# Midwest Gaming Classic Begins Today in Milwaukee

**Source:** Replay Magazine  
**Type:** article  
**Published:** 2026-04-23  
**Beat:** Pinball

**URL:** https://www.replaymag.com/midwest-gaming-classic-begins-today-in-milwaukee/

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## Analysis

The Midwest Gaming Classic is celebrating its 25th anniversary with an expected attendance of 35,000+ visitors at the Baird Center in Milwaukee (April 24-26). The event, which originated in 2001 as a basement meetup for Atari fans, will feature over 10,000 playable games across 350,000 sq. ft., including pinball machines, video games, and board games.

### Key Claims

- [HIGH] Midwest Gaming Classic is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2026 — _Article opening statement; if started in 2001, 25th anniversary would be 2026_
- [HIGH] Event expects more than 35,000 attendees this weekend — _Stated directly in article_
- [HIGH] Event will feature more than 10,000 playable games — _Stated directly in article_
- [HIGH] Midwest Gaming Classic started in 2001 as a basement meetup for Atari fans — _Stated directly in article_
- [HIGH] The event is held at the Baird Center in Milwaukee across 350,000 sq. ft. — _Stated directly in article; dates given as April 24-26_

### Notable Quotes

> "This has always been about bringing people together. You play a game next to someone and share that experience. That's what keeps people coming back."
> — **Dan Loosen**
> _Co-founder articulates the core philosophy and draw of the event — in-person social gaming experience rather than just game availability_

### Entities

| Name | Type | Context |
|------|------|---------|
| Midwest Gaming Classic | event | Annual gaming convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; celebrating 25th anniversary; major pinball community gathering |
| Dan Loosen | person | Co-founder of Midwest Gaming Classic |
| Baird Center | venue | Location of Midwest Gaming Classic in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; 350,000 sq. ft. venue |

### Signals

- **[event_signal]** Midwest Gaming Classic marking 25th anniversary represents significant longevity and established status in the retro gaming/pinball community (confidence: high) — Article emphasizes '25th anniversary' and origin story (started 2001)
- **[venue_signal]** Event grown to 35,000+ expected attendees and 10,000+ games across 350,000 sq. ft., indicating significant scale and community reach (confidence: high) — Explicit attendance and game count figures; venue size provided
- **[community_signal]** Event philosophy centered on in-person social experience and shared gaming moments as retention driver (confidence: high) — Co-founder Dan Loosen's quote about bringing people together and shared experience

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## Transcript

Celebrating its 25th anniversary, the Midwest Gaming Classic is expecting more than 35,000 attendees this weekend in Milwaukee. The event, which started in 2001 as a basement meetup for Atari fans, will feature more than 10,000 playable games across 350,000 sq. ft. at the Baird Center from April 24-26. “This has always been about bringing people together,” said co-founder Dan Loosen. “You play a game next to someone and share that experience. That’s what keeps people coming back.” The event has video games of all kinds, pinball machines, board games and more. Visit www.midwestgamingclassic.com to learn more.

_(Acquisition: raw_text, Enrichment: v5)_

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*Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-06-06 | Item ID: 32952af0-c699-49fa-b220-ca43aedd6c25*