Cannes International Games Festival 2027

In February, Cannes feels very different from the city people know in summer or during the Film Festival.

From 26 to 28 February 2027, the Cannes International Games Festival returns to the Palais des Festivals for its 40th edition. For three days, the city centre fills with players, families, publishers, designers and visitors looking to discover what is new.

You do not need to be a serious board game fan to enjoy it. Part of the appeal is that the festival brings together very different types of games and very different kinds of visitors.

 

A festival where you actually get to play

The idea is simple: you are not there just to look around.

Inside the Palais, visitors can sit down at a table, try a game, learn the rules and then move on to something completely different a few minutes later.

Board games naturally take up a large part of the festival, but there is much more to explore. Role-playing games, trading cards, miniatures, video games, strategy games, children’s games and new releases all have their place.

Some visitors arrive with a full list of games they want to try. Others simply wander through the stands and see what catches their attention.

 

An event that is easy to enjoy, even if you are not a gamer

That is one of the main strengths of the Cannes Games Festival.

You can come with children, with friends, as a couple or on your own, without knowing the latest releases or being familiar with the biggest names in gaming.

Games are explained on site, many sessions are guided and the atmosphere is generally very accessible. That is why the event attracts both regular players and people who are simply looking for something different to do in Cannes.

 

Discovering games before everyone else

The Cannes International Games Festival is also an important meeting point for publishers and designers.

Many games are presented to the public during the event, sometimes before their official release. Visitors can discover new titles, meet the people behind them and even try prototypes that are still being developed.

The Nuits du Off continue that spirit in the evening. The atmosphere is more relaxed, with more time for conversations between players and creators around games that may still be unknown to the wider public.

For dedicated players, this is often one of the most interesting parts of the festival.

 

Enjoying Cannes between games

One of the festival’s biggest advantages is its location.

The Palais des Festivals sits right in the centre of Cannes, just a short walk from the Croisette, the Old Port and the main shopping streets.

That makes it easy to leave the festival for lunch, walk along the seafront or simply take a break before heading back inside.

Cannes is also much quieter in February than during the high season. It gives the city a different feel and makes it particularly pleasant to explore on foot.

 

Where to stay during the Cannes Games Festival

If you are travelling to Cannes specifically for the event, staying in the city centre makes everything easier.

Being close to the Palais des Festivals means you can walk to the venue, return to your hotel easily during the day and stay close to restaurants, the train station and the Croisette.

Hotel Alnéa is located in central Cannes, making it a convenient option for festival visitors who want to explore the city on foot.

 

Cannes Games Festival 2027: key information

Dates: 26 to 28 February 2027
Location: Palais des Festivals, Cannes
Edition: 40th edition
What to expect: board games, role-playing games, cards, video games, tournaments, new releases and meetings
Who is it for: families, enthusiasts, casual players and curious visitors

 

The Cannes International Games Festival has become one of the city’s major winter events.

For three days, Cannes swaps some of its usual glamour for something much more relaxed: busy tables, new rules to learn, games that keep going and always something else to discover.

Credit : 

@cannes