Get ready, player one: PAX East 2026 dates are here

Popverse's top stories of the day

• X-Men was "the most disappointing creative experience" Jonathan Hickman has ever had, the Marvel writer reveals
• MEMBERS ONLY: Popverse Jump: Spy x Family is going to end with Loid realizing he loves being a dad or I'm going to riot
• WATCH NOW: How to be a D&D Dungeon Master, according to Wizards of the Coast's game director James Wyatt and principal game designer James Wyatt

Like trying to juggle multiple quests in an RPG at the same time, we come bearing news of PAX East 2026 dates just as this year's PAX East is happening. I will temporarily lay down my lobster roll to give you the news that PAX East 2026 will be returning March 26 through 29, 2026, once again at Boston's BCEC.

Wait, isn't that...?

Yes, PAX East 2026 will take place the same weekend as C2E2 in Chicago, as well as Kansas City's Planet Comic Con, and Anaheim's WonderCon. Whereas those are three-day shows, PAX East 2026 will be a four-day show. The Boston Herald reports that PAX East has over 100,000 attendees annually in recent years, which, adding up with the size of those other shows, means over 300,000 people will be at comic cons in the US in one weekend in 2026.

For gaming fans, PAX East 2026 will take place the same month that EA's next Battlefield game is released, and two months before Grand Theft Auto 6. While this is not an announcement that those games will be at PAX East 2026, it is exciting to speculate.

Of course, we'll be at PAX East 2026 to see whatever if it is, and report back to you.

Where is PAX East 2026?

For the past 15 years, PAX East has been held at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center (BCEC) right on the South Boston waterfront. It's just minutes from Logan International Airport (8 in my Uber earlier this weekend), and just one block south of a train station on the BBTA Silver Line.

How much does it cost to go to PAX East?

While the PAX East 2026 badges are not on sale yet, you can get an idea of what to expect by looking at the PAX East 2025 badge prices as of May 6, 2025. Those are:

• PAX East 2025 4-Day Badge: $257 plus $4 service fee
• PAX East 2025 Single-Day Badge: $68.50 plus $4 service fee
• PAX East 2025 BYOC (Bring Your Own Computer) Add-On: $45 plus $4 service fee

PAX East 2025 badges went on sale December 11, 2024. When will PAX East 2026 badges go on sale? Check its website for the most up-to-date information.

What is the dress code for PAX East?

PAX wants everyone to be themselves - whether that be in full cosplay costume, your casual wear, or dressed up like you're going to prom. The organizers' goal is to create an environment where everyone can feel comfortable and welcome; the key things to watch out for is partial nudity, objectionable content, or anything that falls in the area of inappropriateness.

PAX has a strict 'No booth babe' policy you can read about here, and in general, PAX management reserves the right to restrict or remove anyone with objectionable clothing (or lack of too much clothing).

One piece of attire is required though: a PAX East badge must be worn at all times.

What is PAX East about?

PAX East (and its sister show PAX West in Seattle) are the largest gaming conventions in North America, bringing together AAA games industry releases with a carefully cultivated indie game community. Whereas some other shows specialize in one type of gaming, PAX East hits multiple fanbases from PC gamers, console jockeys, mobile gaming enthusiasts, and us tabletop gamers.

Here's alllllllllllllllll the upcoming comic cons on the horizon.