PAX West returns with an in-person event in September

The expo will return with a reduced capacity

It’s been almost two years since the last PAX West due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but with vaccines rolling out, in-person events are looking a lot more possible. It’s been confirmed today that PAX West will return for an in-person event Sept. 3 through 6.

PAX West will be held again in the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle. ReedPop said in a press release that detailed health and safety guidelines will be released in the leadup to the show, and that PAX West 2021 will run at a reduced capacity. [Disclosure: I was formerly employed by USgamer, which was owned by ReedPop.]

Badges for West will go on sale in the next two weeks. Meanwhile, the virtual event PAX Online 2021 is back in July, running from July 15 through 18. There will be PAX Arena competitions and a digital Omegathon, and optional badges are available now.

After a year-plus of online events and in-person cancellations due to COVID, it’s hard not to be interested in the prospect of going to expos again. But I’m also going to need to see what kind of regulations are in place and what preparations are being made before I make any travel plans.