The Midwest Gaming Classic has become the largest celebration of retro and modern gaming in the country, and it's located right here in Milwaukee.
The gaming extravaganza takes place Friday, April 4 through Sunday, April 6, at the Baird Center, 400 W. Wisconsin Ave.
The Midwest Gaming Classic is the only event to offer 10,000+ playable games ranging from vintage to new releases alongside vendors, musical acts, wrestling, cosplay, competitions and more.
The Game Center features more than 250 pinball and arcade video games (no quarters required!), along with every generation of home consoles. Other areas will host gaming exhibits, tabletop games, live entertainment, live-action role-playing, video game art displays and more.
New additions this year include a massive expansion in tabletop games, a speedcubing tournament, brand-new pinball games and celebrity appearances from voice actor Christopher Sean, the creators of Activision, and others. Plus, the popular attractions of previous years such as the playable gaming museum, esports competitions and unmatched Official After Party will return.
"We have something for everyone: cosplay contests, live music, tattoo artists, and even Family Day to introduce the next generation to the endless possibility of games you can play,” says co-founder Dan Loosen.
Last year, the event welcomed 30,000 visitors from around the world including gamers from Japan, South Korea, Australia, the United Kingdom, Germany and Spain. The event is estimated to generate over $3 million in tourism dollars for the Milwaukee area, according to Visit Milwaukee.
"In 2001, we started as an in-person gathering for an online fan group. Today, we have become the gathering place for hundreds of online fan groups to share their passions in person,” says Loosen.
Tickets – and more information about – The Midwest Gaming Classic are available here.
Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.
Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.
