A conference for game design, strategy, narrative, and play.

Nov 6-8, 2026 · Berkeley, California

What is all this?

Games, designs, puzzles.

This convention is a conundrum, sent to confound you. It is a puzzle. A riddle. There will be game designers in nooks and alcoves, whispering their secrets to knowing audiences. You will be competing, but you may not know against whom. And, above all else, there will be games.

Still confused? Click here.

What's going on?

Schedule

The 2026 schedule is still coming together — for updates. Until then, here is the complete program from Metagame 2025: talks, workshops, games, and megagames across three days. Tap any session for details.

TalkWorkshopGameOtherKid-friendlyMegagame
The Park
Outdoors, behind B
Max 300
Eigen Hall
Building E, 1st floor
Max 40
The Clocktower
Building B, top floor
Max 35
The Gardens
Outdoors, behind E
Max 80
Central Courtyard
The center of campus
Max 200
Escape Room Zone
Building A, 2nd floor
Max 30
Playtesting Plaza
Building C
Max 60
Mind Mansion
Building B, 1st floor
Max 40
The Utility Room
Building A, 1st floor
Max 35
The Family Room
Building F
Max 30
2:00 PM
2:30 PM
3:00 PM
3:30 PM
4:00 PM
4:30 PM
5:00 PM
5:30 PM
6:00 PM
6:30 PM
7:00 PM
7:30 PM
8:00 PM
8:30 PM
9:00 PM
9:30 PM
10:00 PM

Who will I see?

Speakers

We’re still working out our 2026 lineup. Got a talk, a workshop, a game, or something that defies category? We’re accepting session proposals for 2026.

Propose a session

See last year's speakers

What of the children?

Children's Programming

Metagame welcomes your whole family! Childcare and activity for children will be available throughout the conference. Specifics to come later, but for now, you can take a look at some of what the kids got up to last year, below.

Last year in The Family Room

TalkWorkshopGameOtherKid-friendlyMegagame

FridaySep 12, 2025

SaturdaySep 13, 2025

SundaySep 14, 2025

What happens in the dark?

The Night Market

When the sun goes down, a market rises. Friday, November 6th, 7–10pm — open to all, ticketed or not. Come see what is sold in the dark.

Enter the Night Market

Want to keep up?

Join the mailing list

Get notified about ticket sales, updates, volunteer opportunities, and more.

Ready to play?

Tickets

Early-bird$425$325

But what about…

FAQ

What is Metagame?
To be frank with you, it is hard to describe. Metagame has many of the typical trappings of a board game convention: gaming spaces, designers talking about their projects, as well games requiring more organization, such as Blood on the Clocktower. But it's a little weirder, too.

Last year, the entire con was one large game. Players discovered their team by solving a puzzle on their swag, and spent three days competing against one another while still playing the other games.

Attendees who took the escape room design course created their own escape room from scratch and ran it.

A guest started a secret, second convention-wide game that staff only learned of in the closing hours. At one point, there were people knife-fighting with tasers.

Come see what happens in 2026.
Where will it be?
Lighthaven
2740 Telegraph Ave, Berkeley, CA 94705Map of the Lighthaven campus
Where can I stay?
Rooms will be available to book at the venue, Lighthaven. Want to know when they are available? 
When is Metagame?
It begins at 2pm Friday, Nov 6. It will run to 9:00pm, Nov 8.
What is the refund policy?
You may exchange your tickets for as much money as you paid for them until sunset in Berkeley on September 6th. After the sun has set, you must contact us.

Bitcoin is ethereal and complicated to refund.
What will I eat?
Snacks and beverages will be available for the taking. Food trucks will also be on-site with meals available for purchase.
Can I bring my kids?
There will be childcare and some children's programming available during the day! If you have particular questions or concerns feel free to reach out.

Wish to read more words? Email team@metagame.games and we shall respond.