Are you a mobile gaming professional attending GDC 2026?
While the conference is packed with learning opportunities and networking sessions, there’s more to explore “beyond the booth”. Afterparties and networking events are a great chance to meet people from the industry, have insightful discussions, and unwind after a busy day.
Since GDC is a major event, there are dozens of networking events surrounding it.
So many options can be overwhelming.
To help you decide, we’ve hand-picked the most interesting events for mobile game industry professionals.
Let’s dive in!
Courage XL 2026 – Indie Showcase & GDC Pre-Party
Get ready for the ultimate indie games showcase happening just before GDC officially begins!
Courage XL spotlights incredible indie games from around the globe, with a focus on creativity, innovation, and representation. Discover carefully curated games, meet the developers behind them, and network with industry professionals in a casual, inspiring atmosphere.
Whether you’re an indie developer, game enthusiast, or GDC attendee, this is a must-attend event to kick off the week.
When: Sunday, March 8th, 7:00 PM – 11:30 PM
Where: The Great Northern, 119 Utah Street, San Francisco
Cost: Free (limited tickets) or $62 for the VIP ticket
Register: Here
MeetToMatch – The San Francisco Edition 2026
Looking to meet publishers, investors, and developers during GDC? MeetToMatch is the largest matchmaking service in the games industry.
With nearly 2,000 participants in 2025 and over 6,800 confirmed meetings, this event helps you connect with the right people from game companies worldwide.
When: Monday, March 9th, 9:00 AM – Friday, March 13th, 3:00 PM
Where: Moscone Center, San Francisco
Organized by: MeetToMatch, powered by Xsolla
Cost: Free
Register: Here
State of Gaming Summit SF
Join other 150 gaming leaders to discuss the future of the industry.
At the end of the panel, a happy hour and a dinner await!
When: Monday, March 9th, 2 PM – 9 PM
Where: Roka Akor, 801 Montgomery St, San Francisco
Organized by: Sensor Tower, Singular, Mistplay, Deconstructor of Fun
Cost: Free
Register: Here
GDC Festival of Gaming Executive Reception
Hosted in an elegant rooftop venue, this is an exclusive networking dinner for industry professionals.
You have the chance to meet and connect with peer leaders in an intimate gathering, outside the busy conference halls.
When: Monday, March 9th, 5.30 PM – 7.30 PM
Where: B San Francisco, 720 Howard St, San Francisco
Organized by: EPAM, AWS, Databricks, Stripe, Arm and Epic Games
Cost: Free
Register: Here
Celebrating Women in Games
A panel to discuss the role of women in the industry, and how new trends are shaping games today.
After the panel, there will be a happy hour and networking session.
When: Monday, March 9th, 6 PM – 9 PM
Where: City View at Metreon, 135 4th Street, San Francisco
Organized by: AWS, Luna, Wigi, Nvidia
Cost: Free
Register: Here
GDC NIGHTS: Opening Night at the Ballpark
Start your GDC week with a stadium-sized celebration! This opening night event welcomes the entire B2B games ecosystem to the ballpark for an unforgettable evening.
The whole experience comes to life with dynamic stadium-wide lighting effects that transform the venue.
Best part? It’s included with your GDC pass.
When: Monday, March 9th, 6:30 PM
Where: Ballpark (venue details on GDC website)
Organized by: GDC
Cost: Included with GDC pass
More info: Here
The Living Room
Aarki is hosting The Living Room, a week of invite-only experiences at premium venues where gaming leaders can gather and network.
- Monday, March 9th: an intimate dinner where you’ll get a first look at what’s being unveiled at GDC.
- Tuesday, March 10th (11 AM – 1 PM), join Aarki, AppsFlyer, and Skillz for a Mobile Founders & Builders Brunch.
- Wednesday (11 AM – 3 PM) for The Living Room Reset and Bubbles & Caviar (4 PM – 6 PM), a happy hour where gaming experts enjoy champagne and caviar together.
- Wednesday evening: the Mobile Leaders Table dinner.
When: Various times throughout the week (see above)
Where: Locations are shared after registration
Organized by: Aarki
Cost: Free
Register: Here
Pocket Gamer Party
If you want to kick off the first day of GDC 2024 with a night of partying, this is the place to be.
This Pocket Gamer party will gather game developers, publishers, and other industry professionals for a night of drinks and dancing.
If you want to join the fun, request your free ticket on time.
When: Monday, March 9th, 8:30 PM
Where: 715 Harrison, San Francisco
Organized by: Pocket Gamer
Cost: Free
Register: Here
Run Time: GDC – 5km Social Run
Want to kick off your conference day with some fresh air and networking? Join this casual 5K run along the San Francisco Boardwalk.
After the run, grab a coffee and connect with fellow runners.
The organizers support SpecialEffect, a charity that helps disabled players enjoy games through hardware adaptations and accessible tech. Donations are welcome but not required.
When: Tuesday, March 10th, 7:00 AM
Where: 1 Ferry Building, San Francisco
Cost: Free
Register: Here
GamesBeat Crossfire at GDC
Looking for honest debates about the forces reshaping the gaming industry?
GamesBeat Crossfire brings together industry leaders to discuss power shifts, AI’s influence on development, subscription economics, and the future of mid-tier studios.
This event is designed for executives, creators, and decision-makers who want genuine perspectives and meaningful connections.
Note: Capacity is limited! For guaranteed entry, sign up for GB MAX starting at $299.
When: Tuesday, March 10th, 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Where: Location is shared after registration
Organized by: GamesBeat
Cost: Free (capacity limited) or GB MAX pass ($299+)
Register: Here
LiveOps Meetup @GDC26
Working on live service games? This meetup is your chance to connect with other professionals tackling the complexities of ongoing game delivery.
Compare notes on optimization, strategic challenges, and best practices with people who understand the unique demands of live operations. Share success stories and learn from others’ experiences.
This event is part of the Community Clubhouse, an official GDC Festival of Games partner. You’ll need a GDC pass to attend.
When: Tuesday, March 10th, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Where: Moscone Center, San Francisco
Cost: Requires GDC pass
Register: Here
GDC NIGHTS: Developer’s Concert
Experience the soundtrack of the gaming industry performed live on stage.
Composer Austin Wintory returns to lead the San Francisco Conservatory of Music in an evening celebrating the artistry of game audio. Expect masterful performances, special guests, and a few surprises along the way.
This event is included with your GDC pass.
When: Tuesday, March 10th, 6:30 PM
Where: Venue details on GDC website
Organized by: GDC
Cost: Included with GDC pass
More info: Here
2026 Indie Arcade Party with Unity, VIVERSE & Genies
This is the biggest indie arcade party of GDC week, and it’s open to everyone!
SF Game Development is hosting their 5th annual event at the iconic DNA Lounge, featuring over 35 indie game demos, 8 tech talks from industry leaders, and video game-themed music for dancing.
With four massive rooms of content, this is the perfect place to discover new games, expand your network, and celebrate the indie dev community.
When: Tuesday, March 10th, 7:30 PM – Late
Where: DNA Lounge, 375 11th St, San Francisco
Organized by: SF Game Development
Cost: Free
Register: Here
Google’s Future of Web Gaming Summit 2026
For the second year, Google is hosting a full-day event dedicated to web gaming, to explore the future of the industry.
There will be discussions on several topics, such as monetization, cloud technologies, and other opportunities and challenges in the gaming industry.
When: Wednesday, March 11th
Where: Shared after registration
Organized by: Google
Cost: Free
Register: Here
GDC NIGHTS: Independent Games Festival Awards
Celebrate the year’s most inventive indie games at this awards ceremony.
After the ceremony, head to the IGF Pavilion on the Festival Hall floor to meet the makers and play their award-winning games.
Included with your GDC pass.
When: Wednesday, March 11th, 6:30 PM
Where: Venue details on GDC website
Organized by: GDC
Cost: Included with GDC pass
More info: Here
GDC NIGHTS: Game Developers Choice Awards (GDCA)
Join the people who are changing the game at this peer-recognized celebration.
The GDCA honors the year’s defining achievements across Game of the Year, design, narrative, visual art, audio, and innovation. It’s a gathering of the makers who are setting tomorrow’s standards in game development.
Included with your GDC pass.
When: Thursday, March 12th, 6:30 PM
Where: Venue details on GDC website
Organized by: GDC
Cost: Included with GDC pass
More info: Here
We’re Coming — Let’s Connect!
The MAF team regularly attends GDC San Francisco and this year is no exception. Our Publisher Sales Manager, Kevin Woodford, will be there, so feel free to reach out to talk about advertising and monetization opportunities for your game business!
