Global Game Jam 2026 @ George Mason University

To participate, sign up on IDGA DC's 2026 Global Game Jam page

IGDA DC is hosting an in-person global game jam site at George Mason University! This site is in-person only, but is open to anyone, not just George Mason students. We will have volunteer faculty from George Mason University if you want a little bit of help on making your games, and we are open to game developers of all skill levels.

Planned Schedule:
Friday:
5:00 PM - Jammers arrive (Johnson Center Bistro)
5:30 PM-6:00 PM - Pre-jam Talks TBD
5:30-5:45 - Darian Stigall - related to creative play in game development
6:00 PM - Jam Introduction + Keynote/Theme Reveal
6:30 PM - Brainstorm and team forming
7:30 PM - Dinner
10:00 PM - Site closes

Saturday:
9:00 AM - Site opens (Dewberry Hall South)
5:00 PM - Halfway point check-in & optional progress presentations
10:00 PM - Site closes

Sunday:
9:00 AM - Site opens (Johnson Center Bistro)
4:00 PM - Submit games to GGJ site + Presentations
6:00 PM - Site Closes

Getting there:
DRIVING
Paid parking is available on campus in the visitor garages at a cost of $11.50 per day.
JOHNSON CENTER: Closest parking deck is the Mason Pond Parking Deck: 4500 Aquia Creek Ln, Fairfax, VA 22030
LOT K parking: A longer walk, but usually free on weekends
Other George Mason Parking Information: https://transportation.gmu.edu/parking/#Visitors

PUBLIC TRANSIT
You can take the Orange line metro to the Vienna metro station, and the Gold1, Gold2, Green1, or Green2 buses to get to campus: https://www.fairfaxva.gov/government/public-works/transportation-division/cue-bus-system/cue-bus-map-and-schedule

Food Options:
There are lots of food options on campus: https://content-service.sodexomyway.com/media/HOO%20Fall%202023%20%20%282%29_tcm1097-150428.pdf?url=https://masondining.sodexomyway.com/
If you don't want to have to go too far from the jam site or are worried about getting lost wandering around campus, you can order food using the Starship Robots available on campus which will deliver to the jam site: https://get.starshipdeliveries.com/u/patriots
JOHNSON CENTER: Has Starbucks, Chipotle, Panera, and more

Tech:
You will need to bring your own computer equipment. We will provide outlets and surge protectors.

Internet:
> Guest Wifi is available: connect to MASON. Full details on how to get wifi available here: https://its.gmu.edu/knowledge-base/guestwifi/
> We strongly recommend that you download any programs like game engines you intend to use in advance, so you don't have to be dependent on guest wifi speeds for those large downloads