SAGA Barcelona Game Fest has revealed the first major details of its 2026 edition, confirming Japan as the official guest country and announcing an expanded international program featuring legendary video game composers Manami Matsumae and Miki Higashino. The festival has also revealed a new visual identity created by Conrad Roset, creative director of Nomada Studio, as preparations continue for its largest event yet.
Taking place from October 9 to 11, 2026, at Fira de Barcelona’s Montjuïc venue, the festival will occupy more than 14,000 square meters, offering nearly 500 playable gaming stations, over 80 scheduled activities, and an expected attendance of more than 20,000 visitors. Organizers aim to establish SAGA Barcelona Game Fest as one of Southern Europe’s premier gatherings for gamers, developers, publishers, educators, and industry professionals.
Legendary Japanese composers headline the international program
The 2026 edition places a strong spotlight on Japan, welcoming Manami Matsumae, best known as the original composer of Mega Man, alongside Miki Higashino, whose music helped define Konami’s beloved Suikoden series. Both composers will participate as featured speakers during the festival, giving attendees the opportunity to hear directly from two influential figures in video game music.
Joining them is French game designer Géraud Zucchini, also known as Doc Geraud. After contributing to Ubisoft franchises including Assassin’s Creed, Mario + Rabbids, and Starlink, Zucchini found indie success with Sol Cesto, which surpassed 100,000 copies sold within its first four days and later earned a nomination at the Pégases 2026 awards for Best Independent Game and Best Design.
The festival is also expanding its international reach through delegations from Japan and Portugal, while strengthening ties with Asia via a new collaboration with ChinaJoy. As part of the partnership, five games selected by SAGA Barcelona Game Fest are currently being showcased at China’s leading gaming exhibition.
Visitors can expect a broad mix of gaming experiences ranging from retro classics and modern releases to virtual reality, simulation, esports, workshops, competitions, and live stage presentations. A new family area has also been introduced to encourage players of all ages to discover games together.
The cultural exhibition includes the Video Game Museum of Catalonia (MUVIC), featuring guided tours through gaming history, alongside Tokyo’s Famicase Collection, showcasing 250 artist-designed game cartridges. Additional attractions include the experimental Glitch Collection and the IndieDevDay Awards, which recognize standout independent games presented during the event.
Business networking remains a major focus
Beyond public exhibitions, organizers are expanding the event’s professional networking opportunities. The business area is expected to facilitate more than 1,200 meetings between studios, publishers, investors, and other industry professionals. Universities and specialized game development schools will also showcase student projects while connecting future talent with employers.
Confirmed participating companies include The Behemoth, Devolver Digital, and Super Rare Games, while professionals associated with studios such as Larian Studios and Gameloft will also appear throughout the event.
“SAGA Barcelona Game Fest is taking a major step forward,”
said Raquel Torreño, a representative of the festival.
“This new space allows us to grow, introduce new formats and turn the festival into a meeting point for the entire video game community.”
Festival representative Carles Garcia added,
“We want the festival to be a meeting point where creators, studios, publishers, investors, educational institutions and professionals can generate new opportunities and help the video game ecosystem grow.”
The 2026 edition combines the strengths of BCN Game Fest, RetroBarcelona, and SAGA Saló del Gaming, bringing together three established initiatives under one banner as organizers pursue long-term international growth.
