“I didn’t really think that far ahead, to be honest,” Lester says. “You just try and get through that first year. I never thought it would be as big as it is now.”
Warp ahead to 2025 and Game On Expo is now the Southwest's biggest video gaming event. Each year, thousands of people flock to the Phoenix Convention Center for three days of gaming, anime fandom, esports, concerts, cosplay and other activities.
Game On Expo’s 10th edition runs from Friday, April 4, to Sunday, April 6, and will feature special guests like skateboarding icon Tony Hawk (who’s making his first-ever con appearance), a new outdoor area along Third Street and more video games than you can possibly play in a single weekend. Here’s everything to know.
Members of local "Halo" cosplay group Fire Team Phoenix at last year's Game On Expo.
Benjamin Leatherman
Does Phoenix have a video game convention?
Yes. Game On Expo offers three days of gaming, anime, esports, music, cosplay and other activities. The event has taken place almost every year since 2015. When is Game On Expo this year?
Game On Expo 2025 is from Friday, April 4, to Sunday, April 6.Where is the Phoenix Convention Center?
The Phoenix Convention Center is located at 100 N. Third St. Game On Expo will take place in the north building. Activities will be offered along Third Street between Washington and Monroe streets.What time is Game On Expo?
Here are the official Game On Expo hours:- Friday, April 4: 1 to 10 p.m.
- Saturday, April 5: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Sunday, April 6: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Here are Game On Expo’s Exhibit Hall hours:
- Friday, April 4: 1 to 7 p.m.
- Saturday, April 5: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Sunday, April 6: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Game On Expo 2025 tickets
Game On Expo passes can be purchased at gameonexpo.com/buy-passes or at the event. Prices are as follows:- Friday only: $50
- Saturday only: $60
- Sunday only: $50
- Full event pass (all three days): $80
- VIP event pass: $180
- Player 2 child pass (10 and under): free with paid adult
Game On Expo discounts
A 10% discount off a full-event pass is available when using the Game On Expo promo code “ExtraLife” at checkout when buying admission online. A donation will be made to Phoenix Children's Hospital for the same amount as the discount.
Who can attend Game On Expo?
Game On Expo is an all-ages and family-friendly event. Getting to Phoenix Convention Center
Valley Metro Rail stations are located near the Phoenix Convention Center. Fares are $2 per ride or $4 for an all-day pass. Valley Metro also operates several “park-and-ride” lots throughout the Valley.Parking
Street parking is available in downtown Phoenix for $1 to $1.50 per hour between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. daily. You can use the ParkMobile app to reserve and pay for a spot in advance. Parking garages and surface lots are also available within walking distance of the Phoenix Convention Center. Prices range from $20 to $50 per vehicle, per day.
The security checkpoint outside of the Phoenix Convention Center during Game On Expo 2024.
Benjamin Leatherman
Game On Expo prop and bag policy
Game On Expo security will use metal detectors or conduct physical pat-downs outside of the convention center. Bags are allowed but are subject to search. All props must be checked and peace-bonded. Cosplay may also require additional screening by security. What's not allowed at Game On Expo
Prop guns, anything resembling a firearm, or any bladed metal or wooden weapons (such as axes or daggers) aren’t allowed. Ditto for blunt weapons like bats or clubs made from hard plastic, wood or metal, as well as whips, metal chains, paddles and spikes. Skateboards can only be brought in if the wheels and trucks are removed.Food and drink options
Outside food and drink won't be allowed into the Phoenix Convention Center. Food trucks will be parked outside along Third Street and a food court and coffee stands will be located on the first floor of the convention center's North Building. Can I bring in water?
Yes. Personal bottles of water will be allowed into the event and there are multiple refill stations on the first floor of the North Building.
Game On Expo 2025 guests
More than 30 special guests are scheduled to appear at Game On Expo, including voice actors, YouTube creators, professional cosplayers and gaming industry icons. Skateboarding icon Tony Hawk tops the lineup and will be making his first-ever con appearance. Here’s a complete list of Game On Expo’s 2025 guests:- Tony Hawk, pro skateboarding legend
- Troy Baker, “The Last of Us”
- Don Bluth, animation legend
- Rob Paulsen, “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”
- Sam Witwer, “Star Wars: The Force Unleashed”
- Townsend Coleman, “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”
- Aaron “Jaws” Homoki, pro skateboarder
- Valerie Arem, “Spider-Man: Web of Shadows”
- Samantha Béart, "Baldur's Gate 3"
- JB Blanc, “Bleach”
- Johnny Yong Bosch, “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers”
- Cam Clarke, “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”
- Steve Downes, “Halo”
- Maile Flanagan, “Naruto”
- Barry Gordon, “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”
- James Rolfe, “Angry Video Game Nerd”
- Jason Griffith, “Sonic X”
- Erika Harlacher, “Persona 5”
- Nadji Jeter, “Spider-Man”
- Elle Newlands, “Apex Legends”
- Tara Platt, “Naruto”
- Yuri Lowenthal, “Spider-Man”
- Alejandro Saab, “Dragon Ball Legends”
- William Salyers, “Regular Show”
- Erica Schroeder, “Pokémon”
- Theo Solomon, “Baldur’s Gate 3”
- Jason Spisak, “Arcane”
- Kaiji Tang, “Genshin Impact”
- Courtenay Taylor, “Fallout 4”
- Jen Taylor, “Halo”
- Mark Whitten, “Fire Emblem”
- Ivy Doomkitty, professional cosplayer
- The Honky Tonk Man, WWE Hall of Famer
How much are autographs and photos?
Photo and autograph prices vary by special guest. You can view the full list here. Photos and autographs with Tony Hawk must be purchased in advance through the Game On Expo website.
Gaming at Game On Expo
The event will feature 100-plus tables featuring the latest gaming consoles — including the PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch and Xbox Series X — and high-end PC gaming rigs will be set up throughout the event. There will also be a free-play arcade and multiple rooms equipped with the consoles of yesteryear, such as the Nintendo Entertainment System, Sega Genesis, Atari Jaguar and PlayStation. Esports and tournaments
Game On Expo will host esports competitions and tournaments focusing on "Halo," "Tetris," "Dr. Mario," "Super Smash Bros." and other games. Meanwhile, the Retro Championships will take place with competitors playing a combination of classic games. The winner will get a custom wrestling-style championship belt. Details can be found here.Vendors
More than 200 vendors will be at Game On Expo 2024, ranging from local game stores to companies like Microsoft. An artist alley featuring a lineup of local creatives is also planned.
Cosplay
Costumes inspired by games, pop culture and geeky subject matter are encouraged at Game On Expo. Throughout the weekend, there will be cosplay meetups, workshops and programming (click here for the full schedule).When is the Game On Expo cosplay contest? The 2025 edition will be held from 4 to 6:30 p.m. on Saturday in panel room 127ABC. Prizes will be awarded to the best costumes and judging will occur earlier in the day. Full details are available here.
Concerts
Game On Expo will host outdoor performances by geeky musicians and bands along Third Street each day of the event. Here's the full schedule:- 4:30 p.m., Friday: Jason Heine (live drum covers of retro game music)
- 6 p.m., Friday: Extra Lives (interactive video game concert)
- 7:30 p.m., Friday: Shihori (J-pop singer/songwriter)
- 1 p.m., Saturday: Steven Strums (acoustic rock covers of retro game music)
- 2 p.m., Saturday: FamilyJules (metal covers of video game music)
- 3 p.m., Saturday: Kirby's Dream Band (video game cover band)
- 4:30 p.m., Saturday: Super MadNES (‘80s heavy metal video game covers)
- 6 p.m., Saturday: Rex Viper (retro ‘80s covers and mash-ups)
- 7:30 p.m., Saturday: The Living Tombstone (game-inspired electronic rock)
- 1 to 5 p.m., Sunday: Rock Band Karaoke
