For many years, there have been all sorts of video game-related events that happen each month. From developer-focused conferences like GDC to big conventions like Gamescom or PAX, there is always something going on.
Even after the unfortunate demise of the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), there are still plenty of events where players get the chance to learn about upcoming releases and even try them out on some occasions. 2025 has plenty of events already scheduled, so if you want to learn more about when certain events take place, you will find that below.
2025 Video Game Release Date Calendar
2025 may be coming to an end soon, but there are still plenty of big video games coming out.
Updated on June 1, 2025, by Paul Woodward: Summer is an exciting time for both the industry and gamers. This is usually the time of year when all sorts of games are announced and upcoming games get updates from developers. In place of E3, publishers and developers now have their own special events where they put the spotlight on their upcoming titles. In addition to Summer Games Fest, there will also be an Xbox Showcase and PC Gaming Show around the same time.
As more events are announced, they will be included here.
January 2025 Events
At the start of this year, there are a couple of big events going on. First off was the Consumer Entertainment Show (AKA CES) which ran from January 5 to January 10. The second event is the 14th Annual New York Game Awards on January 21.
|
Event Name |
Date |
Location |
Open to the Public? |
Estimated Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
14th Annual New York Game Awards |
January 21, 8 PM - 11 PM EST |
SVA Theatre, New York City |
- |
|
|
Taipei Game Showcase 2025 |
January 23-26 |
Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center, Taiwan |
Yes, but some areas are off-limits to the public. |
350,000 |
February 2025 Events
For February, there aren't a lot of events going on except for D.I.C.E. Summit 2025, which is a major event for professional game developers. The D.I.C.E. Awards ceremony is also part of this event. Steam Next Fest at the end of the month will give players a chance to check out demos of upcoming games.
|
Event Name |
Date |
Location |
Open to the Public? |
Estimated Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
D.I.C.E. Summit 2025 |
February 11–13 |
Aria Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada |
No, but the Award ceremony will be streamed. |
600 to 800, but not open to the public. |
|
Gamescom LAN 2025 |
February 21-23 |
Cologne, Germany |
Somewhere between 1,000 to 3,000. |
|
|
Steam Next Fest |
February 24 - March 3 |
Online |
Yes. |
N/A |
March 2025 Events
Like February, March is much more professional game developer-focused than later months. As far as coverage goes, you will often be able to find recordings of panels and workshops from GDC on places like YouTube. Presentations are not intended for the general public, but they are great for anyone interested in learning more about game design.
|
Event Name |
Date |
Location |
Open to the Public? |
Estimated Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
GDC |
March 17-21 |
Moscone Center, San Francisco, California |
No. |
28,000 |
April 2025 Events
In addition to some smaller events around the globe, two well-known events are happening in April. The first is the BAFTA Game Awards, and then there is the second annual Gamescom LATAM later in the month. For Nintendo fans, April will be especially exciting as there will be a Nintendo Direct that will be all about the Nintendo Switch 2. There will also be some opportunities for players to get their hands on the Nintendo Switch 2 at some upcoming events that Nintendo is hosting.
|
Event Name |
Date |
Location |
Open to the Public? |
Estimated Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Nintendo Direct: Nintendo Switch 2 |
April 2 |
Online Event |
It is a streamed event only. |
Streamed, so not applicable. |
|
BAFTA Game Awards |
April 8 |
Queen Elizabeth Hall, London |
No, but it will be streamed. |
Streamed, so not applicable. |
|
Gamescom LATAM |
April 30-May 5 |
São Paulo, Brazil |
Yes. |
150,000 are expected for 2025. |
May 2025 Events
In addition to Gamescom LATAM, PAX East has moved to May this year as opposed to March. There isn't a schedule for PAX East yet, but you'll want to keep an eye on the website if you are interested in attending. Those who love watching or participating in fighting game tournaments may want to consider EVO Japan. There will also be TwitchCon in Rotterdam at the end of the month.
|
Event Name |
Date |
Location |
Open to the Public? |
Estimated Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
PAX East |
May 8-11 |
Boston Convention Center, Boston, Massachusetts |
Yes. |
100,000+ |
|
EVO Japan |
May 9-11 |
Tokyo Big Sight, Tokyo, Japan |
Yes. You can register to watch or you can participate. |
At least several thousand participants. |
|
TwitchCon Rotterdam |
May 31–June 1 |
Rotterdam Ahoy, Rotterdam, The Netherlands |
Yes. |
11,000+ |
June 2025 Events
Summer is when a lot of the bigger events happen. E3 has been replaced with streamed events run by the publishers themselves, and there is also Geoff Keighley's Summer Game Fest, which is a great opportunity to hear about upcoming games. Two days after that, Microsoft will be revealing more about upcoming Xbox games at the Xbox Games Showcase on June 8th.
|
Event Name |
Date |
Location |
Open to the Public? |
Estimated Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Summer Game Fest |
June 6, 5-7 PM ET |
YouTube Theater, Los Angeles, California |
Yes, and it is a streamed event. |
Over one million viewers watched Summer Game Fest 2024. |
|
Future Games Show |
June 7 |
Online event. |
Yes, it will be streamed on all major platforms (YouTube, Twitch, etc). |
Online event, N/A |
|
Xbox Games Showcase |
June 8, 10 AM PT (1 PM EST) |
Online event. |
Yes, through YouTube and Twitch. |
Online event, N/A |
|
PC Gaming Show |
June 8, 12 PM PT (3 PM EST) |
Online event. |
Yes, though YouTube and Twitch. |
Online event, N/A |
July 2025 Events
One significant summer event in July is none other than the iconic San Diego Comic Con. While it originally started as a convention that was just about comics, it has since expanded and there have been many a panel about video games over the years.
|
Event Name |
Date |
Location |
Open to the Public? |
Estimated Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Tennocon 2025 |
July 18-19 |
Canada Life Palace, London, Ontario |
Yes, but in-person tickets are sold out. |
3,000 |
|
San Diego Comic Con |
July 24-27 |
San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, California |
Yes. |
130,000+ |
August 2025 Events
There are two major events in August. The first is Gamescom, and the second is PAX West. Gamescom is a great opportunity for players to check out upcoming games before they are released, and PAX is known for its panels, concerts, tournaments, and more.
|
Event Name |
Date |
Location |
Open to the Public? |
Estimated Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Quakecon 2025 |
August 7-10 |
Grapevine, Texas |
Yes. |
Approx 3,000+ |
|
Gamescom |
August 20–24 |
Cologne Fair, Cologne, Germany |
Yes. |
350,000+ |
|
PAX West |
August 29–September 1 |
Seattle Convention Center, Seattle, Washington |
Yes. |
120,000+ |
September 2025 Events
As summer winds down, there usually aren't many events until fall. That said, the Tokyo Game Show usually happens sometime in September, and it is always packed with new game announcements or updates on upcoming games.
|
Event Name |
Date |
Location |
Open to the Public? |
Estimated Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Tokyo Game Show |
September 25-28 |
Makuhari Messe, Tokyo, Japan |
300,000+ |
October 2025 Events
October is certainly going to be a jam-packed month in terms of video game-related events. From tournaments to general entertainment conventions, there is something for everyone in the United States and across the world.
|
Event Name |
Date |
Location |
Open to the Public? |
Estimated Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
New York Comic Con |
October 9-12 |
Javits Center, New York City, New York |
200,000+ |
|
|
EVO France |
October 10-12 |
Nice, France |
Yes. |
Thousands of registered players. |
|
TwitchCon San Diego |
October 17-19 |
San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, California |
Yes, but tickets are not yet available for purchase. |
20,000+ |
|
Gamescom Asia |
October 30-November 2 |
Suntech Singapore Convention & Exhibition Center, Singapore |
40,000+ |
November 2025 Events
Fans of board games, tabletop games, and card games are in for a treat in November. PAX Unplugged will be held in November at the Philadelphia Convention Center.
|
Event Name |
Date |
Location |
Open to the Public? |
Estimated Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
PAX Unplugged |
November 21-23 |
Philadelphia Convention Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
30,000+ |
December 2025 Events
There typically aren't many events that go on during the last month of the year, but that doesn't mean that there isn't anything to look forward to. The Game Awards is always an exciting event to watch to see which game gets the highly coveted Game of the Year award. All sorts of exciting announcements happen at The Game Awards as well, giving players plenty to look forward to as the new year approaches.
|
Event Name |
Date |
Location |
Open to the Public? |
Estimated Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
The Game Awards |
December 11 |
Peacock Theater, Los Angeles, California |
Yes, but public tickets are very limited. |
Streamed, so millions of viewers across platforms like YouTube and Twitch. |
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