Zagarolo Game City 2026: the acceleration program for startups and video game developers is back

The video game sector continues to represent one of the most dynamic areas of digital innovation, and in 2026 new opportunities await those who want to transform an idea into a market-ready product.

The Lazio Region and Lazio Innova have opened applications for Zagarolo Game City 2026, the acceleration program dedicated to informal teams, startups, and development studios operating in the world of gaming and interactive experiences.

A path to transforming ideas into products

The goal of the program is to accompany participants through all the most delicate phases of project development, from design to prototyping to the title's publication.

We're not just talking about traditional video games.
The initiative also looks at new forms of digital entertainment and hybrid experiences, including:

• video games;

• phygital experiences;

• transmedia projects;

• gamified experiences;

• immersive installations;

• Location-Based Experience (LBX);

• tabletop role-playing games integrated with digital tools.

An approach that reflects the evolution of the market, increasingly oriented towards interactive experiences that combine the physical and digital worlds.

What Zagarolo Game City offers

Selected participants will be able to access an acceleration program that provides:

• high-level specialized skills;

• technological and organizational support;

• technical and business mentoring;

• support in project development;

• opportunities for discussion with industrial partners and investors.

A distinctive element of the 2026 edition is the presence of technical partners selected through a specific Call for Partners.
Queste realtà contribuiranno con competenze, know-how, opportunità di collaborazione e "Micro Challenge", ovvero sfide progettuali ispirate ai trend emergenti dell'industria videoludica.

Who is the initiative aimed at

The program is aimed at entities with different levels of maturity:

• informal teams developing an idea;

• innovative startups;

• development studios already operating and wishing to accelerate the growth of their projects.

This openness makes Zagarolo Game City an interesting opportunity both for those who are just starting out and for those who wish to consolidate their presence in the gaming market.

An initiative supported by European funds

Zagarolo Game City is part of the project to strengthen the Active Spaces network financed through the PR Lazio FESR 2021-2027, with the aim of strengthening the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises and encouraging the creation of new job opportunities through innovation.

Application deadline

Applications must be submitted by 5:00 PM on July 31, 2026.

For startups, independent developers, and creative teams wishing to transform a prototype into a competitive product, the program represents an opportunity to access specialized skills, build relationships with the innovation ecosystem, and address the real needs of the market.

For more information and to apply, please visit the official page here