The GDC Festival of Gaming 2026 experienced a 30% decline in attendance, drawing 20,000 visitors.

The GDC Festival of Gaming experienced a 30% drop in attendance this year, bringing the number of visitors to 20,000. This turnout represents the smallest since 2011, excluding a dip that occurred when the event resumed post-COVID, an occasion that saw 19,000 attendees at Moscone Center in San Francisco.

Attendance figures improved to 28,000 in 2023 and achieved a new high in 2024 by surpassing 30,000, a record that was sustained last year.

The lower numbers have been linked to complaints regarding travel expenses and concerns from international visitors due to strict US immigration policies. According to sources, some companies that either reduced participation or abstained altogether allocated their resources to different events like Develop Brighton and Tokyo Game Show.

This year's conference, introducing the newly branded GDC Festival of Gaming, featured more than 700 sessions presented by 1,100 speakers, in addition to over 300 exhibitors.

Nina Brown, GDC president, remarked on the new format's inaugural year, saying, "We are thrilled that 20,000 unique attendees from over 85 countries joined us, validating this evolution." She highlighted the energetic atmosphere of the festival, filled with well-attended sessions and a dynamic show floor, emphasizing the importance of industry collaboration.

Brown stated, "This transformation originated from community feedback, and we are excited to develop and enhance the GDC Festival of Gaming, aiming towards 2027 with continued community insights."

The GDC Festival of Gaming is scheduled to return next year, taking place from March 1 to March 5 at Moscone Center in San Francisco.