.png)
In an industry moving as fast as gaming, knowing the right game industry events and game conferences to attend can mean the difference between staying ahead and getting left behind. Whether you’re a dev, marketer, publisher or just someone passionate about interactive entertainment, 2026 is shaping up to be a year packed with opportunities to learn, showcase, and connect. From major developer summits to international expos, we’ve collected the top game conferences of 2026.
Game Developers Conference 2026 (GDC)
Dates: March 11-15, 2026 - Location: San Francisco, USA
GDC remains the must-attend event for the games industry, with design talks, technical pipelines, business strategy and a huge networking scene. For 2026, GDC is becoming a ‘festival of gaming’ for its attendees, who can still expect a deep dive into what’s next in games.
Gamescom 2026
Dates: August 26-30, 2026 - Location: Cologne, Germany
As Europe’s largest game expo, Gamescom is where major new releases are revealed and publishers meet global partners. This one should always be on your agenda.
Taipei Game Show 2026
Dates: February 16-20, 2026 Location: Taipei, Taiwan
Big in the Asia-Pacific region, this show offers strong exposure to East-Asian markets, indie devs and hardware trends. If you’re looking beyond North America and Europe, make sure to check it out.
Brasil Game Show 2026 (BGS)
Dates: October 9-13, 2026 - Location: São Paulo, Brazil
The largest game event in Latin America, BGS is a key place for outreach to emerging markets and Latin-American audiences.
PAX (East, West & Aus) 2026
Dates:
- PAX East: March 2026 - Boston, USA
- PAX West: August 2026 - Seattle, USA
- PAX Australia: October 2026 - Melbourne, Australia
PAX continues to be one of the most community-driven game industry events around. Each edition brings together thousands of players, creators and indie devs in a friendly and fun environment. For smaller studios, it’s one of the most accessible ways to get real player feedback, meet press and connect with other devs without the overwhelming scale of Gamescom or GDC. Whether you’re showcasing your first demo or attending panels, PAX remains one of the most welcoming game conferences you can attend.
Summer Game Fest 2026
Dates: June 2026 - Los Angeles, USA
Founded by Geoff Keighley, Summer Game Fest has quickly become one of the biggest global showcases for upcoming releases and announcements. What started as an online replacement for E3 has evolved into a full-scale event, complete with live demos, press previews and digital broadcasts watched by millions worldwide. If you want to know what games people will be talking about for the rest of the year, Summer Game Fest is the one to watch.
Copenhagen Gaming Week 2026
Dates: January 16–19, 2026 - Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen Gaming Week kicks off the year as one of Europe’s freshest game industry events, combining esports, indie showcases and more under one roof. It’s a great space for developers, publishers and fans to meet before the big GDC and Gamescom announcements hit later in the year.
Digital Gaming India Expo 2026
Dates: January 17–19, 2026 - Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, India
The 2026 edition of The Digital Gaming India Expo will bring together developers, publishers, investors and esports professionals to showcase how India’s gaming industry is evolving.
Develop: Brighton 2026
Dates: July 14–16, 2026 - Brighton, United Kingdom
Develop: Brighton is the UK’s leading game development conference, bringing together developers, publishers and tech partners for three days of insightful talks, panels, and networking. You’ll find sessions on everything from AI tools and game economy design to narrative structure and team culture. For developers based in Europe or looking to connect with UK studios, Develop: Brighton 2026 is essential.
Summary
2026 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting years yet for game industry events. From the technical deep dives of GDC and Develop: Brighton, to the spectacle of Gamescom and Summer Game Fest, there’s something for every kind of developer, publisher, and creator. Whether you’re there to learn, promote or connect, each game conference offers a window into what’s next for the industry.
