Get 5% of discount using the code
MYESIMNOW5
close-icon-modal
Buy eSIM
Trustpilot

Paris Games Week 2026: Dates, tickets, and what to expect

Plan your Paris Games Week 2026 visit with key dates, ticket prices, venue info, transport, travel tips, and what to expect at the expo.

Published: October 19, 2026

Paris Games Week is France’s biggest video game expo, and the 2026 edition runs from October 22 to 25, 2026, at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles.

It is a major event for gamers, esports fans, cosplayers, pop-culture lovers, and families planning a trip to Paris. This guide covers the confirmed Paris Games Week dates, ticket options, what to expect at the show, and how to plan a short Paris trip around the event.

What is Paris Games Week?

Paris Games Week is an annual video game, esports, and pop-culture event held in Paris. It brings together major gaming brands, esports competitions, indie studios, cosplay, entertainment, and family-friendly experiences under one roof.

Often shortened to PGW, Paris Games Week is one of Europe’s largest gaming events and a key stop on the calendar for players who want to try new releases, watch live competitions, and explore gaming culture in person.

The 2026 edition marks the event’s 15th anniversary and is billed as the “Playground Edition.” The official concept focuses on making the event more interactive, with redesigned spaces, new experiences, and more ways for visitors to participate rather than simply walk around the show floor.

paris game week
People gathering at Paris Games Week.

When is Paris Games Week 2026?

Paris Games Week 2026 takes place from Thursday, October 22, to Sunday, October 25, 2026. The event is currently scheduled to open from 9:30 AM to 7:00 PM each day.

These dates fall during France’s All Saints’ Day school holiday period, which can make the event especially busy. Expect higher demand for family tickets, hotels, short-term rentals, and trains into Paris, particularly for the weekend dates.

If you are traveling from overseas, it is worth booking flights and accommodation early. October is not peak summer season in Paris, but a major event at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles can still push up prices in the nearby 15th arrondissement and around well-connected metro lines.

If you plan to use your usual mobile plan,  check the cost of roaming in France before you leave, especially if you expect to rely on mobile data throughout the event and wider Paris trip.

Where is Paris Games Week held, and how to get there

Paris Games Week is held at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, 75015 Paris, in the 15th arrondissement. The venue is easy to reach by public transport, so taking the metro, tram, or bus is usually simpler than driving.

Transport optionBest stopUseful to know
Metro line 12Porte de VersaillesClosest metro stop to the venue
Metro line 8BalardGood alternative if you are staying southwest of central Paris
Tram T2Porte de VersaillesUseful for connections from western Paris and nearby suburbs
Tram T3aBalardHandy if you are traveling around the southern edge of Paris
Bus 80Porte de VersaillesA practical bus option depending on your hotel location

From central Paris, the journey usually takes around 20 to 35 minutes, depending on where you are staying. If this is your first time using the city’s transport system, use the Paris public transport guide to help you compare metro, tram, bus, and airport transfer options before you arrive.

Paris Games Week tickets and prices

Paris Games Week tickets are sold through the official Paris Games Week website. At the time of writing, standard 1-day dated tickets and 2-day Open Passes are available, along with family, group, accessibility, and business options.

The table below summarizes the main public ticket options currently listed for Paris Games Week 2026.

Ticket typeCategoryCurrent priceGood for
1-day dated ticketAdult€29.00Visitors aged 26+ attending on one selected day
Young visitor€20Visitors aged 8–25 attending on one selected day
Family€80Two adults and two young visitors aged 8–25
ChildFreeChildren under 8
Reduced mobility/disability€20Eligible visitors, one accompanying person is admitted free
Group€18 per personGroups of 10 or more
2-day PassAdult€50Visitors aged 26+ attending two selected days
Young visitor€34Visitors aged 8–25 attending two selected days
ChildFreeChildren under 8
Reduced mobility/disability€34Eligible visitors, one accompanying person is admitted free

Business visitors can also look at the PGW Business by CMS ticket, which is aimed at industry professionals. It gives access to the professional program on October 22 and 23.

For most international visitors, the main choice is between a 1-day ticket and a 2-day pass. Choose one day if Paris Games Week is part of a wider Paris vacation. Choose two days if the expo is the main reason for your trip, especially if you want time for esports, cosplay, shopping, and popular gaming demos.

What to expect at Paris Games Week

Paris Games Week is more than a standard trade show. The floor usually combines playable games, esports stages, pop-culture areas, creator moments, family activities, and spaces dedicated to gaming careers and French studios.

The full Paris Games Week 2026 program is now published, so check it for specific demos, stage times, and signings before you go. 

Hands-on gaming experiences

Paris Games Week is known for giving visitors the chance to try games, hardware, and interactive experiences in person. Popular demos can attract long lines, so arrive early if there is a specific area you do not want to miss.

Esports and live competitions

Esports is a major part of the event atmosphere, with live matches, finals, community tournaments, and stage programs. Even if you are not following every team, the live crowd energy is one of the reasons Paris Games Week feels different from playing or watching at home.

Cosplay and fan culture

Cosplay is a big part of the PGW experience. Expect costumes from video games, anime, manga, comics, and broader pop culture. If you plan to cosplay, check the official rules for costume and props policies, bag size, and entry points.

Retrogaming and nostalgia zones

Retrogaming areas are ideal if you are traveling with different generations of players. These zones often give visitors a break from the busiest demo lines and highlight classic consoles, arcade-style play, and gaming history.

Manga, pop culture, and entertainment

Paris Games Week also reaches beyond video games. Manga, live performances, creator appearances, and pop-culture programming help make the event appealing for mixed groups where not everyone is there for the same game or genre.

Family-friendly areas

Paris Games Week is also designed for families, not just dedicated gamers. Expect activities for younger visitors, shared gaming experiences, and quieter areas where parents and children can explore the event at a more relaxed pace. If you are visiting with kids, check age ratings, crowd levels, and bag rules before you go.

Made in France and indie games

The “Made in France” focus is one of the most interesting parts of the show for visitors who want to discover French studios and independent games. It is a useful area to explore if you want something beyond the biggest global franchises.

Planning your trip to Paris for Paris Games Week

If you are traveling internationally for Paris Games Week, keep the plan simple: decide how many event days you want, choose a well-connected area to stay in, and leave time for Paris outside the expo.

  • How many days to spend: Plan at least three days in Paris if Paris Games Week is the main reason for your trip: one arrival day, one full event day, and one sightseeing or second event day. If you are flying from North America or further, four to five days will feel more comfortable. 
  • Where to stay: Stay near Porte de Versailles or in the 15th arrondissement if you want the easiest event commute. For a better balance of sightseeing and transport, consider areas with access to metro line 12, such as Montparnasse, Saint-Germain-des-Prés, or parts of the 6th and 7th arrondissements. First-time visitors may also want to check which areas to avoid in Paris before booking accommodation.
  • What else to do in Paris: If this is your first visit, leave time for major sights such as the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Montmartre, and many other things to do in Paris. You can also set aside time to shop for Paris souvenirs outside the convention, especially if you want something beyond gaming merch. To avoid wasting time crossing the city, plan activities by neighborhood.
  • How to stay connected: Mobile data is useful for metro routes, event tickets, maps, translation, and staying in touch with your group. A Paris eSIM can be a practical option if you want data as soon as you land without buying a local SIM card.
  • What to check before you go: Confirm your ticket type, event date, entry rules, bag size limits, and transport route. Pack light, bring a portable charger, and leave extra time for security checks and queues at popular zones.

Stay connected at Paris Games Week with Holafly

From your e-ticket at the gate to finding your group on a packed show floor, a Paris Games Week trip runs on mobile data. Install a Holafly eSIM for France before you leave and connect as soon as you land, with unlimited data, speeds up to 5G, and 24/7 customer support.

When your trip ends, keep the eSIM on your phone. Holafly eSIMs are reusable, so next time you only need to add a new plan. Until then, Always On, 1 GB of monthly backup data at no extra cost, keeps you connected if your travel plans change.

Travel often or stay for months at a time? Holafly Plans gives you monthly global data, and Holafly Ultra bundles extra travel perks on top of unlimited data in one plan.

Plans that may interest you

SEO Content Writer

哈囉我是來自台灣的 Wen,平常最喜歡旅遊,也喜歡將旅遊的種種化成文字跟大家分享,希望大家能在我的文章中找到有用的資訊,加上 Holafly 的 eSIM,讓你的旅程更美好!✈️✈️✈️ Hi! I'm Wen, a passionate content writer and travel enthusiast from Taiwan. I transform my wanderlust adventures into engaging stories and practical guides, helping fellow travelers make the most of their journeys.Through my articles, I strive to provide travel tips while introducing how our eSIM technology can enhance your travel experience - keeping you connected wherever your adventures take you!

Read full bio