Midwest Gaming Classic returns to Milwaukee this weekend. How to get tickets and what to know about the convention
The annual convention began in a basement in the early 2000s when an online-based group of enthusiasts of the Atari Jaguar console decided to get together, said Midwest Gaming Classic's official "hype man," Andy Nelson. Over time, the convention expanded to Brookfield and, now, has taken place in downtown Milwaukee's Baird Center for over five years.
The massive event offers 10,000 free-to-play games, 200 vendors and 100 industry guests. Last year, it brought more than 30,000 gaming enthusiasts from around the world, Nelson said. At least that many are expected again.
The lineup encompasses a wide variety of games, including arcade games, chess, crane games, modern video games, pinball, retro games, speed cubing, tabletop games and trading card games. On its website, the convention says it's the "largest and longest running all-encompassing gaming event."
Here's what to know about this year's Midwest Gaming Classic:
You can still get tickets for this year's Midwest Gaming Classic. According to the website, online ticket pre-ordering ended Thursday. However, the website says you can buy tickets at the door for:
$65 on Saturday
$35 on Sunday for "Family Day"
$80 for both days
Admission is free for children 9 and under, Nelson said.
The Midwest Gaming Classic 2025 runs from Friday, April 4 to Sunday, April 6 at the Baird Center, 400 W. Wisconsin Ave.
The Friday "Preview Night" from 6 p.m. to midnight is already sold out. The convention runs 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Sunday is "Family Day." There are plenty of 4+-player games and activities for all ages to enjoy.
Nelson said the convention provides a great opportunity for parents and grandparents to share their favorite childhood games with the next generations ... and for youngsters to teach their older family members new games.
In addition to thousands of free-to-play games, convention attendees can find everything from industry speakers and meet-and-greets to gaming tournaments to a giant monster truck.
"It's just a celebration of every type of gaming," Nelson said. "People coming together and celebrating things like consoles from the '80s and '90s, pinball from the '70s and '80s, arcade games, new gaming and tabletop gaming.
"Really, any game that's been created in the past 50 years is probably here, with people playing it and having a good time."
Many rare and retro games are brought to the convention by collectors and gaming companies, allowing gamers to play things they might not be able to anywhere else.
Nelson highlighted the convention's Tabletop Village, where attendees can find tabletop board games, tabletop RPGs and trading card games and play together. Nelson said some of the founders of Dungeons & Dragons will be at the event.
Last year, the Midwest Gaming Classic attracted more than 33,000 people from across the world, from as far as Germany and Japan, Nelson said. The event is a big boost to Milwaukee's economy.
"This is a home-grown event ... built by local people here in Milwaukee, and Visit Milwaukee estimates that there will be over $3 million spent just in downtown Milwaukee, going to downtown restaurants, hotels and bars," Nelson said.
You can book parking in advance at the Baird Center through SpotHero. You can view more transportation options on the event's website.
To get tickets and learn more about the games, vendors, guests and activities at the event, visit: midwestgamingclassic.com.
More: From a basement to the Baird Center: How Midwest Gaming Classic got huge
More: 10 Dungeons & Dragons sites you can visit in Lake Geneva, where the game was born
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: What to know about Midwest Gaming Classic 2025: tickets, games, info
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