Like just about everything else, gaming conventions were put on hold for an entire year during the Covid-19 global pandemic, with PAX East 2020 in February 2020 as one of the last in-person events. Reedpop has announced that 18 months later, PAX West 2021 will mark the triumphant return of the in-person gaming convention, taking place in Seattle, WA this Labor Day weekend, Friday Sept. 3 through Monday Sept. 6.

Badges for PAX West 2021 will go on sale in the next two weeks. Four day badges will cost $230, with individual day passes going for $60 each.

New health and safety guidelines have not yet been released. The press announcement states that “organizers are working with venue officials, local governments, and health authorities to determine event capacity, which will be reduced, and ensure a safe setting.”

The Penny Arcade Expo conventions bring major and indie publisher exhibits, vendors, expert panels, and concerts into a multi-day event. The conventions span across the US and Australia throughout the year, with Seattle’s PAX West as the original, and still the biggest, PAX event of the year.

“It’s been almost two years since the last PAX West, and it’s been surreal to imagine its triumphant return,” said Jerry Holkins, co-founder of Penny Arcade and PAX. “I can’t think of a better excuse to leave the house than PAX West.”

Badges for PAX Online East 2021 are available now, for $15. PAX Online is taking place July 15 through 18, and will feature big tournaments for Valorant and Rocket League, including thousands of dollars of prize money.


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Eric has been writing for over nine years with bylines at Dicebreaker, Pixelkin, Polygon, PC Gamer, Tabletop Gaming magazine, and more covering movies, TV shows, video games, tabletop games, and tech. He reviews and live streams D&D adventures every week on his YouTube channel. He also makes a mean tuna quesadilla.