In 2001, two guys started a small show at a Boy Scout Service Center “to celebrate the Atari Jaguar,” which drew about 100 gaming enthusiasts. Since that unheralded outset, the event—which was later named Midwest Gaming Classic—has ballooned in popularity, taking over virtually every inch of the Brookfield Sheraton every spring before eventually moving to the more than 150,000 square foot confines of the Wisconsin Center in 2018.
After two years at the new venue, the 2020 Midwest Gaming Classic was scheduled to return to the Wisconsin Center last April 3-5, and bring an estimated 10,000 gamers, pinball nuts, tabletop competitors, cosplayers, vendors, entertainers, and extra special guests to the sprawling downtown convention venue in the process. Of course, we all know what happened next. Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the annual event was canceled. Roughly a year since the pandemic meant “Game Over” for the 2020 Midwest Gaming Classic, we now have some good news regarding the fate of this year’s event.
Over the weekend, Midwest Gaming Classic organizers posted a Facebook status with the uplifting and hopeful news that they’re intending to host the 2021 installment at Wisconsin Center this fall.
“We’re back!” the announcement says. “Today may mark exactly one year since the 2020 MGC was canceled, but thanks to you, the MGC will return Nov 5-7, 2021 to the Wisconsin Center in Milwaukee!”
Tickets to the 2021 Midwest Gaming Classic are now available. People interested in becoming a vendor can apply for spaces now as well. According to organizers, those who held onto their 2020 tickets will have their passes honored for this fall’s Gaming Classic.