CES 2025: What to expect and how to watch

With CES upon us, you have probably seen countless mentions of the conference from any tech news outlet or company you follow. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast or consumer, the show is guaranteed to feature something you care about — be it the launch of a new tech product or feature or the demo of some visionary technology with the potential to change the future.

Also: ZDNET joins CNET Group to award the Best of CES, and you can submit your entry now

Want to keep up with the conference’s latest and hottest news? ZDNET will have a team on the ground bringing you the latest announcements during the show, so you don’t miss a thing. Here’s everything you need to know about CES 2025.

What is CES? 

The Consumer Electronics Show, also known as CES for short, is an industry tradeshow that features the biggest tech players from across the globe who will showcase their latest consumer technology with daily product launches, keynotes, activations, and demos. The annual event, which has found a permanent home at the Las Vegas Convention Center and other nearby hotels, has been taking place for decades, becoming a staple in the tech community.

When is CES 2025?

The official days of CES 2025 are Tuesday, Jan. 7, to Friday, Jan. 10. However, since Jan. 5 and Jan. 6 are media days, you can expect a lot of news to break before the conference starts. Once the conference kicks off officially on Tuesday and the show floor opens, you will start to see reports related to each exhibitor’s booths and demos.

The major tech companies invest a hefty penny to secure CES booths in prime locations and, therefore, make them as elaborate as possible — quite a sight to behold. To see them for yourself, follow ZDNET’s video platforms (YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram). 

Where is CES 2025 happening?

CES has been held in Las Vegas, Nev., since 1978. 

While the main show floor is in the Las Vegas Convention Center, the conference is so massive that it expands to neighboring hotels comprised of two campuses: the Venetian campus and the C Space campus. The Venetian campus includes the Venetian, Palazzo, and Wynn, while the C Space campus includes the Aria, Vdara, Cosmopolitan, and Park MGM. There are a total of 12 official venues, spanning over 2.5 million net square feet, according to the CES website.

Can you attend CES 2025?

Although it is a tradeshow that includes the term “consumer” in the title, it is not open to the general public. 

Per the CES website, “CES is a trade-only event for individuals 18 years of age or older and affiliated with the consumer technology industry.” The three registration types are industry and media attendees and exhibitor personnel, and you must meet a long list of registration requirements for each.

Even if you meet the qualifications, you still have to pay to attend. There are two ticket tiers: the Exhibits Plus Pass, $350, and the Deluxe Conference Pass, $1,700. Full details on exactly who is eligible to attend and how to prove eligibility can be found on the CES registration page. In 2024, there were 135,000 or more attendees. 

If you don’t qualify, don’t worry; most companies will livestream their keynotes, and ZDNET will update its site daily with the latest.

Which companies will be at CES 2025?

The list of companies exhibiting at CES is extensive; CES 2024 featured more than 4,300 exhibitors, including about 1,400 startups, according to CES data. This year, the CES website advertises that exhibitors will include 309 of the Fortune 500 companies. Attendees include big names such as Qualcomm, Intel, Google, Samsung, and Panasonic. 

The full list is public, and you can review it here. 

What can you expect at CES 2025?

At CES, you can always expect the release of lots of hardware, with new PCs and TVs being a large part of the show. Following precedent, some less flashy but equally important announcements will likely include the latest processors from the leading chip companies, such as Intel and Qualcomm, which are especially notable as they will power the latest features, including AI, in your future devices.

In terms of themes, you can expect to hear lots of AI mentions, whether it be using the technology to make more functional smart home devices, fitness trackers, assistants, robotics, features for your devices, or even standalone products, such as last year’s Rabbit R1 debut.

How to watch CES 2025

The major companies will be holding live streams, so it is worth checking their YouTube pages and socials for the links. Some companies already include links to Nvidia, Samsung, and Sony. ZDNET will have a team covering the event on the ground, as well as one covering the event remotely to ensure you don’t miss a thing.