The 10th Annual USC Games Expo is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, offering a free public showcase of student-developed projects. The event, hosted on the USC campus in Los Angeles, will feature a comprehensive exhibition of over 60 student-created games from the university’s top-ranked game design program. This annual showcase serves as a key platform for graduating and current students to present their interactive work to the public, industry professionals, and potential collaborators.
A significant addition for this year’s anniversary event is a keynote panel featuring two notable industry figures. Confirmed speakers include John Riccitiello, former CEO of Unity Technologies and Electronic Arts, and Frank D. Gibeau, President of Zynga. The panel is scheduled to discuss relevant developments and perspectives on the future of the game industry.
The structured, day-long event begins with the USC Esports Showcase, running from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM PST in the Pickford Lobby. This competition segment will host Valorant, Marvel Rivals, and League of Legends matches. The participating roster includes teams from the University of Southern California, San Diego State University, Cal Poly SLO, UC Riverside, and Santa Monica College, among others. This element highlights the intersection of game design education and competitive play.
A dedicated segment for high-profile projects, the Advanced Games Project (AGP) Spotlight Show, is set to highlight ten standout titles chosen from the exhibition. This presentation runs from 4:00 to 5:00 PM PST from the Norris Theater and will be streamed live on Twitch and YouTube for virtual attendees. The main Expo Showcase and Reception, allowing attendees to play the full collection of student games, follows immediately afterward, running from 5:00 to 9:00 PM PST at the Cinematic Arts Complex.
Beyond standard video game formats, the Expo will include a section for Themed Entertainment Immersive Experiences. Located in the SCI Lobby, this presentation focuses on student work designed to blend audience participation and storytelling within constructed, immersive environments. The 2026 event will debut two new projects: Bloodhound, a collaborative, family-friendly narrative experience set in a 1920s New Orleans jazz bar, and Raceway USA, a nine-hole mini-golf course themed around iconic US landmarks. Both immersive projects were designed and developed by Themed Entertainment students.
General attendance is free and open to the public, though RSVP via Eventbrite is requested. The inclusion of virtual streaming options (USC Games’ channels on YouTube and Twitch) opens access to those unable to attend the 2026 USC Games Expo in person.
