E3 2023 Returns as the ESA Partners with ReedPop, PAX and Comic Con Organizers

The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has officially announced the return of E3 in 2023, marking a significant comeback for one of the most influential events in the video game industry.

This time, the ESA is partnering with renowned event organizer ReedPop, best known for producing major conventions such as PAX East and West, New York Comic Con, EGX, and Star Wars Celebration.

E3 2023 is scheduled to take place as an in-person event in Los Angeles during the second week of June, restoring the physical expo format after a series of cancellations and changes brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. E3, often regarded as the centerpiece of the global gaming calendar, last held a traditional physical event in 2019.

Subsequent plans were severely disrupted by the pandemic, resulting in a complete cancellation in both 2020 and 2022 and a digital-only adaptation in 2021.

The news of E3’s revival under ReedPop’s management has generated renewed optimism among industry professionals and fans alike. According to the official press release, ReedPop’s involvement aims to “welcome back publishers, developers, journalists, content creators, manufacturers, buyers, and licensors.” The event will not only prioritize a robust in-person experience but also incorporate digital showcases, blending physical attendance with online engagement.

The partnership signals an effort to modernize E3 while preserving the core features that have drawn thousands to the expo in past years. ESA President and CEO Stanley Pierre-Louis expressed confidence in ReedPop’s expertise: The ESA’s endorsement and support are integral in building an event that serves the gaming industry’s ever-evolving needs on a worldwide scale, utilizing ReedPop’s extensive experience with high-profile gatherings and digital platforms. Lance Fensterman, President of ReedPop, emphasized their commitment to revitalizing the historic expo: “With the ESA’s backing, we're set to deliver a world-class event that serves the global gaming industry in innovative and expanded ways, building on the foundation of our portfolio of industry-leading events.” Kyle Marsden-Kish, ReedPop’s Global Vice President of Gaming, added, “After years of gathering feedback from the community, E3 2023 will deliver an epic experience—a true return to form recognizing what has always worked, while reimagining aspects that need change, ultimately setting a new standard for gaming expos that will resonate for years to come.” One of the significant updates for next year includes a refined and secure media registration process, expected to launch in late 2022, ensuring coverage by trusted journalists and media outlets.

This is essential for an event that has historically set the stage for major game announcements on platforms such as the Nintendo Switch, with publishers like Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft using E3 as a global spotlight. In the years since the last physical E3, the gaming landscape has seen a proliferation of smaller, standalone events and digital streams, including Nintendo Direct presentations and the Summer Game Fest led by Geoff Keighley.

The centralized draw of E3, however, remains a touchstone for both industry figures and fans, offering a unified venue for the latest developments, game reveals, and networking. With the combined force of the ESA’s industry standing and ReedPop’s event expertise, E3 2023 is poised to reclaim its place at the heart of the gaming world.

Further details about the lineup and participating exhibitors are expected in the coming months, but anticipation is already building for a truly revitalized expo.

New York E3 ESA ReedPop PAX New York Comic Con Entertainment Software Association E3 2023 Comic Con