Barras Art & Design Centre, Glasgow, July 11th & 12th 2026
The beautiful Glasgow Indie Games Fest (GIGF) has officially announced its return for 2026, with tickets now on sale for the two-day celebration of independent development. Alongside the ticket launch, the Glasgow Independent Games Group, has issued an open call for speakers and exhibitors to showcase the best of the local and national indie games scene.
Since its inception, the festival has carved out a unique space in the Scottish calendar, focusing specifically on the creativity and talent of independent developers, creators, students, and micro-studios. The 2026 edition promises to build on this reputation, providing a platform for networking, knowledge sharing, public playtesting, and FUN live in the heart of the city.
GIGF 2026 is offering an eclectic programme across the 11th & 12th of July:
- Game Showcases: Discover projects from emerging and established indie developers.
- Talks, Panels and Workshops: Engage in discussions with veteran voices in the UK games industry, and upcomers sharing stories and tips for creating your own fantastic games.
- Art Performances: From videogames based poetry to live covers of video game soundtracks.
A Platform for Local Talent
The call for speakers is now live, with the festival looking for a diverse range of voices to lead 20-minute speaking sessions or 45-minute workshops.
In addition to the speaking tracks, the exhibition floor is open for applications. This provides a vital opportunity for studios to get their games in front of a live audience, gather essential feedback, and build a community before launch. For many Scottish indies, GIGF serves as the first public outing for a new project, making the exhibitor call a key date in the development cycle.
James McDonnell, Co-Director of GIGG Team Told SGN:
The indie space has never been so kaleidoscopically rich, but still most people are only exposed to the wildly lucrative edge cases. We’re trying to showcase the game designers who have resisted the rampant commercialisation of game culture and let themselves see the medium as more than just a product. The indie space should be where we throw paint at the wall and try things the larger companies can’t touch because of ‘market demands’. It’s never been easier to start making games, the hope of the festival is that someone will come away thinking ‘hey-maybe i could make a game!’”
Fergus Coyne, Co-Director of GIGG, added:
There is no better place to be than the Glasgow Indie Games Festival. This is the home for the weird, the outrageous and utterly unique. A place to bring together the community and the industry under one roof for an unforgettable weekend to celebrate indie games. With the rise of Generative Artificial Intelligence, it’s essential and important that the festival stands as a strong example of human-made creativity and effort. Never before seen games, talks from the experts and the artistes of development and extraordinary performances from musicians and poets alike – There is no other festival in the world like the GIGF.”
Tickets and Registration
General admission tickets are now available, with early-bird pricing for those who register before the full schedule is announced. Given the festival’s focus on accessibility, the organisers have maintained a low-cost entry model to ensure that students and early-career developers can participate.
Potential speakers and exhibitors are encouraged to submit their proposals via the official website. The deadline for applications is approaching quickly, as the team looks to finalise a line-up that reflects the full breadth of the Scottish independent sector.
To get your tickets and to apply as a speaker or exhibitor, visit: glasgowindiegamesfest.org
Follow GIGF for updates: Glasgow Indie Games Fest on Bluesky.
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