The WePlay Expo JAPAN Executive Committee, formed by IID, Inc. and San-ei Co., Ltd., has announced that “WePlay Expo JAPAN 2027,” a festival celebrating games and gaming culture, will be held at Makuhari Messe from April 2 to 4, 2027.
This event will be held as the Japanese edition of “WePlay Expo,” a gaming culture event that began in Shanghai, China, in 2017.CiGA (China Indie Game Alliance), one of the organizers of WePlay Expo, will participate as the licensor and producer, leveraging its expertise in creating events that prioritize hands-on gameplay and community interaction to develop a gaming event uniquely tailored to Japan.
Of the two organizing companies, Eido is, of course, the operator of our magazine, Game*Spark; San-ei, meanwhile, is known for the automotive magazine “Motor Fan,” the automotive event “Tokyo Auto Salon,” and, in the past, as the publisher of the video game “D no Shokutaku.”
Aiming to be an event where you can “really play” the games that catch your interest
Thanks to the expansion of the PC gaming market and advancements in streaming platforms, we now live in an era where, through services like Steam, players can encounter a diverse range of titles—from AAA games to indie titles and international releases. The ways people engage with games have also expanded beyond simply “playing” to include streaming, game development, and interactions among fans.
“WePlay Expo JAPAN 2027” will showcase a diverse range of titles from around the world—from AAA titles to indie games—across PC, console, and mobile platforms. The event is designed not only to allow attendees to “discover many games” but also to prioritize the opportunity to “thoroughly play the games that catch your interest.”
In addition to hands-on demos at individual exhibitor booths, the event will feature an “Organizer-Curated Demo Area” where attendees can thoroughly play the titles they’re most interested in while also discovering new games by chance. Furthermore, the event aims to allow attendees to take home a tangible memento of their love for the games they’ve played and enjoyed, with merchandise sales available at each exhibitor’s booth.
Planned Main Content
The venue is expected to feature a wide range of content beyond just game titles, including devices, merchandise, and stage events.
GAMES & PLAY: Hands-on demos of PC, console, and mobile titles ranging from AAA to indie. An organizer-run demo area is also planned.
DEVICES: Exhibits of gaming PCs, monitors, peripherals, and more
GOODS & CULTURE: Merchandise sales at exhibitor booths, themed exhibits, and opportunities to interact with creators
STAGE & COMMUNITY: Announcements of new releases and updates, game demos, RTA events, tournaments, participatory events, developer and creator talks, award ceremonies, community events, and more (under consideration)
BUSINESS & GLOBAL: Business meetings, interviews, and networking during Business Day. Two-way collaboration with overseas games, creators, and companies
3-Day Schedule and B2B Initiatives
The event is scheduled to run for three days, with the first day, April 2, 2027, designated as a “Business Day” closed to the general public. This day is designed to provide opportunities for business meetings, media interviews, and networking for development companies, publishers, investors, media outlets, hardware manufacturers, service providers, and others.
The two days on April 3 and 4 will be “Public Days,” during which both general admission and business tickets will be available for purchase (opening hours, ticket prices, and the start date for ticket sales will be announced as soon as they are finalized).
Inquiries from companies regarding exhibition and sponsorship opportunities began being accepted on the day of the announcement, and informational materials can be requested via the official website or the inquiry form.
About “WePlay Expo”
The original “WePlay Expo” is a gaming culture event that began in Shanghai, China, in 2017. Centered around game demos, it has provided a unified experience that fosters direct interaction between creators and players and immerses attendees in gaming culture.
For the 2025 edition, approximately 500 titles from 13 countries and regions will be featured, and national pavilions from Poland, Canada, New Zealand, and other countries will be exhibiting, as the event continues to grow as a global event.In 2026, as it celebrates its 10th anniversary, the event is scheduled to move to the “National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai),” one of the world’s largest exhibition venues, with plans to expand its scale even further.
Event Overview
Name: WePlay Expo JAPAN 2027
Dates: April 2 (Fri) – 4 (Sun), 2027
April 2 (Fri): Business Day
April 3 (Sat) and 4 (Sun): Public Days
Venue: Makuhari Messe Halls 5 & 6 (Mihama Ward, Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture)
Organizers: WePlay Expo JAPAN Executive Committee (IID, Inc.; San-ei Co., Ltd.)
Licensor/Producer: CiGA (China Indie Game Alliance)
Admission: Paid (General Admission / Business Tickets; details to be announced at a later date)
Official Website:https://weplayexpo.jp
Official X:https://x.com/WeplayExpoJAPAN
