As esports continues to grow in popularity, its potential as a tool for education becomes increasingly evident. From enhancing soft skills like teamwork and communication to offering career exploration opportunities in fields like game design and audiovisual production, esports has a lot to offer students and schools. Data also shows that esports players are nearly twice as likely to pursue a STEM major in college, with many
Therefore, it’s no surprise that K12 schools and districts nationwide are launching academic esports programs to engage their students and capitalize on the opportunity for learning. Many math teachers or librarians have found themselves tasked with coaching the school’s Rocket League team or launching an after-school gaming enrichment program. Maybe they were even the ones who pitched the idea of “starting an esports team” in the first place, only to find themselves solely in charge of the program’s success. If this sounds familiar, fear not! Whether you’re a first-time esports coach or have been teaching gaming for years, attending an esports conference can be a great way to get immersed in the industry, network, and find resources.
This is why we compiled a list of the top ten esports events and video game conventions for educators to consider attending. For educators, esports coaches, and K12 administrators, attending esports events and video game conventions is professional development that can provide invaluable insights into this rapidly evolving field. Like a traditional education conference, these events offer the opportunity to network with industry professionals, learn about the latest trends and technologies, and discover best practices for integrating esports and teaching gaming. Below, we've highlighted the top 10 esports and game conferences that educators should consider attending in North America.
10 Esports & Game Conferences for Educators in North America
1. Esports Summit
Details: Focus on the esports industry and education.
Highlight: “#esports meets #esportsedu”
Description: If you can only attend one Esports event on this list, make it the Esports Summit by Skillshot! Taking place in the week leading up to Dreamhack Atlanta (a noteworthy gaming convention in its own right), the Esports Summit provides educators with a comprehensive view of the entire esports ecosystem. With a heavy emphasis on sessions, you’ll hear from esports educators, game developers, business execs, and games industry professionals from influential companies in the space, such as G2 Esports, Ghost Gaming, Skillshot Media, and Rally Cry. K12 and collegiate schools are also well represented, with speakers attending from Syracuse, St Mary's, Boise State, and Orange Unified School District, just to name a few.
Who attends and supports: Skillshot, NASEF, Lenovo, CDW, Twitch, XP League, and more.
Past Speakers: Chris Aviles (Garden State Esports), Jen Dawson (CDW-G), Malcolm Coley (Futures First Gaming), Dr. Joey Gawrysiak (Syracuse University), Dr. Chris “Doc” Haskell (Esports Boise State), Bethany Pyles (NASEF), Krystal Mccalla (Morris Brown College), and more.
Dates: October 2, 2025
Where: Atlanta, Georgia
2. EsportsNext 2025
Details: Focus on the future of esports and emerging trends.
Highlight: “Racing Towards Esports Excellence”
Description: EsportsNext 2025 is a premier esports event for educators looking to stay ahead of the curve in the rapidly evolving world of esports and esports education. Hosted by the Esports Trade Association, this conference features forward-thinking sessions on new technologies, market trends, and innovative teaching methods for integrating Esports into educational curricula. It's an invaluable opportunity for networking with games industry leaders and discovering cutting-edge practices that will shape the future of esports education.
Past Sponsors: ESPN, Activision Blizzard, Team Liquid, Riot Games, Epic Games, Evil Geniuses, Intel, LG, and more.
Past Speakers: Ben Schlegel (Nerd Street Gamers), Ben Smith (ESPN), Al Rondon (Coca-Cola), Leila Rahimi (NBC Chicago), Asante Bradford (Georgia Center of Innovation), Justin Stefanovic (Misfits Gaming Group), James O’Hagan (The Academy of Esports), Vanessa Kenon (University of Texas at San Antonio), Heath Price (University of Kentucky), Demetrios Roubos (Stockton University), and more.
Dates: Summer, 2025
Where: Chicago, Illinois
3. Games4Change
Details: Focus on the social impact of games.
Highlight: “A New Era of Gaming and Social Impact”
Description: The Games4Change Festival is where educators, game designers, and activists converge to explore how games can drive social change. This event highlights the educational potential of games to address societal issues such as climate change, mental health, and social justice. Attendees will find a rich selection of workshops, panels, and networking opportunities designed to inspire and empower those who believe in the transformative power of games.
Past Sponsors: Verizon, Xsolla, Unity, Hasbro, ESA, Discord, NYC Cultural Affairs, Netflix Games, and more.
Past Speakers: Kye Young (UN World Food Programme), Leanne Loombe (Netflix), Anthony Q. Casasnovas (NYC Public Schools), Andrew Navaro (Earthborne Games), Chandana Ekanayake (Outerloop Games), Lindsay Grace (University of Miami), Lien Tran (DePaul University), Maggie Mills (Arizona State University), and more.
Dates: Summer, 2025
Where: New York City, New York
4. Serious Play Conference
Details: Focus on in games and gamification in education
Highlight: “Explore how the power of play, games and gamification are transforming education, training, and knowledge mobilization.”
Description: Serious Play Conference 2024 is North America’s largest dedicated games and learning conference. Under a new leadership team, the event is a must-attend for anyone interested in the transformative power of games and play. With over 80 sessions and 120+ speakers, the conference covers everything from game development to education, and from healthcare to heritage. Whether you’re looking to level-up your professional skills, connect with experts, or just have fun, there’s something for everyone. Experience hands-on workshops, panels, talks, networking opportunities, and the chance to play innovative games including XR, VR, and AR.
Who attends and supports:. Dell Technologies, Epic Games, Learning Games Network, XP Game Summit, Ontario Library Association, Game Developers Network, and more.
Past Speakers: Susan Rivers (iThrive Games), Samuel Liberty (Northeastern University), Ashleigh Peters (Stitch Media), Dr. Kris Alexander (Toronto Metropolitan University), Adam Pacheco (One Must Imagine Games), Adam Clare (Wero Creative), Abigail Crocker (Yale School of Medicine), and more.
Dates: Summer, 2025
Where: Ontario, Canada
5. GamerFest during Super Bowl Week
Details: Focus on the K-12 and collegiate esports scene.
Highlight: Watch K-12 and collegiate competitions and network with NFL players and celebrities.
Description: A yearly event taking place during Super Bowl Week, GamerFest gives attendees a chance to experience the thrill of esports competitions and immerse into the collegiate esports community first-hand. Watch or join open-play tournaments for Street Fighter, Super Smash Brothers, and Guilty Gear, witness live matches from the Madden 24 league, and discover career opportunities for high school esports athletes. Watch top collegiate players representing top HBCUs nationwide battle for the championship title, and show matches between NFL celebrities from teams such as the Greenbay Packers and the Raiders.
Past Sponsors: RallyCry, US Academic Esports League, NFL Alumni, Las Vegas Inferno, Mastery Coding, The Morlon Greenwood Foundation, The Yard HBCU Esports Alliance, University of Nebraska Lincoln, Southern Utah University, GameDay U, and more.
Special Guests: Ahman Green (Greenbay Packers), Rhamondre Stevenson (New England Patriots), Brandon Parker (San Francisco 49ers), Tasty Steve (Professional commentator), LemonKiwi (Porfessional commentator), Adam Rosen (Rally Cry), Alan Sitomer (Teacher of the Year Foundation), Dr. Katrina Adkins (TAEL), Rich Conti (Careers in Esports)
Dates: Super Bowl Week, 2025
Where: New Orleans, Louisiana
6. Game Developers Conference (GDC)
Details: Premier event for game developers.
Highlight: “Crafting your future in games”
Description: The Game Developers Conference (GDC) is the largest and most prestigious event for game development professionals. It is a great education conference for professional development that will provide computer science and game design teachers with unparalleled insights into the latest tools, techniques, and trends in game design and development. From programming to visual arts and business management, GDC offers a comprehensive range of sessions that cater to every aspect of game creation. It is a truly great education conference for CS educators, tech coordinators, and K12 integration specialists.
This Year’s Sponsors: Unity Technologies, Unreal Engine, Google, Tencent Games, Epic Games, Meta, NVIDIA, Microsoft, Nintendo of America, Inc., and more.
Scheduled Speakers: Weszt Hart (Riot Games), Hideo Kojima (Kojima Productions), Natasha Miller (Blizzard Entertainment), Andy Wong (Capcom), Mathieu Girard (CD PROJEKT RED), Antoine Houdard (Ubisoft), Andrew Bowell (Unity Technologies), Shuli Gilutz (UNICEF), Jérémie Noguer (Adobe), and more.
Dates: March 17-21, 2025
Where: San Francisco, California
Do you have students that are crazy about gaming? Interested in learning about jobs in esports? Check out the Careers in Esports podcast, where Rich and Peter interview industry veterans and provide expert insights and actionable steps to pursuing a career in gaming and esports.
7. Summer Game Fest
Details: Focus on game announcements and industry trends.
Highlight: “...a forward-looking celebration of upcoming video games, available as a free digital and livestream experience…”
Description: Summer Game Fest is a digital-first event that showcases new game announcements, developer interviews, and industry trends. It’s an excellent resource for educators who want to stay updated on the latest developments in gaming. With a mix of live streams and on-demand content, Summer Game Fest provides a flexible and accessible way to engage with the future of gaming.
Past Sponsors: 2K, SEGA, PlayStation, Meta Quest, EPIC Games, Electronic Arts, Ataro, Riot Games, Razer, Capcom, Deep Silver, Bandai Namco, Warner Bros Games, Ubisoft, Steam, and more.
Past Speakers: Geoff Keighley (Summer Game Fest), Dwayne ‘The Rock” Johnson, Nicholas Cage, Sid Meier (Firaxis Games), Tim Schafer, (Double Fine Games), Andy Ho (Valorant), Forest Willard (Innersloth), Greg Rice (PlayStation Creators), Eileen Hollinger (Capybara Games), Amanda White (IAM8BIT), Yongche Wang (Pollard Studio), and more.
Dates: Summer, 2025
Where: Virtual and On-demand
8. DreamHack
Details: Focus on gaming festivals and esports tournaments.
Highlight: “Where the gaming community comes to life”
Description: DreamHack is one of the largest digital festivals in the world, featuring a blend of esports competitions, LAN parties, cosplay, and game demos. Educators attending DreamHack will find a wealth of opportunities to see how gaming can bring people together, foster community, and enhance learning experiences. With events held in multiple cities, DreamHack is accessible and offers something for everyone interested in gaming culture. If you attend Dreamhack Atlanta, make sure to check out the Esports Summit that takes place the week before.
Past Sponsors: DreamHack, Intel, Alienware, HyperX, Corsair, Monster Energy, DHL, and more.
Past Speakers: BBJESS (streamer), Jake Lucky (influencer), Anjali Bhimani (voice actor), HUN2R (streamer), Brennan Lee Mulligan (comedian and actor), Anna Margaret (singer & actor), Travis Gafford (interviewer & host), Zac Oyama (actor), and more.
Dates: Various dates and locations throughout the year
Where: Various cities, including Atlanta, Dallas, and Anaheim
9. PAX (Professional and Amateur eXcellence)
Details: Focus on gaming culture and community.
Highlight: “PAX is a celebration of gaming and gaming culture that takes place annually…”
Description: PAX is a series of gaming festivals held across North America that celebrate gaming culture in all its forms. From tabletop to digital games, PAX offers educators a diverse range of experiences to draw inspiration from. The event includes panels on game design, storytelling, and the role of games in education, making it a perfect destination for those looking to expand their knowledge and connect with like-minded individuals.
Past Sponsors: Penny Arcade, Wizards of the Coast, Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo, and more.
Past Speakers: Jerry Holkins and Mike Krahulik (Penny Arcade), Phil Spencer (Microsoft), Chris Perkins (Dungeons and Dragons), Annie Sardelis (Wizards of the Coast), Brian Nazarian (2K Mobile), Bill Marsland (Code Ninjas), Baron Jones (LV1 Gaming), Asa GreenRiver (Borderline Entertainment), Samantha Béart (actor), Ify Nwadiwe (comedian),
Dates and Locations:
PAX East: March 21-24, 2024 (Boston, Massachusetts)
PAX West: August 30 - September 2, 2024 (Seattle, Washington)
PAX Aus: October 11 - 13, 2024 (Melbourne, Australia)
PAX Unplugged: December 6-8, 2024 (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
10. TwitchCon
Details: Focus on live streaming and community building.
Highlight: #streaming #community
Description: TwitchCon is the ultimate gathering for Twitch streamers and their communities. This event offers educators a unique perspective on the power of live streaming and its potential for student engagement. With a variety of panels, workshops, and meet-and-greet opportunities, TwitchCon is perfect for those looking to understand the nuances of creating engaging content and building supportive online communities.
Past Sponsors: Twitch, Amazon, Intel, Corsair, Razer, HyperX, Logitech + Streamlabs, Meta Quest, and more.
Past Speakers: Popular Twitch streamers such as Pokimane, Ninja, Shroud, HasanAbi, MegKaylee, QTCindrella, StellaChuu, Clix, and more.
Dates: October 20-22, 2024
Where: San Diego, California
Honorable Mentions
These events did not make our top ten list and may be organized outside of North America, but are definitely worth checking out.
Comic-Con International
Details: Focus on popular arts and entertainment.
Highlight: #popculture #geeked
Description: Comic-Con International is a massive celebration of popular arts, including comics, movies, TV shows, and games. For educators, it’s a treasure trove of inspiration for incorporating pop culture into learning. With panels on storytelling, character development, and the cultural impact of games and media, Comic-Con provides countless opportunities to connect with creative professionals and explore new educational angles.
Past Sponsors: Comic-Con International, Marvel, DC, Disney, Warner Bros., and more.
Past Speakers: Stan Lee (Marvel Comics), Kevin Feige (Marvel Studios), Joss Whedon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), and various game developers and writers.
Dates: Summer, 2025
Where: San Diego, California
ISTE Immersive Esports Experience
Details: Focus on the integration of esports in education.
Highlight: #ISTEesports #immersivelearning
Description: The ISTE Immersive Esports Experience is a specialized event within the broader ISTE conference dedicated to the educational potential of esports. This experience is designed to help educators understand how to incorporate esports into their teaching strategies effectively. Attendees will participate in hands-on workshops, see live esports demonstrations, and learn from experts in the field about the benefits of esports for student engagement and learning outcomes.
Who attends and supports: ISTE, Microsoft, Dell Technologies, Intel, Google for Education, and more.
Past Speakers: Dr. Chris Haskell (Boise State University), Michael Doshi (NASEF), James O’Hagan (The Academy of Esports), and Kristy Custer (Complete High School Maize).
Tokyo Game Show
Details: Focus on the latest trends in gaming, including international releases and cutting-edge technology.
Highlight: “Trailblaze the World with Gaming”
Description: Tokyo Game Show (TGS) is one of the largest video game expos in the world, showcasing the latest games and gaming technology from Japan and beyond. For educators, TGS offers a unique perspective on international gaming trends and innovations. The event features a range of sessions, including game development insights, the impact of gaming on education, and the latest in AR and VR technologies. It's an unparalleled opportunity to explore how global gaming advancements can be integrated into educational environments.
Who attends and supports: Sony, Nintendo, Bandai Namco, Capcom, Square Enix, and more.
Past Speakers: Hideo Kojima (Kojima Productions), Yoshinori Ono (Capcom), Naoki Yoshida (Square Enix), and Shuhei Yoshida (Sony Interactive Entertainment).
Conclusion
Attending these conferences is essential for educators and school administrators looking to stay updated on the latest trends in esports and gaming. These events provide an excellent opportunity to network with industry professionals, learn from the best, and discover new ways to integrate esports into your educational curriculum.
Ready to take the next step? Schedule a demo with USAEL to see how esports can transform education in your school.
Disclaimer: The images and photos shown are for illustration purposes only and may not be an exact representation of the products, events, or organizations listed.
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