Convention - Paris Games Week 2026: An Anniversary Edition Designed as a Huge Playground

By Mulder, 16 june 2026

Fifteen years. In the video game industry, where trends evolve at breakneck speed and major events must constantly reinvent themselves to remain relevant, reaching this milestone is already an achievement. Yet for its 2026 edition, Paris Games Week isn’t content to simply celebrate its anniversary. The must-attend event for the French video game industry aims to transform itself into a true, life-size playground. From October 22 to 25, 2026, at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, the event will adopt the theme “Playground Edition”—an approach that places visitors at the center of the experience more than ever before. Behind this new identity lies a clear goal: to evolve PGW from a simple trade show into a participatory and immersive adventure capable of bringing together the entire gaming, pop culture, and esports communities.

To gauge the significance of this announcement, it’s important to recall the unique position Paris Games Week holds today in the European video game landscape. Created by the SELL (Syndicat des Éditeurs de Logiciels de Loisirs) following a decision made in 2008 and launched in 2010, the event has established itself over the years as the largest consumer-focused video game expo in France. Its rise has been spectacular. From its very first editions, the strategy of bringing together the world’s leading publishers and offering the French public exclusive access to the industry’s latest releases enabled PGW to become a major event. The 2019 edition welcomed more than 317,000 visitors, a figure that placed it among the world’s largest gaming events, ahead of E3 in Los Angeles and the Tokyo Game Show, while still trailing Germany’s Gamescom. This prominent position explains why every announcement related to PGW is now closely watched by industry professionals, hardware manufacturers, publishers, and content creators.

What immediately stands out about this anniversary edition is the clear commitment to making visitors active participants in their own experience. The organizers have devised a system directly integrated into the event’s official app. Instead of simply wandering from one booth to another, attendees will be able to complete challenges, follow a dynamic route through the halls, unlock digital collectible badges, and earn various rewards based on their progress. This approach echoes certain gamification mechanics typically found in video games themselves. The idea is simple yet particularly effective: to turn the expo into a game in its own right. In an era where audience engagement is becoming a central element of the event experience, this initiative could well be one of the most interesting developments in PGW’s recent history.

The visual identity of this edition perfectly reflects this ambition. The official poster, featured in the press kit, depicts a massive robot with a passion for video games set in the heart of an imaginary city composed of gaming worlds, colorful buildings, and numerous references to video game culture. This original mascot will serve as a symbolic guide throughout the event. Designed to be a unifying character, it was created through a collaboration between the creative studio aPART and illustrator Massy Puster. The result evokes both contemporary indie games and the retro aesthetic that continues to fuel gamers’ collective imagination. At a time when official mascots are becoming increasingly rare in the video game world, this choice appears to be a deliberate attempt to create a truly recognizable symbol for this fifteenth edition.

Another notable development is the return of Florian Ordonez—better known by his stage name Bigflo—in the role of artistic advisor. Following an initial collaboration in 2025, the Toulouse-based rapper continues his involvement with the expo. His profile aligns perfectly with PGW’s current strategy: a video game enthusiast, renowned collector, and popular figure among an extremely diverse audience, he embodies the growing convergence between gaming culture and popular culture. His role will involve helping to develop a program that blends video games, music, creativity, live performances, and entertainment. This direction confirms a trend observed for several years at major international events, where the boundaries between gaming, pop culture, streaming, and entertainment are becoming increasingly blurred.

Beyond the traditional content visitors expect—previews, playable demos, prestigious guests, content creators, and esports competitions—the real novelty of 2026 will likely be found in the “Hors les Murs” program. For the first time in its history, Paris Games Week will not be confined to the exhibition center. Several weeks before the show’s official opening, events and activations will be organized throughout Paris and the Île-de-France region in partnership with various cultural organizations. The goal is ambitious: to position video games as a cultural medium in their own right, on par with cinema, music, and the visual arts. This approach is part of a profound shift in how the video game medium is viewed. Long considered merely a pastime, video games are now recognized as a major cultural industry whose influence extends far beyond the confines of the screen.

Statements from the project’s key leaders confirm this ambition. Thomas Held, CEO of Rivaj Group, explains that he aims to transform the event into a more immersive experience while promoting gaming culture beyond the walls of the Porte de Versailles. For his part, Damien Timperio, CEO of GL events Exhibitions, highlights the growing convergence between gaming, pop culture, esports, and entertainment. Finally, Nicolas Vignolles, General Delegate of SELL, highlights the importance of the expo as a gathering place for the entire French video game ecosystem—whether companies, associations, schools, or gaming communities. He also emphasizes the positive values associated with video games: creativity, teamwork, solidarity, pushing one’s limits, and inclusivity. These remarks perfectly illustrate the vision the organizers hope to bring to this anniversary edition.

For visitors, the opening of ticket sales is already the first major event. Available starting June 18, 2026, the lineup includes an Early Bird offer valid through August 31, with prices starting at 15 euros depending on the package. Dated tickets, open tickets, two-day passes, and family packages will cater to a wide variety of visitor profiles. This early opening also reflects the organizers’ confidence in the potential of this anniversary edition, which could well become one of the most significant in the event’s recent history.

At a time when many international events are still seeking a balance between in-person experiences and digital engagement, Paris Games Week 2026 appears to have found a particularly interesting path forward. By transforming its visitors into active participants, extending its influence beyond its walls, and fully embracing its role as a major cultural event, PGW is celebrating its fifteenth anniversary with an ambition that goes far beyond the scope of a simple anniversary celebration. If the promises announced come to fruition this fall, this Playground Edition could well mark a major turning point in the event’s history and further cement Paris’s place among the world’s leading video game capitals.

(Source: press release)