Tokyo Game Show 2026 Public Day Opens to Long Morning Lines
Tokyo Game Show 2026 is currently underway at Makuhari Messe, running from September 17 to September 21. The first two days, September 17 and 18, were reserved as business days, while September 19 marked the opening of the public general days. This year is notable as the event’s 30th anniversary, and it is being held across five days for the first time in its history. Organizers and attendees are now watching closely to see how many visitors will pass through the venue across the three public days.
Gaming fans began gathering well before sunrise. By 8:00 AM, when Famitsu’s coverage began, a long queue already wrapped around the Makuhari Messe venue. Although the sky was overcast, rain had not yet fallen at that point, and attendees waited eagerly for the doors to open. The entrance was originally scheduled to open at 9:30 AM, but following tradition it opened 30 minutes early at 9:00 AM. Applause broke out as the general day officially began, and visitors moved calmly toward their desired booths without major disruption.
Attendance figures for the two business days have been reported. The first business day on September 17 drew 53,630 visitors, while the second day on September 18 welcomed 52,545, bringing the two-day total to 106,175. For comparison, in 2025 the first business day saw 52,352 visitors and the second day 54,779, for a two-day total of 107,131. The numbers show a slight dip compared with the previous year’s business days, though the public days will ultimately shape the final attendance totals.
Demand at several high-profile booths was intense from the start. According to the outlet’s headline, numbered tickets for the GTA6 theater, as well as for Final Fantasy VII Revelation and Monster Hunter Wilds: Ascendance, were fully distributed early in the day. Famitsu presents a photo record of the opening scenes. With the 30th anniversary year and the extended five-day format, this year’s Tokyo Game Show is one worth keeping an eye on for fans following the event’s growth.
