The countdown to Global Game Jam 2026 has begun.

It’s OFFICIAL: The countdown to Global Game Jam 2026 has begun. Site registration is now open!

Richard  Hebblewhite. Image credit: BAFTA/Maxine Howells/GuruLiveCymru

To register your site, just go to www.globalgamejam.org and click on the “Host a Jam Site” Button.

That’s not all when it comes to GGJ 2026.

We’re also looking for nominees for the GGJ 2026 Keynote Speaker! Do you know a great presenter and industry leader who embodies the mission of GGJ? Nominate them to give our global keynote. Submit your speaker nomination here.

Got great ideas for a GGJ 2026 Diversifier? Share your diversifier suggestions here! Each year, GGJ sources ideas for diversifiers (a free-for-all voluntary list of secondary constraints) that jammers can use in addition to the jam theme when creating their games. Need some inspiration? You can view past years’ lists here.

The GDC Festival of Gaming, the new and improved GDC, will be taking place in San Francisco from March 9-16, 2026. We’re excited to announce that this year we’re opening our GDC-GGJ Scholarship program earlier than past years as we know that lead time for booking travel and securing visas is necessary for many of our community members. Applications will be open until Nov. 30.

In our selection process, we prioritize previous GGJ participation, particularly past volunteering, as well as attention to inclusiveness and serving underrepresented game devs. We encourage applicants from around the world to submit; however, please note that the scholarship does not cover travel costs.

Apply for the GGJ – GDC Festival of Gaming Scholarship today!

In January, GGJ had the opportunity to support the work and amplify the message of the UN World Food Programme. Through our Games for Change partnership, as part of the the GGJ Next – G4C Student Challenge Jam, including the 2025 Global Game Jam “Outplay Hunger” diversifier, we engaged jammers in creating games that encouraged players to reduce food loss and waste. We’re excited to be partnering again with G4C and supporting WFP through gaming again ahead of GGJ 2026 through GGJ Next and the G4C-GGJ Next-Gen Expert Jam initiative. While we’ll have more about that in our next newsletter, but we wanted to spotlight the incredible work WFP is doing right now.

Xsolla Upcoming Webinars

Xsolla is also offering expert-led sessions focused on helping developers launch smarter, build loyalty, and drive sustainable revenue—all without added complexity.

GGJ Community Partner Arabic Games Conference (AGC) is back for its 4th edition, and this year it’s happening online on November 29. The virtual event is completely free to attend. AGC is the largest gathering of Arab game creators, bringing together experts from studios like Ubisoft, Epic Games, Romero Games, and more. It’s a unique chance to hear inspiring talks in Arabic from industry leaders and creative directors, build your foundation through portfolio and CV review sessions, get one-on-one guidance in mentorship and “Chat with a Pro” sessions, learn how publishers evaluate games through live feedback on pitch decks and showcase your work and celebrate creativity at the Arabic Games Awards. Whether you’re in design, programming, art, or storytelling, AGC is a space where you can connect with professionals, discover how the industry works, and see how others from the region are making their mark. Register now for free at arabic.games/conference and secure your spot. Once registered, you’ll also be able to sign up for the activities that interest you most.

GGJ Community Partner GAMERella is a pioneering initiative in the gaming world known for its game jam, workshop series, and long-term mentorship program. Their primary objective is to democratize the field of game development by making it accessible and inclusive, particularly for women (cis/trans) and equity-deserving individuals who are systemically underrepresented and underrecognized in this domain.