Calling partners for GDC 2026!
From speedruns, to LEGO building, to movie screenings, to concerts in the park, and more! Here’s what you need to know about GDC’s search for new partnerships.
We heard you! The second annual Call For Partners pitch drive gives developers, game professionals, and industry organizations a platform to help shape the overall attendee experience at GDC through scholarship opportunities, on-site showcases & activations, partner events, and more.
Ahead of the extended October 10 submission deadline, Game Developer sat down with GDC event director Stephenie Hawkins to chat through this year's Call for Partners program, exploring the different ways the game development community can make their mark on GDC 2026, sharing tips on what makes a great collaboration pitch, and more.
Already have an idea in mind? Submit your pitch here!
What is different about GDC 2026?
Hawkins: GDC 2026 introduces the Festival of Gaming. This is more than a conference and expo floor. It's a platform for inspiration, learning, deal-making, and celebration! GDC 2026 will bring together everyone who makes games happen: developers, publishers, platforms, investors, toolmakers, marketers, educators, content creators, and more.
Be on the lookout for more experiences—daytime options throughout Moscone, nightly entertainment, curated meetings, a reimagined expo floor, and networking opportunities all over the city.
What is the Call for Partners?
Hawkins: We are in the thick of planning for GDC 2026…and we have many surprises in store for you. At this point in the planning process, we are looking for people and organizations that would like to collaborate with us in creating unique experiences for GDC Festival of Gaming. It could be anything from awarding scholarships for marginalized community members, to hosting an activation on the show floor, to organizing a meet-up. Our community is so creative, we want to help make your ideas become a reality. And we are happy to promote them, too!
The Call for Partners submission process aims to provide a transparent and realistic timeline for collaborators to work alongside the GDC team to bring their vision to life.
There are five different categories of partnerships covered by the Call for Partners:
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Media: Organizations covering, reporting on, or promoting video games and industry news.
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Scholarship: Groups interested in sharing GDC passes to amplify the work of game developers from marginalized communities.
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GDC Festival Activation: An event/experience that will take place within official GDC Festival spaces in coordination with GDC, during the day or in the evening.
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GDC Affiliate Program: An event/experience occurring outside of GDC Festival spaces that is promoted on GDC's website and adheres to certain health and safety requirements.
The deadline for submissions is October 10. The GDC team is reviewing submissions on a rolling basis and will respond to all submitters by November 19 at the latest.
Could You Elaborate on What are Festival Activations?
Hawkins: This is where you can have some fun! Festival Activations could be anything from community meetups in a unique setting, to your band performing between sessions, to bringing video arcade games to inspire networking, to screening a movie, to LEGO building competitions, to hosting a speedrun, to on-site exhibits with a giant playground. There is a lot of room for you to shape exactly what you want to bring to the show.
Image via Game Developers Conference.
Past examples of Festival Activations include spaces like the Video Game History Gallery, which was run through a collaboration with the Video Game History Foundation; tabletop sessions hosted by the Tabletop Game Designers Association; the Mentor Café from the International Game Developers Association; playtesting with Unpub; and demo derbies and an award space for the Game Audio Network Guild.
Tell us more about GDC Scholarships
Hawkins: Last year, GDC worked with 32 organizations who distributed over 700 passes to members of marginalized communities. This was a wonderful opportunity for community members to attend who otherwise might not be able to attend GDC without assistance. Some of the organizations we worked with were: AIAS Foundation, Black in Gaming Foundation, Game Audio Diversity Alliance, and The IGDA Foundation.
Learn more about past partners and the scholarship program here.
What is the GDC Affiliate Program?
Hawkins: This year we are launching a new type of partnership called the GDC Affiliate Program. This was born out of attendee feedback and the need to foster and support safe social experiences during the week of GDC.
Networking is one of the main reasons attendees come to GDC. We know that our community groups and sponsors host events throughout the week that are not an "official" part of the GDC experience. We would be happy to promote these off-site events as long as the events meet our safety criteria. We will be publishing more information about the GDC Affiliate Program and the safety criteria in the coming weeks.
What makes a good Call for Partners submission?
Hawkins: I would sum it up by asking– what would you like to attend/see the week of GDC? That is exactly what it is. We want to see your most creative ideas!
Please advocate for why your idea should become a reality. Please be as specific as possible about your idea (e.g. your goal; timeline; what you can provide; what you will need from the GDC team; and if you have done something similar in the past, an example would go a long way!)
Image via Game Developers Conference.
All ideas are welcome! The creativity from our community is next level! We want to know what you want to see, hear, or play during GDC week.
Are there other ways to get involved at GDC 2026?
Hawkins: Here are a few more ways to get involved:
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Submit an entry for the Independent Games Festival (IGF)
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Open until October 10.
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Link to submit: https://submit.igf.com/
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Become an IGF Judge or Juror
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Open until October 13.
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Link to submit: https://informa-tech.formstack.com/forms/igf2026_judgejury_application
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Submit your alternate controller game for alt.ctrl.GDC
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Open until November 20.
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Link to submit: https://forms.gle/P7guWYfxvzVEU7x18
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Submit your Pitch Now! Deadline is October 10.
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