Upcoming Retro Gaming Conventions & Expos in 2026: Full Calendar

Planning your convention season? Here’s a roundup of major retro gaming events across the U.S. in 2026—from arcades and vendor halls to tournaments, panels, and guest signings. Dates, venues, and links are below so you can bookmark your favorites.

For smaller or local shows (swap meets, mini-cons, regional gatherings), check local retro gaming groups, Facebook communities, and regional event listings as 2026 approaches.

Quick reference: 2026 retro gaming events

Super MAGFest 2026

January 8–11, 2026 · magfest.org

Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center, National Harbor, Maryland

MAGFest is one of the biggest gaming-focused events in the U.S., with 24-hour gaming, hundreds of arcade cabinets and pinball machines, chiptune and video game cover bands, tournaments, cosplay, indie game showcases, and panels. It blends music, retro gaming, and community in a single long weekend. If you’re on the East Coast or willing to travel, it’s a flagship stop.

Washington State Gaming Expo

February 6–8, 2026 · wagamingexpo.com

Washington State Events Center, Puyallup, WA

The Washington State Gaming Expo teams up with Anime Washington for “3 Days of PLAY” across 170,000 sq ft. You’ll find retro arcades and pinball, console free play, PC and handheld gaming, vendor hall, and panels. Family-friendly, locally owned, and strong on retro. A must for Pacific Northwest collectors.

Game On Expo

March 13–15, 2026 · gameonexpo.com

Phoenix Convention Center, Phoenix, AZ

The Southwest’s premier gaming, anime, and nostalgia event returns for its 11th year. Game On Expo focuses on retro gaming, arcades, and special guests, plus tabletop, music, and esports. Voted 2025 “Best Geek Convention” by Phoenix New Times.

SoCal Gaming Expo

June 5–7, 2026 · socalgamingexpo.com

Pasadena Convention Center, Pasadena, CA

Southern California’s premier gaming expo features a large vendor marketplace, Classic Tetris World Championships (qualifiers June 5, finals Sunday), free-play arcade and pinball, console freeplay, tabletop gaming, tournaments, cosplay, museum exhibits, and voice actors, industry guests, and creators. June 5 is Tetris-focused; June 6–7 are the main show days.

TooManyGames

June 26–28, 2026 · toomanygames.com

Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, Oaks, PA

TooManyGames is the longest-running video and board game convention in Pennsylvania. Highlights include tournaments across eras, huge marketplace known for rare and retro finds, special guests (creators, voice actors, musicians), indie devs, tabletop, cosplay, and live concerts. A staple for East Coast retro and game collectors.

LI Retro Gaming Expo

August 7–9, 2026 · liretro.com

Cradle of Aviation Museum, Garden City, NY

The Long Island Retro Gaming Expo bills itself as New York’s premier retro gaming convention. Expect arcades and pinball across multiple levels, console and PC gaming, exhibits, panels, vendors, live performances, pinball, cosplay, and a “Retro & Chill” area. Held every August at the Cradle of Aviation.

Portland Retro Gaming Expo

October 9–11, 2026 · retrogamingexpo.com

Oregon Convention Center, Portland, OR

Portland Retro Gaming Expo (PRGE) is one of the most established retro cons in the U.S. It offers arcade and pinball, museum exhibits, tournaments (including Tetris and pinball), guest signings and panels (voice actors, designers, creators), vendor hall, cosplay, retro computer exhibits, and special attractions (e.g. DeLorean, Neontendo). A top destination for West Coast retro fans.

Detroit Retro Gaming Show

November 7, 2026 · detroitretrogamingshow.com

Southfield Pavilion, Southfield, MI

The Detroit Retro Gaming Show is a one-day convention (typically 10am–4pm, with VIP early access) focused on retro games, trading cards, arcade & pinball, toys, and collectibles. It’s more than a marketplace—it emphasizes nostalgia, community, and collector culture. General admission and VIP tickets available; check the site for pricing and updates.

Retro World Expo

2026 dates TBA · retroworldexpo.com

Connecticut Convention Center, Hartford, CT

Retro World Expo is the Northeast’s premier retro gaming convention. The 2025 show ran September 12–14; 2026 dates are to be announced. Past editions have included a large vendor marketplace, free-play arcade and pinball, console gaming, tournaments (e.g. Northeast Tetris Regional), cosplay, panels, guest signings, and tabletop. Worth watching if you’re in the Northeast.

More events & local shows

MAGFest also runs MAGWest (Aug 14–16, 2026, San Jose, CA), MAGStock (Jun 11–14, 2026, Darlington, MD), and MAGLabs (Mar 21, 2026, Baltimore, MD)—check magfest.org for details.

For smaller or local events—swap meets, mini-cons, store events, regional gatherings—Facebook retro gaming groups, Discord servers, and local subreddits are good places to find listings. Timing often gets announced in late winter or early spring for spring/summer shows.

Summary

Always confirm dates, times, and ticket info on each event’s official website before you travel. We’ll update this roundup as 2026 dates and new shows are announced.

Sources: Washington State Gaming Expo, Game On Expo, TooManyGames, SoCal Gaming Expo, LI Retro, Portland Retro Gaming Expo, Detroit Retro Gaming Show, Retro World Expo, MAGFest.