Japan's Largest Analog Game Event 'Game Market 2026 Spring' to be Held on May 23 (Sat) & 24 (Sun)!
Arclight Inc. will host 'Game Market 2026 Spring', Japan's largest analog game festival, at Makuhari Messe on May 23-24. The event will feature expanded play areas, international business matching, and an indie game collaboration.
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- 📰 Published: April 24, 2026 at 22:01
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Arclight Inc. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo) will hold Japan's largest analog game event, 'Game Market 2026 Spring', from May 23 (Sat) to 24 (Sun), 2026, at Makuhari Messe Halls 1-4.
The Analog Game Festival 'Game Market'
▼ What is an analog game?
An analog game is a general term for games that 'do not use electricity', including board games, card games, table games, TRPGs (Table Talk Role-Playing Games), TCGs (Trading Card Games), and murder mystery games. In addition to the fun of the games themselves, in recent years as digitalization progresses, they have been attracting attention as 'communication tools' to be enjoyed face-to-face.
▼ What is Game Market?
Game Market is a massive event where people of all ages and genders can enjoy analog games all day long. It has a history of over 25 years since its first event in 2000, and as its scale expands year by year, it achieved its first 30,000 attendees last autumn.
A major feature is that inside the event venue, you can not only purchase items but also watch stages and actually play games while receiving explanations on the spot. In the general booth area, the latest games produced by exhibitors gather in one place, while the corporate-led area booths are highly successful with grand production announcements, advance sales, and event-exclusive items.
▼ Click here for a look at the venue!
Highlights of this event!
▼ Evolving into an event where you can 'Play' even more!
For this event, the number of general exhibition booths where you can actually experience the games has significantly increased! We will provide a lively space that meets the expectations of visitors who say, 'I want to play before I buy.' Along with special booths like the 'Big Game Park' where you can have a unique event experience of playing with giant board games, and 'The World of Truly Interesting Eurogames' where you can play masterpieces recommended for board game beginners, we will deliver diverse gaming experiences.
Also implemented from this event, the introduction of a 'Layout by Exhibition Genre' for booths such as board games and TRPGs, and 'Dedicated Display Stickers' indicating the availability of playtests and booth numbers, makes it smoother to reach the works and creators you are looking for.
Please find your ultimate masterpiece at the further evolved Game Market.
Please check the exhibitor booth list and the map for the 2nd day from the link below.
https://gamemarket.jp/map
▼ Game Market Special Stage
We will deliver a packed schedule, including an unexpected crossover project connecting via broadcast with the venue of 'BitSummit', an indie game festival held in Kyoto on the same day, academic lectures on the theme of 'Board Games and Intellectual Property Rights' with the cooperation of the Agency for Cultural Affairs and the Japan Patent Office, and discussions on game design by overseas guests, which has now become an annual spring tradition.
For details, please view the URL below.
https://gamemarket.jp/booth/5140
▼ From Japan to the World! 60 Companies and Organizations from 10 Countries Gather
For the 'Overseas Business Participation System' implemented from Spring 2025, 15 global manufacturers and buyers—double the previous event—have announced their participation! Active business negotiations will take place as they seek out the cutting edge of Japanese board games, which are gaining attention worldwide. Additionally, as many as 45 organizations from outside Japan are exhibiting, forming a massive corner at the venue.
Event Overview
Name: Game Market 2026 Spring
Venue: Makuhari Messe Exhibition Halls 1, 2, 3, 4
Dates: May 23 (Sat) and 24 (Sun), 2026
Hours: May 23 (Sat) 11:00 - 18:00, May 24 (Sun) 11:00 - 17:00
Admission: 1,500 yen (tax included) / Free for high school students and under
* Tickets can also be purchased with cash at the counter on the day of the event, but an additional 500 yen (tax included) will be charged as a handling fee, so we recommend purchasing electronic tickets in advance even for the day of the event. (Same-day purchase of electronic tickets is by credit card payment only)
* For admission from 11:00 on Saturday the 23rd, the purchase of an 'Early 11:00 Admission Ticket (Sat)' for 3,000 yen (tax included) is required. Limited to 2,700 tickets, sold on a first-come, first-served basis exclusively through 'Ticket Pia'.
* From 12:00 PM on Saturday and 11:00 AM on Sunday, admission is free for high school students and younger upon presentation of a student ID, and free for elementary school students when accompanied by a guardian. However, during the early admission time period, separate tickets are required for the number of people. (Excluding preschoolers)
For event details, please refer to the official website ( https://www.gamemarket.jp/ ).
▼ How to Purchase Tickets
Electronic tickets will be available on 'eplus' and 'Ticket Pia' in April
The Analog Game Festival 'Game Market'
▼ What is an analog game?
An analog game is a general term for games that 'do not use electricity', including board games, card games, table games, TRPGs (Table Talk Role-Playing Games), TCGs (Trading Card Games), and murder mystery games. In addition to the fun of the games themselves, in recent years as digitalization progresses, they have been attracting attention as 'communication tools' to be enjoyed face-to-face.
▼ What is Game Market?
Game Market is a massive event where people of all ages and genders can enjoy analog games all day long. It has a history of over 25 years since its first event in 2000, and as its scale expands year by year, it achieved its first 30,000 attendees last autumn.
A major feature is that inside the event venue, you can not only purchase items but also watch stages and actually play games while receiving explanations on the spot. In the general booth area, the latest games produced by exhibitors gather in one place, while the corporate-led area booths are highly successful with grand production announcements, advance sales, and event-exclusive items.
▼ Click here for a look at the venue!
Highlights of this event!
▼ Evolving into an event where you can 'Play' even more!
For this event, the number of general exhibition booths where you can actually experience the games has significantly increased! We will provide a lively space that meets the expectations of visitors who say, 'I want to play before I buy.' Along with special booths like the 'Big Game Park' where you can have a unique event experience of playing with giant board games, and 'The World of Truly Interesting Eurogames' where you can play masterpieces recommended for board game beginners, we will deliver diverse gaming experiences.
Also implemented from this event, the introduction of a 'Layout by Exhibition Genre' for booths such as board games and TRPGs, and 'Dedicated Display Stickers' indicating the availability of playtests and booth numbers, makes it smoother to reach the works and creators you are looking for.
Please find your ultimate masterpiece at the further evolved Game Market.
Please check the exhibitor booth list and the map for the 2nd day from the link below.
https://gamemarket.jp/map
▼ Game Market Special Stage
We will deliver a packed schedule, including an unexpected crossover project connecting via broadcast with the venue of 'BitSummit', an indie game festival held in Kyoto on the same day, academic lectures on the theme of 'Board Games and Intellectual Property Rights' with the cooperation of the Agency for Cultural Affairs and the Japan Patent Office, and discussions on game design by overseas guests, which has now become an annual spring tradition.
For details, please view the URL below.
https://gamemarket.jp/booth/5140
▼ From Japan to the World! 60 Companies and Organizations from 10 Countries Gather
For the 'Overseas Business Participation System' implemented from Spring 2025, 15 global manufacturers and buyers—double the previous event—have announced their participation! Active business negotiations will take place as they seek out the cutting edge of Japanese board games, which are gaining attention worldwide. Additionally, as many as 45 organizations from outside Japan are exhibiting, forming a massive corner at the venue.
Event Overview
Name: Game Market 2026 Spring
Venue: Makuhari Messe Exhibition Halls 1, 2, 3, 4
Dates: May 23 (Sat) and 24 (Sun), 2026
Hours: May 23 (Sat) 11:00 - 18:00, May 24 (Sun) 11:00 - 17:00
Admission: 1,500 yen (tax included) / Free for high school students and under
* Tickets can also be purchased with cash at the counter on the day of the event, but an additional 500 yen (tax included) will be charged as a handling fee, so we recommend purchasing electronic tickets in advance even for the day of the event. (Same-day purchase of electronic tickets is by credit card payment only)
* For admission from 11:00 on Saturday the 23rd, the purchase of an 'Early 11:00 Admission Ticket (Sat)' for 3,000 yen (tax included) is required. Limited to 2,700 tickets, sold on a first-come, first-served basis exclusively through 'Ticket Pia'.
* From 12:00 PM on Saturday and 11:00 AM on Sunday, admission is free for high school students and younger upon presentation of a student ID, and free for elementary school students when accompanied by a guardian. However, during the early admission time period, separate tickets are required for the number of people. (Excluding preschoolers)
For event details, please refer to the official website ( https://www.gamemarket.jp/ ).
▼ How to Purchase Tickets
Electronic tickets will be available on 'eplus' and 'Ticket Pia' in April