PAX Unplugged 2026: Everything You Need to Know About Philadelphia's Biggest Tabletop Gaming Event

PAX Unplugged is returning to Philadelphia this December, bringing three days of tabletop gaming, trading card games, RPGs, tournaments, panels, exhibitors, creators and gaming experiences to the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

And this year, RadioAnime will be there covering the action.

We recently received press credentials for PAX Unplugged 2026, giving us the opportunity to experience the show from the media side and bring our audience coverage from the convention floor.

PAX Unplugged 2026 takes place December 4–6, 2026, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

With more than 370 exhibitors already announced, this year's event is shaping up to be another massive gathering for tabletop gaming, card games, miniatures, RPGs and the communities surrounding them.

What Is PAX Unplugged?

PAX Unplugged is the tabletop-focused member of the PAX family, created specifically around analog gaming.

Instead of focusing primarily on traditional video games, Unplugged puts the spotlight on:

• Board games

• Trading card games

• Collectible card games

• Tabletop RPGs

• Miniatures

• Role-playing

• Tabletop tournaments

• Game design

• Indie publishers

• Community events

• Cosplay

• Panels

• Workshops

• Demos and playtesting

The show has been running in Philadelphia since 2017 and has grown into one of the largest tabletop-focused conventions in the United States.

PAX Unplugged 2026 Dates

📅 December 4–6, 2026

📍 Pennsylvania Convention Center
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The event runs Friday through Sunday, giving attendees an entire weekend to explore the show floor, participate in tournaments, attend panels, play games and meet other members of the tabletop community.

More Than 370 Exhibitors

One of the biggest attractions this year will be the massive expo hall.

PAX has announced more than 370 tabletop gaming exhibitors, bringing together some of the industry's biggest publishers, developers and brands.

Among the companies already announced are:

Wizards of the Coast

Fans can expect the worlds of Dungeons & Dragons and Magic: The Gathering to have a major presence.

Games Workshop

Warhammer fans will have plenty to explore, with Games Workshop included among the major exhibitors.

Asmodee

Asmodee is bringing some of its major tabletop properties, including games such as Star Wars: Legion and Marvel: Crisis Protocol.

Cephalofair Games

Fans of Gloomhaven will have an opportunity to check out Cephalofair's presence at the show.

UVS Games

Trading card game fans will have another major reason to visit, with Riftbound: League of Legends Trading Card Game represented at the show.

Other exhibitors include Simon & Schuster and IDW Publishing, showing just how broad the PAX Unplugged lineup has become.

Trading Card Games Take Center Stage

For RadioAnime readers, one of the areas we'll be watching closely is the trading card game scene.

PAX Unplugged has an extensive TCG and CCG component, and the 2026 show already has several major events announced.

Among them is the:

Magic: The Gathering | Star Trek PAX Championship

Magic players will have the opportunity to compete in a major PAX Championship event centered around the Star Trek crossover.

Disney Lorcana Challenge Championship Qualifiers

Disney Lorcana players will also be competing for a chance to advance through the game's competitive championship system.

Riftbound

With UVS Games attending, fans of Riftbound: League of Legends Trading Card Game will also have plenty of reason to visit the expo hall.

PAX's official feature lineup also includes dedicated TCG Events, bringing players together from across the community.

Tournaments, Competitions and More

PAX Unplugged isn't simply an exhibition.

The show is built around participation.

Attendees can compete in tournaments, join organized play, participate in workshops and experience tabletop games throughout the weekend.

PAX also highlights its Omegathon, a massive multi-round competition that runs throughout the convention.

Twenty Omeganauts compete through multiple rounds until only two remain for the final round.

There will also be:

• Tabletop tournaments

• TCG competitions

• Miniatures events

• RPG sessions

• Megagames

• Workshops

• Game demos

• Playtesting

• Tabletop freeplay

Panels and Industry Programming

Panels are another major part of the PAX experience.

PAX describes its panels as a way to explore different aspects of gaming culture, featuring industry professionals, creators, personalities and members of the community.

The full PAX Unplugged schedule is expected to be released closer to the convention, with the official schedule currently providing previews while additional programming is announced.

That means there is still plenty to be revealed.

Expect programming covering tabletop games, RPGs, game design, creators, gaming culture and the industry's biggest franchises.

And once the complete schedule is available, RadioAnime will be keeping an eye on the panels that are particularly relevant to our audience.

RPGs, D&D and Live Tabletop Gaming

For RPG fans, PAX Unplugged is essentially a playground.

The convention features dedicated RPG areas where attendees can join games ranging from organized sessions to indie RPGs and freeplay campaigns.

There are opportunities for both experienced players and people who have never played a tabletop RPG before.

And, naturally, Dungeons & Dragons will be one of the major attractions thanks to Wizards of the Coast's presence.

Discover Games Before Everyone Else

One of PAX Unplugged's most interesting features is First Look.

The area gives attendees an opportunity to discover imported games that aren't yet widely available in the United States.

For tabletop fans who enjoy finding the next big thing before everyone else, this can be one of the most interesting parts of the convention.

The show also features the PAX Rising Showcase, highlighting standout indie games selected by the PAX team.

Tabletop Freeplay

Not every PAX attendee arrives with a tournament schedule.

Sometimes you just want to sit down and play.

PAX Unplugged offers a massive tabletop freeplay area with hundreds of tables and a lending library containing thousands of games.

That means attendees can discover something completely new without necessarily having to purchase it first.

More Than Just Games

PAX Unplugged also includes a variety of community-focused activities.

The official feature lineup includes:

• Autographing

• Community meetups

• Cosplay

• Concerts

• Pin trading

• PAX Together

• PAX XP

• Puzzle rooms

• Social deduction games

• The Workshop

• Special guests

• Tabletop Awards

There is even a dedicated Crokinole Zone for fans of the classic tabletop game.

PAX Unplugged Is Still Revealing More

One of the biggest reasons to keep watching the official PAX channels is that the 2026 schedule isn't finished yet.

PAX has already announced the exhibitor lineup and several major gaming events, but organizers say additional panels, special events and gaming programming will continue to be revealed.

The official schedule page notes that the detailed schedule will include everything from:

• Theatre panels

• Performances

• Tournaments

• Gaming sessions

• Concerts

• Digital streaming panels

• Meet & greets

• And more

The full schedule is expected to become available closer to the show.

Planning to Attend?

PAX Unplugged badges provide access to the expo hall, panels, autographing, First Look, freeplay areas, PAX Together, Omegathon, tournaments, workshops, live RPGs, game demos and more without separate charges for those features.

Three-day and single-day badges are currently available through the official PAX website.

PAX Unplugged 2026

📅 December 4–6, 2026
📍 Pennsylvania Convention Center — Philadelphia, PA

For the latest schedule, badge information and announcements, visit the official PAX Unplugged website.

RadioAnime Is Going to PAX Unplugged

For RadioAnime, PAX Unplugged represents another opportunity to bring our audience closer to the gaming, anime and pop-culture industries we cover.

We'll be there to experience the convention, meet creators and companies, discover games, talk with industry professionals and bring you coverage from the show floor.

And as more announcements arrive between now and December, we'll continue updating our coverage.

PAX Unplugged 2026 is coming to Philadelphia.

And RadioAnime will be there.

Stay tuned for more coverage, interviews, photos and stories from the show.