The second half of July is bringing esports championships, retro gaming conventions, tabletop gatherings, and community game nights to cities across the U.S.
Alongside large arena and convention events, several American Legion posts are hosting smaller gatherings where Veterans, military families, and local players can connect through gaming.
July 15, 19, 22, 26, and 29: Game Nights at American Legion Post 496
American Legion Lakewood Post 496 will host game nights from 6 to 8 p.m. at 5938 Parkcrest Street in Long Beach, California. The Post calendar does not identify the featured games, so attendees may want to contact Post 496 before visiting.
July 16–19: Call of Duty League Championship in Las Vegas
FaZe Vegas will host four days of professional competition at Michelob ULTRA Arena, ending with the crowning of the 2026 Call of Duty League champion. Fans will be able to watch the league’s leading teams compete in the final matches of the season.
July 16–19: ConnectiCon in Hartford, Connecticut
ConnectiCon will feature video games, tabletop play, cosplay, anime, panels, workshops, celebrity guests, and live entertainment at the Connecticut Convention Center. The fan-run convention brings several gaming and pop-culture communities together under one roof.
July 17, 24, and 31: Friday Night Magic at American Legion Post 6
American Legion Post 6 in San Diego hosts a weekly Magic: The Gathering Commander League at 3563 Adams Ave. The recurring gathering gives Veterans and community members a local place to play cards and meet other tabletop fans.
July 17–19: GeekFest West in Lynnwood, Washington
GeekFest West will include retro games, arcade play, tournaments, tabletop gaming, cosplay, collectibles, panels, and live entertainment. Attendees can move between free-play activities, organized competitions, workshops, and vendor areas throughout the weekend.
July 17–19: Southeast Game Exchange in Greenville, South Carolina
The convention will have esports, retro games, independent developers, tabletop play, cosplay, panels, vendors, and opportunities to buy or trade games and consoles. Gaming personalities and voice actors will also appear during the event’s 10th anniversary.
July 18: Game Con in Archbold, Ohio
Northwest State Community College will host a free event with console games, virtual reality, tournaments, panels, vendors, LEGO activities, and cosplay. A Super Smash Bros. Ultimate tournament will add organized competition to the family-friendly program.
July 21–22: Games for Change Festival in New York City
The festival will explore how games and immersive media can support education, health, civic engagement, and social change through presentations, workshops, and networking. Developers, educators, researchers, and nonprofit leaders will discuss how interactive experiences can address real-world challenges.
July 22–26: Comic-Con International in San Diego
Comic-Con will include gaming panels, exhibits, merchandise, demonstrations, cosplay, and interactive entertainment alongside comics, animation, television, and film. Preview Night begins July 22 before the convention’s main programming runs July 23–26.
July 23–26: GalaxyCon Raleigh in North Carolina
GalaxyCon Raleigh will feature gaming tournaments, arcades, console stations, retro games, tabletop play, cosplay, celebrities, and voice actors. Players can participate in competitions or spend time in free-play areas at the Raleigh Convention Center.
July 24: Game Night at American Legion Post 517 in Pennsylvania
Post 517 in Mercersburg will host board, card, miniature, and tabletop games, including Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering, Disney Lorcana, and Warhammer. The event is intended for American Legion Family members and their guests.
July 24–25: GCX at Universal Orlando Resort
GCX will bring together games, creators, developers, artists, tournaments, and community activities at Universal Orlando Resort. Eligible passholders can close the weekend with an after-hours gathering inside Universal Studios Florida.
July 24–26: Classic Game Fest in Austin
Classic Game Fest will have more than 200 vendors, arcade and pinball machines, classic consoles, tournaments, independent games, cosplay, panels, and live music. More than 15,000 players and collectors are expected at the Palmer Events Center.
July 25: Game Night at American Legion Post 68 in Connecticut
Post 68 in Berlin will host an open community game night at 5:30 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring a snack, appetizer, or dessert to share, while drinks will be available for purchase.
July 30–Aug. 2: Gen Con in Indianapolis
Gen Con will include thousands of board-game, card-game, and role-playing events, along with exhibitors, tournaments, seminars, and live entertainment. Programming will spread across the Indiana Convention Center, Lucas Oil Stadium, and nearby downtown hotels.
July 31–Aug. 2: Southern Fried Gaming Expo in Atlanta
The expo will feature more than 400 arcade and pinball machines, consoles, tabletop games, tournaments, vendors, panels, wrestling, and live music. Its large free-play collection gives attendees access to games from several generations throughout the weekend.
July 31–Aug. 2: METROCON in Tampa
METROCON will bring together video games, anime, cosplay, comics, celebrity guests, exhibitors, and live entertainment at the Tampa Convention Center. The event combines gaming programming with a wider celebration of Japanese entertainment and fan culture.
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