Houston Is Getting a New PAX Tabletop Gaming Convention in June 2027

Tabletop gamers in the South have plenty of reason to celebrate: PAX is expanding its analog empire to Texas. ReedPop and Penny Arcade have officially announced PAX Unplugged Houston, bringing the beloved board- and card-game-focused convention to the George R. Brown Convention Center from June 25–27, 2027, as first reported by GamesBeat.

This marks the first time the Unplugged brand has branched into a second city since its Philadelphia debut back in 2017, giving tabletop fans a major dedicated convention in the southern United States.

What PAX Unplugged Houston Will Offer

While detailed schedules and exhibitor rosters won’t drop for a while, the core identity of the show will feel right at home to anyone who loves rolling dice or shuffling cards. The Houston edition is built entirely around tabletop, board, and card gaming—promising a packed expo hall, community meetups, developer panels, and tournament play.

Because the official announcement only just landed on September 4, organizers haven’t locked in specific exhibitors or headlining releases yet. However, attendees can expect strong representation from major board game publishers, indie tabletop creators, and community groups from across the country.

When Will Houston Badges Go on Sale?

If you’re already planning your trip, you will need to sit tight for a bit. According to GamesBeat, badges are expected to go on sale later in 2026, with media and content-creator application windows opening before the end of the year.

Exact ticket tiers and pricing details have yet to be disclosed. Keep in mind that existing PAX Unplugged ticket portals currently serve the annual Philadelphia show; Houston will receive its own standalone registration portal and announcements once badge dates are officially locked in.

Why Organizers Chose Houston

Picking the right home for a major convention is never a random roll. Sean Gonzalez, ReedPop’s event manager for PAX, explained to GamesBeat that the team evaluated several major metropolitan areas before selecting Houston.

The decision ultimately came down to Houston’s strong event infrastructure, welcoming audience demographics, and valuable insights gathered from other ReedPop shows. Just as importantly, the board game industry itself made its voice heard. “Houston is where exhibitors wanted us to place the event,” Gonzalez noted.

How This Differs From PAX South

Longtime Texas convention-goers might wonder if this signals a return for PAX South, which ran in San Antonio until shutting down in 2020. However, organizers emphasize that PAX Unplugged Houston is a fundamentally different experience. Where PAX South was a hybrid showcase split between massive video game booths and tabletop halls, this new convention is dedicated purely to analog gaming, as detailed by BoardGameWire.

Organizers aren’t positioning Houston as a replacement for PAX South or the Philadelphia show—rather, it stands on its own as a brand-new pillar for tabletop enthusiasts.

For now, mark your calendars for late June 2027 and keep an eye out for Houston’s badge sale announcement later this year.

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