SEATTLE — Thousands of gaming enthusiasts gathered at the Seattle Convention Center over Labor Day weekend for PAX West 2026, a four-day convention featuring playable game demos, industry panels, esports competitions, tabletop gaming and appearances by prominent figures in the video game industry.
The convention ran Sept. 4-7 across the convention center’s Arch and Summit buildings, bringing together game developers, publishers, voice actors, content creators and fans for one of the gaming community’s major annual gatherings.
Among the featured guests was Marc Merrill, co-founder, co-chairman and chief product officer of Riot Games, the company behind League of Legends and VALORANT. Merrill delivered the convention’s opening Storytime keynote Sept. 4, discussing his career and the development of Riot Games.
The event continued a tradition that began in the Seattle area more than two decades ago, when Penny Arcade creators Jerry Holkins and Mike Krahulik organized the first Penny Arcade Expo in 2004 at Bellevue’s Meydenbauer Center. The convention eventually outgrew its original venue and relocated to Seattle in 2007 before adopting the PAX West name in 2015.
Game announcements and hands-on demos
The expo hall remained a central attraction, giving attendees opportunities to try upcoming releases, explore independent games and meet developers behind new projects.
One of the weekend’s major announcements came from Firaxis Games, which marked the 35th anniversary of its Civilization franchise with news about Civilization VII. The studio announced the Arc of Tomorrow update and Earthrise expansion, both planned for release in 2027, according to post-convention coverage.
Other games drawing attention included Persona 4 Revival, Astonishia Story, Cozy Builder, Planted! and Mayday: The Survival Island, among titles featured in coverage of the convention’s announcements and playable demonstrations.
Independent developers also had a prominent place at the event. PAX Rising, a curated showcase operated by convention organizers, highlights emerging games selected for their creativity, gameplay and entertainment value.
The expo hall also offered opportunities for attendees to discover smaller studios and games outside the major publisher releases, continuing a longstanding component of PAX West’s programming.
Panels, performances and competitions
Beyond the expo floor, panels and live programming offered opportunities to hear from developers, performers and gaming personalities.
Konami hosted programming focused on its Silent Hill and Castlevania franchises. Square Enix also hosted a panel on their upcoming Final Fantasy VII: Revelation, which is the third and final installation on its highly anticipated Final Fantasy VII Remake series.
Other programming included community-oriented events, gaming discussions and interactive panels.
The convention’s schedule also encompassed tournaments, live performances, streaming-related programming and gaming sessions. These events gave attendees opportunities to watch competitive play, participate in activities and connect with people who share their interests.
PAX West’s broader programming traditionally includes the Omegathon, a multiday competition in which selected attendees compete in different games, along with the PAX Arena esports program and tournaments spanning various genres.
Music has also remained part of the convention experience, with performances complementing the gaming exhibitions and panel discussions.
Tabletop gaming and community events
Although video games remain a major draw, PAX West also caters to tabletop enthusiasts through board games, trading card games, role-playing games and miniature gaming.
The convention’s tabletop offerings have historically included open gaming tables, organized tournaments and opportunities to learn unfamiliar games. Past events have featured Magic: The Gathering, Pokémon Trading Card Game tournaments and Dungeons & Dragons sessions, alongside libraries of board games available for attendees to play.
The PAX Together program also promotes inclusion and representation within gaming. Its activities include community spaces, curated games and panels, and Demo Days, which provides exhibition opportunities for Black, Indigenous and other people of color who develop tabletop games.
Additional convention features include cosplay gatherings, community meetups, classic arcade games, handheld gaming lounges and virtual reality experiences. A family gaming area and quieter spaces also offer alternatives for attendees seeking different ways to participate.
A longstanding Seattle gaming tradition
PAX West has grown substantially since its early years in Bellevue. The original convention drew about 3,300 attendees in 2004 and expanded rapidly as its popularity increased, eventually moving to the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle.
In 2025 PAX West drew approximately 120,000 people during the four-day convention, with publishers including Nintendo, Bandai Namco, Larian Studios, Capcom, Gearbox, Ubisoft and Square Enix showcasing games. The event also featured developer discussions, tabletop activities, tournaments and live music.
The convention’s continued mix of major releases, independent development, tabletop gaming and community programming reflects its broad appeal to players across platforms and genres.
PAX West is scheduled to return to Seattle Sept. 3-6, 2027.
Author: Kienan Briscoe
