The Nordic Game Community Shines at NG26
Several thousand game developers from the Nordic region and beyond gathered in Malmö, Sweden, for the 2026 edition of Nordic Game. Held from 26-29 May at the historic Slagthuset venue in the heart of the city, NG26 exceeded expectations and reinforced its position as one of Europe’s most beloved game industry events.
Often praised for its welcoming atmosphere, strong indie and AA focus, and high-quality content, this year’s conference lived up to its reputation, thanks in large part to its dedicated and loyal community.
Jacob Riis, Program Director at Nordic Game, reflects on the week:
“It was an incredible week. The community has grown so much, and it’s fantastic to see the global industry showing such strong interest in joining us in Malmö. Ultimately, it’s all about the thousands of passionate people who gather here – attending the conference as well as organising great side events in partnership with us. Together, we’ve created what many have started calling ‘the Nordic Game week’.”
Record International Turnout
Well over 1,100 companies attended NG26, representing 59 countries. That’s more nations than will compete in the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup. On the Expo floor, more than 100 new games from indie and emerging studios were on display, filling the halls with great energy and a unique sense of togetherness across borders.
Standout Speaker Program
This year, a total of 179 speakers shared their knowledge and experience across five stages. From local stars such as the Embark team behind ARC Raiders to global success stories like Jennifer Svedberg-Yen (Clair Obscur: Expedition 33), the program covered many of the industry’s most relevant and timely topics.
The main stage sessions were streamed live on YouTube, Twitch, and Steam, attracting over 150,000 unique viewers. The first five talks have already been released on the Nordic Game YouTube channel, with the opening talk by Danish composer legend Jesper Kyd as a standout highlight.
Record-Breaking Business Meetings
It would be a huge understatement to call the business hall at NG26 busy. Powered by the Games Industry Network (GIN) meeting system, the area saw a new all-time high with more than 5,600 scheduled business meetings taking place during the conference.
A Night to Remember: Nordic Game Awards 2026
On Thursday 28 May, the Nordic Game Awards 2026 took centre stage as the only awards show in the world dedicated exclusively to Nordic game development. Hosted by Danish actor Magnus Bruun, the evening celebrated excellence across the region.
The winners of the 2026 Nordic Game Awards are:
- Nordic Game of the Year: ARC Raiders, Embark Studios (Sweden)
- Best Art: The Midnight Walk, MoonHood (Sweden)
- Best Game Design: Split Fiction, Hazelight Studios (Sweden)
- Best Technology: ARC Raiders, Embark Studios (Sweden)
- Best Audio: ARC Raiders, Embark Studios (Sweden)
- Best Fun for Everyone: LEGO® Voyagers, Light Brick Studio (Denmark)
- Best Debut: Discounty, Crinkle Cut Games (Denmark)
Congratulations to all the winners!
See You Next Year
With the success of NG26, Nordic Game continues to serve as a cornerstone of the Nordic games industry – one of the world’s most vibrant and creative game development communities.
Preparations for Nordic Game 2027 (25-28 May 2027) have already begun. A big and heartfelt thank you to all speakers, sponsors, partners, volunteers, and especially to every visitor. You are the reason Nordic Game exists – you are all part of the Nordic Game family.
See you back in Malmö next year!
About the Nordic Game conference
Nordic Game is the leading games conference in Europe. Gathering thousands of industry professionals in the spring each year, Nordic Game is the one and only “home turf” meeting place for the highly successful game developers of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.
Subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest Nordic Game news, including updates about all our special offers.
Follow Nordic Game on Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, Flickr, X, BlueSky and Instagram.
