Tokyo Game Show 2026 will be held at Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan, from September 17 to 21. This year’s event will run for five days, combining business days and public days, so visitors should check the dates available to the general public and the conditions for each venue in advance.
Applicable Dates
This visitor information is based on the event period of September 17–21, 2026. September 17–18 are business days, while the public days are September 19–21. Because closing times vary by public day, visitors attending on the final day should pay particular attention to the schedule.
Key Schedule
| Date | Category | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| September 17–18 | Business days | 10:00–17:00 |
| September 19–20 | Public days | 9:30–17:00 |
| September 21 | Public day | 9:30–16:00 |
According to the official information, opening on public days may be moved forward by 30 minutes depending on conditions at the venue. It is therefore advisable to check the official announcements for any changes immediately before entry. The event stages will include an opening ceremony, keynote address, Japan Game Awards ceremony, and company-sponsored stages. A timeline and talk stage commemorating the 30th anniversary, along with a social media campaign, are also planned.
The public days run for three days, but September 21 ends at 16:00. Even with the same one-day admission ticket, the amount of time available for visiting differs.
When to Prepare
Once you have chosen your visit date, first separate the venues in your plans. The exhibition, event stages, and cosplay area will be held at Makuhari Messe, while Family Game Park will take place at TKP Tokyo Bay Makuhari Hall. Confusing the two locations can change your visitor route.
Makuhari Messe is about a five-minute walk from Kaihin-Makuhari Station on the JR Keiyo Line, and the official information says it is about 30 minutes from Tokyo Station by rapid train. TKP Tokyo Bay Makuhari Hall, the venue for Family Game Park, is about a 10-minute walk from Kaihin-Makuhari Station. From Makuhari-Hongo Station, visitors must take a bus for about 20 minutes, followed by a roughly six-minute walk from the bus stop.
You can divide your preparations by interest as follows.
- Choose your visit date among the public days and check the closing time.
- Decide whether you will focus on Makuhari Messe or include Family Game Park in your itinerary.
- Purchase tickets in advance and review the latest information for each booth and stage.
- Set priorities among indie games, cosplay, family activities, and company booths.
Reservations and Applications
Tickets for public days are not sold on the day. They must be purchased in advance through the relevant ticket outlets. According to the official information, a standard one-day admission ticket costs 3,000 yen for junior high school students and older. Children of elementary school age and younger enter free, while a special discount ticket is listed at 1,500 yen.
Premium tickets cost 30,000 yen, and fast tickets cost 6,000 yen. Sales may end when the limited quantities of either ticket type are exhausted, so check availability if you want a particular option.
Cosplay participants must purchase an advance ticket or register on site separately from the general admission ticket. The registration fee is 2,000 yen for general participation and 3,000 yen for early morning participation. The cosplay area will be set up on the east and west sides of Hall 9 at Makuhari Messe. It will operate until 16:30 on September 19–20 and until 15:30 on September 21.
Content by Interest
Families should treat Family Game Park as a separate part of their itinerary. This area will operate from September 19–21 and is open only to children of junior high school age or younger accompanied by a guardian. Admission is free. It will feature ASOVIVA, an area for trying the latest games; MANAVIVA, where visitors can experience game-development careers and creative work; and Kids Stage.
For indie-game enthusiasts, SELECTED INDIE 80 is a highlight, exhibiting 80 titles selected from more than 1,500 submissions. On September 17, SENSE OF WONDER NIGHT 2026 will also be held at the International Conference Hall, where selected indie-game developers will present their projects.
At company booths, visitors can prioritize officially announced content. The Square Enix booth will feature FFVII-related demos and photo spots, FINAL FANTASY XIV character greetings, and some experiences exclusive to public days. SEGA／ATLUS has announced titles including STRANGER THAN HEAVEN and Persona 4 Revival, as well as plans for Fan Time SHOW and an official YouTube livestream.
Possibility of Changes
Before the event, ticket quantities, booth-specific experience passes, the official program, and stage timetable may change. In particular, the availability of premium and fast tickets is important, while booth experiences and times should be checked against the latest company announcements.
Family Game Park has separate venue and admission eligibility requirements, and cosplay participants are subject to registration fees and photography rules. Before visiting, it is safest to recheck the operating hours for each date, ticket availability, and any changes to booths and stages of interest on the official pages.