Create, Collaborate, and Innovate—A 72-Hour Video Game Development Challenge.
February 19 - 22 • Red River College Polytech

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Winnipeg Game Jam 2026 is a full weekend of creativity and community. The event begins with The Festival, an evening that brings together creators, players, and artists for talks, live music, and hands-on demos. Next, during The Game Jam, participants spend 72 hours making small video games based on a shared theme. You can work alone or join a team at the event. No experience is needed. At the end of the weekend, everyone presents their work during The Showcase, where the community gathers to play games and celebrate the ideas created in just three days.

Info • Schedule • FAQs • Sponsors

  • Who

    Open to anyone, regardless of experience. It is a self-directed event, and people at all skill levels are welcome to take part.

  • What

    A multi-part event that includes the Festival, the Game Jam, and the Showcase, focused on creating and sharing games.

  • When

    February 19 to 22, 2026, with the Festival on Thursday, the Game Jam running Friday to Sunday, and the Showcase on Sunday.

  • Where

    Hosted at Red River College Polytech, Manitou a bi Bii daziigae, located at 319 Elgin Avenue in Winnipeg.

  • Why

    To bring Winnipeg’s game development community together to learn, collaborate, and create through making games.

Schedule

    • TBC | Doors Open

    • 5:30pm | Keynote

    • 6:00pm | PegJam Radio LIVE

    • 6:30pm | Intermission

    • 6:45pm | Speakers

    • 7:45pm | Closing Remarks

    • 8:00pm | Doors Close

    • 10:00am | Doors Open/Registration

    • TBD | Matchmaking Session

    • TBD | Workshop Session

    • 10:00pm | Doors Close

    • 10:00am | Doors Open/Registration

    • TBD | Matchmaking Session

    • TBD | Workshop Session

    • 10:00pm | Doors Close

    • 10:00am | Doors Open/Registration

    • TBD | Matchmaking Session

    • TBD | Workshop Session

    • 6:00pm | Showcase

    • 8:00pm | Doors Close

What is “The Festival”?

The Festival is the opening night of Winnipeg Game Jam 2026 and a celebration of creativity in Manitoba. Enjoy live music, engaging talks, local game demos, and the chance to connect with developers, artists, and players. The Festival sets the tone for the weekend and offers a welcoming space to learn, play, and get inspired.

What is “The Game Jam”?

"Jam" is a reference to musical jam sessions. Similarly, the goal of a "game jam" is to come together and make a video game or a non digital analog game like a board game or card game. The brief time span is meant to help encourage creative thinking which results in small but innovative and experimental games.

What is “The Showcase”?

The Showcase takes place at the end of the event, giving participants the chance to present the projects they have created during The Game Jam. Whether it is a game, concept art, music, or a prototype, the Showcase is where you can share your work with the community, receive feedback, and celebrate your progress.

Do I need to have a team? Can I work solo?

You do not need a team before the jam. You can participate solo or join others. If you are looking for teammates, a matchmaking session at the start of the event will help connect participants.

FAQs

Who can participate in “The Game Jam”?

Anyone and everyone is welcome. Experience is not necessary but a game jam does require some degree of self directed participation. Participants can include programmers, designers, artists, writers, musicians, or even knitters, gardeners, architects, and more. You can even work on a board game, which requires no code. To get the most out of the event we encourage all attendees to walk through some basic tutorials prior to the event.

Is this event in person or online?

Winnipeg Game Jam 2026 takes place in person at Red River College Polytech | Manitou a bi Bii daziigae. Participants may also join remotely or combine both using the Winnipeg Game Collective Discord: https://discord.gg/gamecollective. The Festival and Showcase will be streamed on Twitch: https://www.twitch.tv/winnipeggamecollective/.

Do I need to have a team? Can I work solo?

You can work either as a team or solo. If you are looking for a team or have a team and are looking for additional members, we will do our best to help match you up at the jam!

Sponsors

Gold

Flightyfelon Games is an up-and-coming video game studio founded in Winnipeg, led by wife & husband combo: Rebecca & Zachary Harrison.

Our studio's goal is to become a long-term part of the Canadian game development ecosystem, focusing on sustainable work practices and crafting unique, introspective experiences.

Freeride, our flagship game, is a Personality Test that plays like an Action-RPG.

More coming soon!

Industry Speakers

Enjoy a variety of engaging and knowledgeable speakers from our community and the wider industry! More info on speakers coming soon.

Festival Showcase

The Festival is an evening of speakers, live music, and game demos that brings together creators, players, and artists. Start the weekend with inspiration, conversation, and play. More info coming soon!

Event Partners