It’s time to change the game. Registration is now open for the 2026 GDC Festival of Gaming, marking a bold expansion for the world’s premier B2B gaming industry event.
GDC 2026 transforms the iconic event at San Francisco's Moscone Convention Center to meet today’s broader, interconnected games industry. We bring together game developers, publishers, distributors, investors, founders, technologists, toolmakers, marketers, educators, and media in a single week of game-changing connection, discovery, and learning this March 9-13, 2026.
REGISTER FOR GDC FESTIVAL OF GAMING 2026
Informed and inspired by feedback from our community, our simplified pass structure, starting at $649 for five days of unlimited content and connections, makes GDC 2026 45% more affordable than last year's event. GDC Festival of Gaming is more than a game development conference: It’s an industry celebration.
“In a time of great change, we can build walls or build bridges—and the game industry has always thrived by coming together,” said Mark DeLoura, GDC’s Executive Director of Innovation and Growth. “The GDC Festival of Gaming strengthens those connections, celebrating creativity and supporting everyone who brings games to life, from napkin sketch to global launch.”
NEW PASS STRUCTURE
It all starts by getting you in the door. We've simplified our previous pass structure to bring the entire industry to our San Francisco gaming conference 2026. Instead of almost a dozen pass types to choose from, we now have two passes.
That's right. Two passes.
There's the Festivals Pass, which provides full access to all sessions, along with networking activities, Festival Hall (formerly GDC Expo), and exclusive hotel discounts. No more will attendees be turned away at the door of a GDC session for having the "wrong pass type." Everyone is welcome to learn, connect, and grow. Starting at $649 for the advanced rate, it's 45% more affordable than the former All-Access pass from GDC 2025.
For those wanting a more catered experience, the Game Changer Pass also includes (along with everything in the Festivals Pass) premium seating and lounges, fast-track entry to keynotes, concerts, and awards shows, access to the Luminaries Speaker Series, eligibility for GamePlan, GDC Vault access, and more.
We also provide support for early-stage indies, start-ups, and academia—so more of the ecosystem can be part of the week. Applications required, with limited availability.
UNIFIED CONTENT PROGRAM
Our content program has been updated to offer attendees a full-week journey across the full spectrum of the game-making experience. We recognize that today's game industry professionals are no longer siloed to one step of the process.
Cross-disciplinary learning and collaboration is essential, and GDC 2026 is here to uplift game creators and prepare them for their roles in fueling the interconnected ecosystem. These include B2B, peer-to-peer talks covering: game design, programming, business and marketing, production and team leadership, free-to-play, narrative, VR/AR/MR, visual arts, audio, independent games, advocacy, education, growing your career, and more.
Alongside legendary postmortems, technical sessions and pioneering advocacy, expect interactive content all week that connects disciplines and opens commercial doors through the reimagined summits, specialty series, mixers, workshops, fireside chats, forums, roundtables and demos.
We're excited to announce the debut of our Luminaries Speaker Series, a three-day, executive-level program at the Blue Shield of California Theater at YBCA, delivered by influential voices across games and adjacent industries. We're also introducing GamePlan, an invite-only deal engine that brings qualified executives, decision-makers, and innovators together for pre-scheduled, facilitated 1:1 meetings that move business forward. The Game Changer Pass is required for both programs.
GDC NIGHTS
Don't forget about our after-hours experiences with the reimagined GDC Nights program. Every night (from Monday through Thursday) features a don't-miss event, like the Opening Night Social Mixer on Monday night and the return of Austin Wintory’s “Developer’s Concert” on Tuesday night.
We have also split the Independent Game Festival Awards and the Game Developers Choice Awards into two separate events (on Wednesday and Thursday). We realized our awards shows are too special to keep to one evening, so we're giving our beloved indies and industry favorites the time and stage they deserve.
JOIN US AT THE FESTIVAL OF GAMING
The debut of GDC Festival of Gaming comes on GDC's 40th iteration, building on the event's unparalleled legacy. As one festival, GDC 2026 offers the same rigor and depth that makes GDC essential, now amplified with new perspectives and pathways for collaboration across every stage of a game’s lifecycle. Have questions? Check out our FAQ for everything you need.
Experience everything that GDC 2026 and the city of San Francisco have to offer. Our event is located near the SF MOMA, Yerba Buena Gardens, the Metreon, and Union Square (with one of its latest additions, the Nintendo Store). Make sure you secure the best hotel rates through GDC to be right in the middle of the action.
REGISTER FOR GDC FESTIVAL OF GAMING 2026
“We are excited to reveal the blueprint for GDC Festival of Gaming, celebrating the interconnection between creators, leaders, and partners that drive the industry forward.” said Nina Brown, President, GDC and Gaming Vertical Leader, Informa Festivals. “And it’s only the beginning.”
GDC Festival of Gaming returns to San Francisco this March 9-13, 2026. We can't wait to celebrate everything that makes this industry great. With you.
Let's change the game. Together.
For a deeper dive into what attendees can expect at the GDC Festival of Gaming, please visit the newly relaunched Festival of Gaming website, or subscribe to regular updates via LinkedIn, Facebook, X or BlueSky. Official photos are available via the Official GDC Flickr account: www.flickr.com/photos/officialgdc/.