If you live and breathe games—whether it’s tabletop, console, PC, mobile, or VR—mark your calendar now. The very first National Gaming Expo (NGE) is coming to Tampa from August 8–10, 2025, and it’s shaping up to be one of the biggest and boldest events of the year.
Hosted at the Florida State Fairgrounds, this brand-new expo is aiming to draw around 30,000 attendees for a high-energy weekend filled with tournaments, panels, live demos, shopping, cosplay, and more. It’s a full celebration of gaming culture—and it’s all happening under one roof.
From the second you walk in, you’ll be surrounded by everything that makes gaming so electrifying. Expect hands-on experiences with new and unreleased titles, a massive vendor hall packed with gear and collectibles, indie game showcases, retro arcades, and dedicated areas for tabletop RPGs, card games, and board games. Esports fans can cheer on live competitions, while streamers and content creators will be there to meet fans, sign autographs, and share behind-the-scenes stories.
Expect to meet a stacked lineup of gaming personalities, fan-favorite voice actors, and maybe even a few surprise celebrities. Photo ops and autographs will be available on-site, with tickets for those extras sold in person.
If you’re looking to shop, the expo’s vendor floor is where you’ll want to be. You’ll find everything from the latest in gaming tech to handmade merch, gamer apparel, rare collectibles, art, and even energy drinks to keep your stamina up. It’s a great spot to connect with indie developers, discover cool products, and support creators from all across the gaming world.
Doors open daily at 11 a.m.—Friday and Saturday wrap at 7 p.m., while Sunday closes earlier at 4 p.m. Tickets are $40 per day or $90 for a weekend pass, and kids under 4 get in free. Parking at the fairgrounds is $11, and tickets will be available both online and at the door.
Whether you’re going for the competition, the community, or just the thrill of discovering something new, the National Gaming Expo is your next big destination. It’s not just a con—it’s a full-scale celebration of everything we love about gaming.
Beam Me Up Scotty
Born and raised in the city of Miami. Lifelong pro wrestling fan. Been deep in the 'zine scene since ’84, interviewing locals, Hardcore, Punk, and Metal bands. Spent 26 years in the comic book biz and still obsessed with all things pop culture—Mego, Micronauts, Shogun Warriors, Die-Cast Metal Super Robots, you name it. I can go on about comic books and bad movies all day.
