ReedPop and Penny Arcade Expand PAX Unplugged Franchise to Houston for 2027

ReedPop and Penny Arcade are expanding their live-event footprint with the launch of PAX Unplugged Houston, scheduled to run from June 25 to June 27, 2027, at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Texas, according to GamesBeat.

The gathering will serve as the fifth recurring international expo in the broader PAX portfolio and the second showcase focused exclusively on tabletop and analog gaming. The original PAX Unplugged takes place annually in Philadelphia to serve board, card, and role-playing game enthusiasts.

Organizers confirmed the Houston program will include an expansive exhibition floor featuring prominent tabletop publishers, industry panels, creator sessions, competitive tournaments, and community events. Further operational specifics will be distributed as the date approaches.

"Whenever we get done with PAX Unplugged out in Philly, I just want to rewind time and do it all again," Jerry Holkins, cofounder of PAX, Penny Arcade, and Child's Play Charity, said in a statement shared by GamesBeat. "This is the next best thing. And it'll be great to see our old friends from down that way."

## Expanding Analog Footprint

Ticket sales for the 2027 Houston event are slated to open before the end of this year. Applications for press credentials and digital creator access will also launch within the same timeframe.

The expansion points to steady commercial interest in analog and hobby gaming gatherings, an area that has maintained dedicated physical turnout even as traditional video game trade expos face economic pressures and consolidation. Anchoring a new edition in the South allows the organizers to tap an underserved geographic market without cannibalizing their Northeast attendance base.

Penny Arcade first established its convention brand in Seattle in 2004 before expanding to Boston in 2010. The organization has since developed multiple regional and international events connecting tabletop and video game developers directly with active consumer audiences.