Imagine stepping into a world where pixels and polygons come to life, where you fight side by side with your favorite heroes, and where the boundaries between reality and fantasy blur. Welcome to the PLAY! – Interactive Gaming Convention, the largest gaming event in Rhineland-Palatinate! Here, gamers, cosplayers, and tech enthusiasts come together to immerse themselves in the fascinating world of video games. In this article, we’ll take you on a journey through the highlights of PLAY! Con and show you why this event is an absolute must for all gaming fans.
What is PLAY! Con?
The PLAY! – Interactive Gaming Convention is an annual event dedicated to the diverse world of gaming. Since its debut in 2022, it has established itself as a central meeting point for the gaming community in Rhineland-Palatinate. The convention offers a varied program ranging from e-sports tournaments and cosplay competitions to exhibitions by regional development studios. Whether you are a passionate gamer, an enthusiastic cosplayer, or simply curious about the latest trends in the gaming world, PLAY! Con has something for everyone.
The history of PLAY! Con
The journey of PLAY! Con began in 2022, when it was first held at Messepark Trier. With over 80 gaming stations, including retro games, sim racing, and virtual reality, it attracted numerous visitors. In 2023, the event expanded with additional highlights, including the Rhineland-Palatinate e-sports state championship and the Rhineland-Palatinate preliminary round for the Cosplay Performance Championship Germany. In 2024, PLAY! Con raised the bar again with an even more extensive program featuring international guests and additional competitions. And 2025 promises to be an unforgettable experience as well.
Highlights of PLAY! Con 2025
PLAY! Con 2025 will once again be a celebration for all gaming enthusiasts. Here are some of the expected highlights:
- Gaming Area: More than 80 gaming stations, from retro to next-gen, offer something for every taste. Here you can try out the latest games and rediscover classics.
- Creative Games Area: Regional development studios present their innovative games. A paradise for indie game fans!
- Community Area: Meet like-minded people, exchange ideas, and find the perfect cosplay accessories. Photo points capture unforgettable moments.
- Stage Program: Hosted by well-known Twitch personalities such as Michael „Ryorg“ Brück and SmashLunatic, you can expect an exciting mix of e-sports and entertainment. Look forward to talks, live music, and speedrun showcases.
- Cosplay Showcase: Show off your handmade cosplay on the big stage and win great prizes. Beginners are warmly welcome too!
- Rhineland-Palatinate E-Sports State Championship: Compete against the best players in the region in disciplines such as Rocket League, EA Sports FC 25, and Super Smash Bros.
Practical information
PLAY! Con 2025 takes place at two locations:
| Date | Location | Opening hours | Ticket prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26 & 27 July 2025 | ratiopharm arena, Neu-Ulm | Saturday: 10:00 – 20:00 Sunday: 10:00 – 18:00 |
1-day ticket Saturday: 12€ 1-day ticket Sunday: 10€ Weekend ticket: 18€ Discounted tickets available for pupils, students, retirees, and people with disabilities |
| 8 & 9 November 2025 | Messepark Trier | Saturday: 10:00 – 20:00 Sunday: 11:00 – 18:00 |
1-day ticket Saturday: 14€ 1-day ticket Sunday: 12€ Weekend ticket: 20€ Discounted tickets available for pupils, students, retirees, and people with disabilities |
Ample parking is available for those arriving by car. Messepark Trier offers more than 1,000 free parking spaces. There are also good public transport connections in both Neu-Ulm and Trier. Further information on how to get there can be found on the official PLAY! Con website.
Cosplay rules
For all cosplayers, there are a few important notes:
- Clothing: Cosplays should not be too revealing; breasts, intimate areas, and buttocks must be sufficiently covered.
- Accessories: Large and bulky cosplay accessories (e.g. weapons, wings) must be checked before entry to avoid the risk of injury and to prevent obstructing other visitors.
- Weapon rules: Certain weapons and replica weapons are not permitted at the convention. You can find a detailed list on the official PLAY! Con website.
Please note that the exact rules and regulations are published on the official PLAY! Con website. It is advisable to review them before visiting the convention to ensure a smooth experience.
Why you shouldn’t miss PLAY! Con
PLAY! Con is more than just a gaming convention. It is a place for meeting people, exchanging ideas, and finding inspiration. Here you can:
- Discover new games: Try out the latest titles and get an exclusive look at upcoming releases.
- Meet like-minded people: Connect with other gaming fans and make new friends.
- Show your passion: Present your cosplay on stage and receive recognition for your work.
- Expand your knowledge: Take part in talks and workshops and deepen your understanding of the gaming world.
- Enjoy entertainment: Be inspired by live music, e-sports tournaments, and other attractions.
PLAY! Con offers all this and much more. It is a must for everyone who loves and wants to experience the world of gaming.
About Nekodanshi
As a cosplay agency, Nekodanshi is proud to support the gaming and cosplay community. We offer:
- Cosplay walk acts: Our talented cosplayers perform at events, trade fairs, and corporate celebrations and bring your event to life.
- Costume construction: We support you in building your dream costume and are there to help and advise you.
- Event marketing with cosplayers: We help you enrich your event with professional cosplayers and create an unforgettable experience.
In addition, we also support cosplay conventions and are happy to be represented there with our own booth and cosplayers. Cosplayers can register in our free cosplayer directory NekoConnect to network and be booked. You can find more information on our website.
We look forward to meeting you at PLAY! Con and celebrating the world of gaming together!
Questions on the topic
What is PLAY! Con?
The PLAY! – Interactive Gaming Convention is an annual event dedicated to the diverse world of gaming. Since its debut in 2022, it has established itself as a central meeting point for the gaming community in Rhineland-Palatinate. The convention offers a varied program ranging from e-sports tournaments and cosplay competitions to exhibitions by regional development studios. Whether you are a passionate gamer, an enthusiastic cosplayer, or simply curious about the latest trends in the gaming world, PLAY! Con has something for everyone.
When and where will PLAY! Con 2025 take place?
PLAY! Con 2025 will take place at two locations:
- 26 & 27 July 2025
ratiopharm arena, Neu-Ulm
Saturday: 10:00 – 20:00
Sunday: 10:00 – 18:00
Ticket prices: 1-day ticket Saturday: 12€, 1-day ticket Sunday: 10€, weekend ticket: 18€
Discounted tickets available for pupils, students, retirees, and people with disabilities - 8 & 9 November 2025
Messepark Trier
Saturday: 10:00 – 20:00
Sunday: 11:00 – 18:00
Ticket prices: 1-day ticket Saturday: 14€, 1-day ticket Sunday: 12€, weekend ticket: 20€
Discounted tickets available for pupils, students, retirees, and people with disabilities
What highlights does PLAY! Con 2025 offer?
PLAY! Con 2025 offers numerous highlights, including:
- Gaming Area: More than 80 gaming stations, from retro to next-gen, offer something for every taste. Here you can try out the latest games and rediscover classics.
- Creative Games Area: Regional development studios present their innovative games. A paradise for indie game fans!
- Community Area: Meet like-minded people, exchange ideas, and find the perfect cosplay accessories. Photo points capture unforgettable moments.
- Stage Program: Hosted by well-known Twitch personalities such as Michael „Ryorg“ Brück and SmashLunatic, you can expect an exciting mix of e-sports and entertainment. Look forward to talks, live music, and speedrun showcases.
- Cosplay Showcase: Show off your handmade cosplay on the big stage and win great prizes. Beginners are warmly welcome too!
- Rhineland-Palatinate E-Sports State Championship: Compete against the best players in the region in disciplines such as Rocket League, EA Sports FC 25, and Super Smash Bros.
How do I get to PLAY! Con?
Getting to PLAY! Con is possible by car as well as by public transport:
- Car: There is a large P+R parking area directly at the Messepark site with over 1,000 free parking spaces. The ratiopharm arena Neu-Ulm can be reached via the A8 and B10. Messepark Trier can be reached via the A1 and A602.
- Public transport: In Neu-Ulm, bus line 5 stops directly at ratiopharm arena. In Trier, bus line 83 goes to Messepark P+R.