Written by Patrick Balfe
Whether you’re a videogame fan or just appreciate a good old-fashioned rhyming event name, Nintendo Live 2025 is worth getting excited about. With the recent release of the Nintendo Switch 2 and a raft of new games around the corner, this year’s event in particular has plenty to watch out for.
What to expect
As opposed to the more industry-focused video game conferences, Nintendo Live is one for the fans. This year’s programming is centered on, but not limited to, the Mario Kart World: Invitational 2025 Tournament and Switch 2 game demos.
The invitational tournament will feature players from around the world gathered on stage to battle it out for the world title. Other tournaments happening across the weekend include parent-and-child and general Mario Kart World tournaments and two Splatoon 3 tournaments, Splatoon Battle and Salmon Run. Top performers in the first day’s Mario Kart tournaments will be eligible to compete in the invitational tournament on the second day.
On top of that, fans will also get the chance to test out the Switch 2 console and new release games, and more activities are due to be announced prior to the event.
Schedule
Nintendo Live 2025 will take place on Saturday, October 5, and Sunday, October 6. Registration for tournament participation opened in mid-July, and applications for general admission start in August. In order to apply for participation in the tournaments, you’ll need to download the official Nintendo Today app.
The first day’s tournaments will include the general and parent-and-child Mario Kart World competitions as well as the Splatoon 3 Splatoon Battle tournament.
The second day’s offerings will include the Splatoon 3 Salmon Run tournament and the Mario Kart World Invitational Tournament.
Tickets
Advance registration is required for both tournament participation and general admission. To apply for tournament participation, you’ll first need to download the Nintendo Today app. For general admission, head to the official website in August.
How to get there
This year’s event will take place at Tokyo Big Sight, specifically South Halls 1 and 2. Tokyo Big Sight is a roughly 7-minute walk from Kokusai-tenjijō Station on the Rinkai Line. To get there from Shibuya, take the JR Saikyō Line (which changes onto the Rinkai Line) directly to Kokusai-tenjijō Station or take the JR Yamanote Line to Ōsaki Station and then transfer to the Rinkai Line to get to Kokusai-Tenjijō Station. Both options take around 30 minutes.
Organizers may cancel events, alter schedules, or change admission requirements without notice. Always check official sites before heading to an event.Add to Calendar
- 253 m from Tokyo Big Sight Station Yurikamome (U11)
- 0.5 km from Ariake Station Yurikamome (U12)
- 0.6 km from Kokusai-tenjijō Station JR Rinkai Line (R3)
