GDC Rebrands for 2026, Becomes the Festival of Gaming in San Francisco

A new era!

Image via Game Developer Conference
Saurabh Shetty
2 Min Read
  • GDC rebrands as Festival of Gaming with a citywide celebration in San Francisco.
  • Over 30,000 attendees expected with 1,000+ speakers and 725+ sessions.
  • New Festival Pass offers lower cost and more access for all participants.

The Game Developers Conference (GDC), one of the biggest events in the gaming world, is getting a fresh new identity. From March 9 to 13, 2026, the Moscone Center will host the newly rebranded GDC Festival of Gaming, welcoming more than 30,000 attendees from over 100 countries.

For over 30 years, GDC has been the place where developers, creators, and industry leaders have come together to celebrate gaming. Now, with the Festival of Gaming, the event promises to go beyond a traditional conference, turning into a week-long celebration.

The event will feature over 1,000 speakers, 725 sessions, and 400 exhibitors, making it one of the largest gatherings in the industry. Developers, publishers, investors, educators, and players will be part of events such as technical workshops, community celebrations and networking events.

Organizers say “we believe in miracles” as the shift reflects how games are made today. New technology, changing budgets, and the growing need for connection inspired the redesign. This also comes with a simplified process thanks to the Festival Pass, which will replace the old All Access pass, giving everyone more access at a lower cost.

Highlights of the week include the opening party, developer concert, awards nights, and new networking experiences. From indie developers to major studios, the event is designed to support every step of the game-making journey, from idea to launch.

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Just someone who loves soaking up the small joys in life, from gaming and catching sports highlights to laughing at memes and movies. Part time poet, full time gamer.
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