The organizers of Tokyo Game Show held a press conference to kick off the ramp-up to the 2026 edition of the popular gaming trade show.
The theme for this year is “The Longest Five Days of Nonstop Play,” which reflects the fact that the duration has been extended from four days to five days.
The theme of Tokyo Game Show 2026 is explained as follows:
“TOKYO GAME SHOW moves to a new stage this year. Where games and people from around the world gather, TGS has connected people across ages and borders to play, engage, and envision the future. In 2026, the stage expands to a record-breaking 5 days. With an increased volume of play and scaled-up passion, The SHOW to fully experience the world of games begins.”
This edition is indeed rather special, not only for the duration, but also because it celebrates the 30th anniversary of the show. That’s reflected in the official logo that you can see below, sent to Simulation Daily via press release.
Specifically, the show will run from Thursday, September 17, to Monday, September 21.
The first two days of Tokyo Game Show 2026 will be business days reserved for media and industry visitors. The remaining three days will be dedicated to the public, taking advantage of the fact that September 21 is a public holiday in Japan (Respect-for-the-Aged Day).
The physical venue will be the usual Makuhari Messe in Chiba, near Tokyo. Of course, the show is described as hybrid, because there will be plenty of events online.
Today also marks the opening of applications for exhibitors, with the following calendar.
- Application deadline for 42 or more booths: May 8, 2026 (Fri)
- *Exhibitors with 140 or more booths must contact the secretariat by April 30, 2026 (Thu).
- Application deadline for fewer than 42 booths: May 22, 2026 (Fri)
- Booth location selection meeting for 42 or more booths: June 9, 2026 (Tue)
- Booth location selection meeting for 16 to 41 booths: June 22, 2026 (Mon)
- Official program and event stage exhibitor briefing (Online): June 30, 2026 (Tue)
- Booth location selection meeting and exhibitor briefing for fewer than 16 booths: July 8, 2026 (Wed)
- Selection meeting for official program slots and event stage slots (at the briefingvenue): July 8, 2026 (Wed)
Indie developers have an additional opportunity to exhibit at Tokyo Game Show 2026 at no cost with applications that also opened today.
Specifically, 80 indie developers will be given this opportunity, and those who are interested should apply via the official “Selected Indie 80” website.
To apply, a company needs to have less than $500,000 jn annual sales, or less than $100,000 for individual developers. Companies also need to be completely independent in terms of capital.
Their games need to be completely original in terms of IP. They need to comply with the CESA and CERO Codes of Ethics. (and not rated CERO Z, Mature, or 17+ or having content that would put them in these ratings), and the developer needs to have a license to develop on the chosen platforms.
On top of that, applications for potential sponsors who want to support indie initiatives at Tokyo Game Show 2026 also opened today.
