Thousands of gaming enthusiasts will converge on the Pasadena Convention Center this June for the SoCal Gaming Expo, a three-day celebration featuring voice actors from blockbuster franchises, live skateboarding demonstrations, esports tournaments and more than 200 vendors.
The event, scheduled for June 6-8, 2025, has expanded to include Friday this year, marking a significant growth for what organizers describe as “the premiere gaming event in Southern California” since its inception in 2015.
“SoCal celebrates gaming in every form, welcoming people of all ages, backgrounds, and cultures,” said expo organizers. “We strive to create an inclusive space where gaming enthusiasts can come together to share their passion.”
The expo will host the Classic Tetris World Championship, with qualifying rounds on Friday and Saturday and finals on Sunday. Professional skateboarders, including Aaron “JAWS” Homoki and Shawn Hale, will perform on a specially designed Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles halfpipe.
Voice acting talent from major gaming franchises will headline the special guest roster. Ned Luke and Shawn “Solo” Fonteno, who portrayed Michael DeSanta and Franklin in “Grand Theft Auto V,” will appear alongside Young Maylay, the voice of CJ from “Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.”
Call of Duty fans can meet James C. Burns, who voiced Sgt. Frank Woods, and Chantelle Barry, known for her role as Maya Aguinaldo in “Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Zombies.” Dave Anthony, writer and director of “Call of Duty: Black Ops,” will make a rare two-hour appearance on Saturday.
Other notable voice actors include Scott Whyte (Crash Bandicoot), Paul Eiding (Metal Gear Solid), Tasia Valenza (Batman: Arkham), Vanessa Marshall (Star Wars), and Courtenay Taylor (Mass Effect).
Industry veterans David Crane (Pitfall!), Grant Kirkhope (Banjo-Kazooie composer), and Warren Davis (Q*bert developer) will represent gaming’s history, while more than 25 content creators such as Jacki Jing, Pat the NES Punk, and the Happy Console Gamer team will meet fans.
“One of the main reasons attendees love SoCal Gaming Expo is for the vendor marketplace,” organizers noted. The marketplace will feature vendors selling video games, tabletop games, toys, collectibles, artwork and handmade crafts.
The expo will operate from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday (with Tetris qualifying from 10 a.m.), 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday (exhibitor floor closing at 7 p.m.), and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. VIP ticket holders gain early entry one hour before opening each day.
Additional attractions include cosplay competitions judged by professional cosplayers Suncake and Mooncake, a free-play arcade, console gaming areas, pinball machines, tabletop gaming, and live music performances by Donovan Raitt, OrchKeystra, and Finding Emo.
Super Smash Bros Ultimate tournaments will run throughout the weekend, with separate brackets for all ages and players 14 and under.
The event has grown to attract more than 10,000 attendees annually. Children five and under receive free admission with a paid ticket purchase, and all tickets are non-refundable.
Paid parking is available at the convention center garage and throughout downtown Pasadena. Discounted hotel rates of $189 per night are available at the nearby Westin Hotel Pasadena through the expo’s website.
Attendees can find complete information, including ticket sales, at socalretrogamingexpo.com. Questions can be directed to info@socalretrogamingexpo.com.
For Gaming Families
For families with younger gamers, the expo offers dedicated activities throughout the weekend. The Super Smash Bros Ultimate tournament includes special brackets for players 14 and under on Saturday at 12 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., and the vendor floor features collectibles spanning multiple generations of gaming history.
Volunteer opportunities are also available for those 18 and older looking to be part of the event. Volunteers receive free admission and an event t-shirt in exchange for working at least one shift per day.
SoCal Gaming Expo 2025
Day, Date, and Time:
Friday-Sunday, June 6-8, 2025 | Friday 1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m., Sunday 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
(Exhibitor Floor: Friday until 8:00 p.m., Saturday until 7:00 p.m., Sunday until 5:00 p.m.)
(Tetris Qualifying: Friday and Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m., Finals on Sunday)
Address:
Pasadena Convention Center, 300 E Green St, Pasadena, CA.
Contact Information:
For more, email info@socalretrogamingexpo.com or visit socalretrogamingexpo.com
Ticket Information:
Tickets: Available at socalretrogamingexpo.com
(Children ages five and under FREE with a paid ticket purchase)
(All tickets are non-refundable)
