Global Game Jam returns in 2026 with record participation expected

Global Game Jam (GGJ) returns for its 17th edition from January 26 to February 1, 2026, connecting game developers, students, educators, and creatives from around the globe. The annual event challenges participants to form small teams and create games over a short, intensive period, inspired by a shared global theme.

Blending creativity, experimentation, and hands-on learning, GGJ provides an inclusive environment where newcomers and experienced developers alike can explore game design, coding, art, and storytelling. Participants are encouraged to collaborate, share ideas, and push the boundaries of innovation.

A worldwide collaboration like no other

Global Game Jam takes place simultaneously across hundreds of local sites in dozens of countries, making it the world’s largest game development event. Each year, tens of thousands of participants come together to create, collaborate, and learn through play. In 2026, GGJ will surpass 500,000 lifetime participants, highlighting the enduring impact of this global initiative.

In 2025 alone, the jam produced over 100,000 games, underscoring its creativity and reach. Annually, roughly 40,000 participants contribute across 800 sites in 100 countries, generating a platform where culture, experimentation, and skill-building intersect.

Fostering creativity, community, and career growth

At its core, Global Game Jam emphasizes learning by doing, rapid prototyping, and teamwork. The event brings together a wide range of participants, including aspiring and professional game developers, students, educators, artists, designers, musicians, writers, and technologists. First-time jammers with no prior experience are also encouraged to join.

GGJ also provides a measurable educational and professional impact. Participants develop problem-solving, teamwork, and creative thinking skills while exploring cultural expression through games. Many long-term projects and careers have emerged from jam-based collaborations, establishing GGJ as a springboard into the games industry and related creative fields.

“The Global Game Jam is a celebration of creativity, innovation, and community,” said GGJ Executive Director Maria Burns Ortiz. “Seeing tens of thousands of creators from over 100 countries come together around a shared theme demonstrates the power of games to connect people, even amid global uncertainty.”

The jam begins on January 26, 2026, following GGJ Prep Week from Jan. 19–23 and the Global Theme Reveal Event on Jan. 24–25. Participants can find full details and schedules on the official Global Game Jam website. The event is free to join, supported by industry partners including Epic Games, Games for Change, and Xsolla.