Overview
- Taking place March 9–13, 2026 in and around San Francisco’s Moscone Center, the industry-only event keeps its base in the city.
- The new Festival Pass starts at $649—about 45% less than last year’s All-Access—and grants equal access to sessions, networking programs, and the Festival Hall.
- A premium Game Changer tier adds GamePlan facilitated meetings and an executive Luminaries Speaker Series at the Blue Shield of California Theater, with early pricing reported between $1,499 and $1,699 and GDC Vault access included.
- A $799 Digital Pass offers online-only networking during the show and on-demand access to GDC Vault content afterward.
- Organizers introduce a unified five-day content program and an expo split into five themed neighborhoods, with application-based discounts of up to $200 for early-stage indies, start-ups, and academics.