E3 2021 is almost here. Just like in 2020, there’s no physical convention this year, which means free-for-all of press conferences and live streams taking place throughout June and July. But the big names like Nintendo, Ubisoft, and Microsoft (as well as our PC gaming show) are mostly concentrating on an “official” E3 period this year, starting June 12.
Here’s a schedule of every event happening this year for E3 2021.
When is E3 2021?
All summer! Well, okay, not really: E3 has some “official” dates again, with live streams running from June 12 – June 15, 2021. But just like last year, publishers have decided to host their events whenever they see fit. The first big E3 stream this year is Summer Game Fest Kickoff Live on June 10th, and it’s going to be a busy few days after that.
Here’s every summer gaming event announced so far.
How do I just watch every E3 event on one stream?
If you’re confused by the difference between “official” E3 events and other gaming live streams happening this June, you’re not alone. It’s confusing for us, too. But all that matters is knowing where you can stream everything without missing out on any of the events.
From June 12 – June 15, you’ll be able to watch every gaming stream on the official E3 streams:
- Twitch
- Youtube
E3’s Livestream will include hosting big events like Ubisoft’s and Microsoft’s as well as in-betweener interviews with game developers.
Leave E3 running for four days straight and you shouldn’t miss a moment—except for the first few events listed below, which start before E3 proper.
E3 SCHEDULE: WEDNESDAY JUNE 9
Battlefield reveal
Start time: 7 am PT
Watch: YouTube
EA Play Live isn’t until July, but EA decided not to wait to show off what’s coming next with Battlefield. A reveal event for the new game lands on Wednesday before E3 even gets going full steam.
E3 SCHEDULE: THURSDAY JUNE 10
Summer Game Fest Kickoff Live
Start time: 11 am PT
Watch: Youtube
Geoff Keighley hosts the start of his Summer Game Fest just before the official E3 events. He promises “more than a dozen world premieres and announcements.” Also, Weezer’s gonna be there.
E3 SCHEDULE: FRIDAY JUNE 11
Netflix Geeked Week
Start time: 9 am PT
Watch: Twitch
Netflix is highlighting “geeky” shows all week, but Friday’s event, hosted by Geoff Keighley, is devoted to shows based on games. Expect The Witcher Season 2 to get a new trailer, and for the Resident Evil CG series to appear as well.
Koch Primetime
Start time: 12 pm PT
Watch: Twitch
Koch Media (the big company behind publisher Deep Silver and games like Metro and Saint’s Row) is holding its streaming event as part of Summer Game Fest.
IGN Expo
Start time: 1 pm PT
Watch: Twitch, YouTube
Like last year, IGN is running its event this year in addition to covering the rest of the summer’s gaming reveals. The IGN Expo promises game reveals and exclusive announcements as well as some kind of partnership with Geoff Keighley’s Summer Game Fest, so expect some debuts from Thursday night to reappear at this show.
E3 SCHEDULE: SATURDAY JUNE 12
The Guerilla Collective
Start time: 8 am PT
Watch: Twitch
Indie games are galore! As part of its event, The Guerrilla Collective will also be hosting streams for Black Voices in Gaming and Wholesome Direct.
Ubisoft Forward
Start time: 12 pm PT
Watch: Twitch
Expect to see more Far Cry 6 at Ubisoft’s show this year. What else is likely? Rabbids, lots of Just Dancing, and maybe a new Assassin’s Creed.
Devolver Direct
Start time: 1:30 pm PT
Watch: YouTube, Twitch
Expect to see Phantom Abyss, which is asynchronous multiplayer Indiana Jones, and not Hotline Miami 3, which does not exist.
Gearbox Entertainment
Start time: 2 pm PT
Watch: Twitch
The Borderlands studio is bound to talk Borderlands, whether it’s new events or DLC for Borderlands 3 or possibly a trailer for the Borderlands movie. We may also see announcements for any new games Gearbox is publishing.
E3 SCHEDULE: SUNDAY JUNE 13
Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase
Start time: 10 am PT
Watch: Twitch, YouTube
This should be a big show this year, with Microsoft bringing series like Halo and Forza to E3 along with Bethesda’s debut of Starfield. Will we see more of Obsidian’s Avowed and get a Psychonauts 2 release date? Entirely possible!
Square Enix Presents
Start time: 12:15 pm PT
Watch: Twitch, YouTube
So far, Square Enix says it will be debuting a new game from Eidos-Montréal. They’ll also be talking about Marvel’s Avengers, Babylon’s Fall, and Life Are Strange: True Colors.
Warner Bros Games Back 4 Blood
Start Time: 2 pm PT
Watch: Twitch
According to the ESA, Warner Bros games will be featured on Sunday, meaning possibly some Gotham Knights talk. Back 4 Blood is specifically mentioned as well, which WB is publishing.
PC Gaming Show
Start time: 2:30 pm PT
Watch: Twitch, YouTube
The PC Gaming Show returns! Expect lots of games for the Sony PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch… just kidding. It’s going to be full of cool new PC games, of course.
Future Games Show
Start time: 4 pm PT
Watch: Twitch, YouTube
Our sister show from GamesRadar+ will back us up with more game reveals.
E3 SCHEDULE: MONDAY JUNE 14
Take-Two Interactive
Start time: 10:15 am PT
Watch: Twitch, YouTube
T2 can always be expected to talk about their upcoming sports games. Rockstar is their other huge name, who will likely be talking about future Red Dead Redemption 2 Online and GTA Online updates. We can always hope for the official mention of GTA 6.
Freedom Games
Start time: 12:30 pm PT
Watch: Twitch, YouTube
Indie game publisher Freedom Games has several upcoming games they might talk about. They’ve mentioned unveiling a release date for their strategy RPG Dark Deity.
Capcom
Start time: 2:30 pm PT
Watch: Twitch, YouTube
We can probably expect to hear about any of Capcom’s upcoming and ongoing Monster Hunter games during their show, and perhaps talk of Resident Evil Village DLC.
Razer Keynote
Start time: 3 pm PT
Watch: Twitch, YouTube
Razer will be revealing some new products during their keynote event on Monday and hosting “RazerStore Live” afterward with a closer look.
E3 SCHEDULE: TUESDAY JUNE 15
Nintendo Direct + Treehouse Live
Start time: 9 am PT
Watch: Twitch, YouTube
This year’s Nintendo Direct promises “roughly 40 minutes of info focused exclusively on Nintendo Switch software, mostly releasing in 2021.” The Treehouse Live follows with three more hours of gameplay.
Bandai Namco
Start time: 2:25 pm PT
Watch: Twitch, YouTube
Will we see Elden Ring? It could happen. More likely we’ll get an additional look at Bandai Namco’s upcoming Tales of Arise and Scarlet Nexus.
MORE SUMMER GAMING EVENTS
Most of the summer gaming events are concentrated from June 10 – June 13, but that’s not all of them. Here’s what else is coming throughout the summer:
July 6 – Nacon Connect
Start time: 10 am PT
Watch: Twitch, YouTube
Nacon is hosting its showcase again this year. SO far, the publisher has confirmed it will be talking about Blood Bowl 3, Steelrising, The Lord of the Rings: Gollum, and a few other upcoming games.
July 22 – EA Play Live
Start time: TBA
Watch: Twitch, YouTube
Maybe we’ll hear something new about the hit dodgeball game Knockout City—but we’re hoping for more on the next Dragon Age and whatever Star Wars games EA has cooking.
- The Guerrilla Collective is streaming on Saturday, June 5th, and Saturday, June 12th, and also hosting Black Voices in Gaming and Wholesome Direct on those days.
- Indie Live Expo will showcase more than 300 indie games from around the world in a five-hour show taking place on June 5.
- Geoff Keighley won’t be involved with E3 but is bringing back his Summer Game Fest starting on June 10th.
- GDC 2021 will run the Independent Games Festival and Game Developers Choice Awards from July 19 – July 23.