The ESA announces its E3 replacement, iicon taking place in April 2026

The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has announced its new Interactive Innovative Conference, called iicon. The former owners of the now-dead E3 Conference announced the first-of-its-kind event designed to connect visionaries, thought leaders, and innovators from across industries to “harness the power of interactive entertainment”.

iicon is set to take place from April 27-30, 2026 in Las Vegas at the Fontainebleau Resort. Those who attend will get exclusive access to visionary keynotes, engaging discussions and workshops, and elite networking opportunities with executives. 

“For decades, video games have been at the forefront of technological and cultural innovation,” said Stanley Pierre-Louis, president and CEO, ESA. “With iicon, we are creating a space for visionaries across industries to come together, connect and reimagine what’s possible through interactive entertainment.”

iicon is set to include leaders from Disney, Amazon Games, Electronic Arts, Epic Games, Microsoft, Nintendo of America, Sony Interactive Entertainment, Square Enix, Take-Two Interactive, Ubisoft, and Warner Bros. Games. 

It looks like iicon will be what E3 was like where it’ll be an invite-only event for media members and others within the video game industry. It will be far from a fan-focused event. What’s interesting is the timing of it where it’ll be in April instead of June.

It remains to be seen if this will be an event where major announcements happen like E3 once did. In 2023, The ESA announced that E3 would be canceled forever. What took its place was Summer Game Fest hosted by Geoff Keighley. 

Source: The ESA