There’s never been a better era to be a gamer. Over the last decade and a half, the industry has taken off. Platforms like Twitch and YouTube helped spread the trend worldwide thanks to personality-forward gamers who helped shed light on their favorite titles. Since then, sectors like mobile gaming, eSports, and virtual reality have all taken off on a global scale.
Today, video games are treated like a spectator sport. Hobbyist players now have the opportunity to watch eSports teams battle it out in high-profile tournaments, just like a basketball fan would follow a series like March Madness. In other words, gamers are able to get involved and engage with their favorite games, teams, and even players.
To meet these new demands and newfound interest from gaming fans, many organizations host international events. Some of these events let spectators and pros come together in the spirit of competition—and might even serve as qualifiers for later tournaments. However, the majority of events instead focus on the latest releases and developments in the industry, catering to hardcore fans.
Let’s count down some of the best events scheduled for later on in 2023. We’re listing out some of the most exciting international tournaments and hobbyist events around the globe.
EPT Barcelona (Barcelona)
August 21 – September 3
Poker tournaments like the European Poker Tour (EPT) and World Series of Poker (WSOP) are some of the very first gaming competitions ever hosted. WSOP, for example, first started in 1979 in Las Vegas. However, one of the top events in the world is now EPT’s Barcelona stopover. Last year’s tournament was the largest in the event’s 19-year history, highlighting just how popular online poker still is.
This year’s competition will feature four EPT events, including a Main Event and a Mystery Bounty challenge. Players will come from around the world—and many will have qualified via online tournaments. The 2023 EPT Barcelona is hosted at the Casino Barcelona, which means it’s located at one of the hottest spots in one of Europe’s most exciting and exotic cities.
Nintendo Live 2023 (Seattle)
September 1 – 4
In 2023, Nintendo will host its very first live event outside of Japan. Like most Nintendo-sponsored events, the convention is designed for people of all ages and will include dozens of interactive activities. The goal is to focus on events that build on and celebrate the success of the company’s most popular franchises, from Super Mario to Zelda to Animal Crossing.
Tokyo Game Show (Tokyo)
September 21 – 24
Let’s be clear about one thing: though the Tokyo Game Show has increasingly hosted large numbers of Westerners, most of the convention will be in Japanese. This makes it a perfect choice for those who have hardcore interests in Japanese gaming developers, as TSG is the first location where new releases and projects are teased.
Additionally, it’s also a convention where developers will highlight their latest hardware feats. For this reason, TSG is considered a huge event for industry experts along with fans. Keep in mind that the first two days are open exclusively for industry professionals. The general public is allowed in for the last two days.
DreamHack (Hyderabad)
November 3 – 5
Anyone who has explored the world of eSports has likely heard of DreamHack events. Though eSports largely focuses on leagues like The International and CSL, gamers who want to participate in the fun are more likely to attend a DreamHack event. This year, DreamHack traveled around the world to host a dozen events. Of their remaining 2023 conventions, we’d suggest checking out their Hyderabad event.
Similar to EPT Barcelona, where players can enter via qualifier tournaments, DreamHack events allow regular gamers to compete. They’ll also be able to explore the festival and enjoy indie projects, cosplay their favorite characters, and even meet their favorite streams through meet-and-greet events. 2023 marks the third event that DreamHack has hosted in Hyderabad, which has quickly become a favorite for fans of the festival.
