Games for Change Festival 2026 brings developers, educators, researchers, nonprofit leaders, funders, and social innovators together in New York City for two days focused on how games and interactive media can create positive real-world impact. The 23rd annual festival will take place at The Glasshouse on July 21–22, 2026.
The 2026 festival is built around the theme “Reimagining Play,” exploring how games, emerging technologies, communities, and new storytelling formats can support learning, collaboration, experimentation, and social change. Programming will include keynotes, panels, workshops, networking opportunities, interactive experiences, and discussions covering education, health, civic engagement, and social innovation.
The event also celebrates standout games and immersive projects through the annual Games for Change Awards, recognizing work designed to support learning, raise awareness, encourage action, or address social challenges. Attendees will have opportunities to discover impact-focused games, connect with creators and organizations, and learn how interactive entertainment is being used beyond traditional commercial gaming.
Games for Change Festival is primarily an in-person professional conference and festival rather than a consumer-focused gaming convention. Organizers have not announced a complete public livestream for the 2026 event, so anyone interested in attending or following specific sessions should monitor the official festival website for future programming and viewing announcements.
2026 Games for Change Festival | July 21-22 NYC
Join the global games for social impact community July 21-22, 2026, at The Glasshouse in NYC. Explore how play drives learning, builds community, and creates change.

Event details