, VR, and tabletop gaming.
- PAXLand — the official theme for the 2026 edition.
Attendance
PAX West 2025 welcomed more than a hundred thousand attendees from all over the world, with even more fans coming together digitally to participate in the festivities hosted across Twitch, Steam, and other online platforms. PAX West is described by organizers as the West Coast's most-attended gaming event.
Registration
Nearly all show content is accessible with a single badge. Virtually all content at PAX West is accessible through the badge, with no extra fees for the biggest panels, autograph sessions, demos, or even concerts.
PAX West badges go on sale on May 21, 2026 at 12:00 PM PT. Badge prices include the badge cost, service fee, and 5% Seattle event admission tax:
- 4-Day badge: $264.60
- Friday (single day): $81.90
- Saturday (single day): $88.20
- Sunday (single day): $81.90
- Monday (single day): $59.85
- New Kids 4-Day (ages 7-12): $59.85
- BYOC (Bring Your Own Computer) add-on: $56.70 — note this grants access to the private BYOC area only and must be accompanied by a PAX day badge.
Key deadlines for 2026:
- May 21, 2026 — Badges go on sale.
- July 6, 2026 — Badge mailing deadline (last day to have badges mailed).
- July 14, 2026 — Early Bird pricing ends; last chance to be considered for the Omegathon.
- September 1, 2026 — On-site price increase (badge pricing increases the week of the show).
Organizers recommend having badges shipped to avoid onsite pickup lines; expedited shipping with tracking is $22.00.
History
PAX, or Penny Arcade Expo, is a festival for gamers to celebrate gaming culture, first held in Seattle in 2004. Since its founding, the event has grown substantially, expanding across multiple editions worldwide. PAX West is billed as the original, the one that started it all, the PAX before all other PAXes.
The brand now spans several events, including PAX East, PAX Aus, and PAX Unplugged. Show organizers ReedPop and Penny Arcade announced at the conclusion of PAX West 2025 that the 2026 edition returns to the Seattle Convention Center over Labor Day weekend.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is PAX West 2026?
PAX West 2026 takes place September 4-7, 2026, over Labor Day weekend at the Seattle Convention Center in downtown Seattle, Washington. The show spans two connected buildings: the Arch Building at 705 Pike Street and the Summit Building at 900 Pine Street.
How much do PAX West badges cost and when do they go on sale?
Badges go on sale May 21, 2026 at 12:00 PM PT. A 4-Day badge is $264.60, and single-day badges range from $59.85 (Monday) to $88.20 (Saturday), with all prices including the service fee and 5% Seattle admission tax. Early Bird pricing ends July 14, 2026, and prices increase onsite starting September 1, 2026.
What is included with a PAX West badge?
A single badge grants access to nearly everything at the show with no extra fees, including two Expo Halls, panels, special guest autograph sessions, concerts in Bandland, tournaments, the PAX Arena esports stage, the Omegathon, and freeplay areas with over 2,500 games.
Who should attend PAX West?
PAX West is for gaming enthusiasts of all kinds, from casual to hardcore players, as well as developers, publishers, indie studios, content creators, and press. Attendees can try new game demos, meet others in the community, and experience the latest in gaming and geek culture.
How do I get to the Seattle Convention Center for PAX West?
The closest airport is Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). Organizers recommend the Link light rail, which runs from SeaTac into downtown and stops near the venue at Westlake. Rideshare and city buses are also convenient, and SpotHero offers advance parking reservations for those driving.
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