Unreal Fest Chicago 2026

Unreal Fest Chicago 2026 is officially upon us: from June 16 to 18, 2026, the city will host the edition of this event dedicated to the global community of developers, artists and creators based on Unreal Engine.

What is Unreal Fest?

Unreal Fest is the flagship conference of Epic Games dedicated to the world of Unreal Engine, UEFN (Unreal Editor for Fortnite) and the entire Epic ecosystem. For three days, attendees will be able to:

• Discover the latest technical and creative innovations of the #@=#=@# engine

• Participate in sessions and workshops with international speakers

• Explore theexpo floor with demos, tech showcases and innovative tools

• Socialize with professionals from every sector (games, cinema, simulation, virtual production)

• Attend the highlight: State of Unreal, the main conference with official announcements and technology roadmaps on site.

Location & Atmosphere

The event will take place at the McCormick Place Convention Center, Lakeside Center, one of the most iconic convention centers in Chicago.
With spaces designed for learning, networking, and innovation, Unreal Fest offers a complete experience for anyone working or growing with Unreal Engine.

Program and main activities

The three-day conference includes:

• June 16: official opening, registration and welcome party

• June 17: State of Unreal, technical talks, demos and meetings with Epic experts

• June 18: thematic sessions and workshops, expo and Unreal Fest Party to close the event in style

In addition to the technical talks and official presentations, Unreal Fest is also a place of inspiration: you can play games made with Unreal Engine or UEFN, participate in workshops, and visit areas such as the Dev Hub, where Epic developers offer support and practical advice.

Tickets: Prices and Early Bird

Epic Games has already opened ticket sales, with early bird discounts available for a limited time:

• Super-early bird: $549

• Early bird: $649

• Full price: $749

• Students: $499 (with school email)

Speaker Opportunities

If you have an innovative project or want to share your knowledge with the community, calls for proposals are open until January 22, 2026. It doesn't matter if your idea is still in its infancy: Epic also encourages submissions in concept or outline form.
Selected speakers receive:

• Free admission to the conference

• Access to the exhibition areas, networking, and official parties

• Free hotel stay (subject to terms)

This is a golden opportunity to make yourself known in the international Unreal creative scene and connect with high-level professionals.

Why participate?

Unreal Fest Chicago is a hub for professional growth and a meeting point for those who live in virtual, real-time, and interactive worlds.
Whether you're a developer, VFX artist, filmmaker, or educator, here you'll find ideas, connections, and tools to push your projects beyond boundaries.

Save the Dates: June 16–18, 2026 in Chicago. Unreal Fest awaits you!

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the official event page here