CES 2025: A Preview of the Year’s Biggest Tech Show
While it may seem early in the year, CES firmly holds its title as the largest and most captivating technology event of 2025 (rivaled only by Apple’s own product launches). Held annually in Las Vegas, Nevada, this four-day extravaganza takes over vast spaces within iconic venues like the Venetian, Wynn, and the newly opened Sphere arena.
The show blends high-profile keynotes – featuring speakers such as Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and Waymo co-CEO Tekedra N. Mawakana – with press events, product launches, and a sprawling exhibition showcasing cutting-edge gadgets, prototypes, and technological advancements. Officially running from January 7th to 10th, the event effectively begins two days earlier for tech journalists and enthusiasts alike, with major press announcements typically occurring on January 5th and 6th. A comprehensive schedule is available on the official CES website.
A Who’s Who of Tech
Major players across the tech landscape will be present, with the notable exception of Apple. Expect appearances from industry giants like Samsung, LG, Nvidia, AMD, Qualcomm, Sony, Hisense, Lenovo, TCL, and Meta. Discussions will heavily center around artificial intelligence, alongside reveals of new chips, graphics cards, and—as is customary—enormous OLED TVs. The show will also be saturated with the latest in smart wearables, including smart glasses and virtual reality headsets. Furthermore, while not strictly an automotive event, CES 2025 will feature a significant automotive presence, with exhibitors including BMW, Honda, Volvo, Zeeker, and the intriguing Sony-Honda collaboration. A complete list of exhibitors can also be found on the CES website.
Attendance and Registration
Unlike events such as Mobile World Congress and IFA, CES is not open to the general public. Attendees must be 18 years or older and affiliated with the consumer technology industry. Registration is required, with three attendee categories: Industry attendee, media, and exhibitor personnel. Most non-industry professionals will fall under the Industry attendee category, requiring proof of affiliation with a consumer tech company (business cards, employment verification, links to media articles, etc.). Specific requirements are detailed on the CES website.
Ticket Information
Once registered, attendees can purchase tickets. Pricing varied, with the Exhibits Plus Pass costing $149 until December 4th, rising to $350 thereafter. This pass grants access to the exhibit floor, keynotes, and select conference programming. A Deluxe Conference Pass, encompassing all conference and partner programming, cost $1400 until December 4th and $1700 subsequently.
About the Author:
Stan is a Senior Editor at Mashable, where he has worked since 2007. He possesses an extensive collection of battery-powered gadgets and band t-shirts, and focuses his writing on emerging technologies, from phones and coins to cars. His overarching goal is to become a polymath.