“The 2025 Midwest Gaming Classic was BIG.”
That’s what we wrote after last year’s Midwest Gaming Classic, Milwaukee’s ever-growing retro gaming / pinball / tabletop / arcade / homebrew blowout. And we weren’t kidding: nearly 40,000 people packed the Baird Center during last year’s MGC. Nearly forty-thousand! That’s a far cry from the festival’s humble beginnings as a get-together for fans of the Atari Jaguar.
2001
Speaking of those beginnings, the Midwest Gaming Classic is celebrating its 25th anniversary (!) in 2026. That’s 25 years of games, more games, and even more games. And the big anniversary show is set to go down April 24-26 at the Baird Center. Last year’s MGC was big. We’re guessing this year’s MGC will be even bigger.
“We’ve always tried to create a place where everyone feels welcome, where you can share what you love and find your people. After 25 years, that idea still guides everything we do,” says co-founder Dan Loosen in a press release.
Expect a few new things this year, including trading card tournaments (a Magic: The Gathering tournament will boast a $4,000 card prize), competitive speed puzzling, an expanded showcase area for independent developers, and enhanced tabletop experiences. Oh, and the “Community Memory Project,” which will feature on-site and online memories from folks who have made the Midwest Gaming Classic what it is today.
Guest appearances and other details will be announced in the coming weeks. For now, mark your calendars, buy your tickets, and buckle up. MGC 2026 will likely be bigger than Dankey Kang.
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