Play Sorbonne Festival 2026: Your Essential Guide to Paris’s Independent Game Celebration
The Play Sorbonne Festival, a highly anticipated event for gaming enthusiasts, is set to return for its 10th edition on Saturday, September 19, 2026. Hosted at the iconic Sorbonne University – Jussieu campus (4 place Jussieu, Paris), this free festival promises a day packed with independent video games, board games, tournaments, conferences, and unique exhibitions. With an expected 15,000 visitors and 150 exhibitors across 14,000 square meters, it’s an event not to be missed.
Event Details at a Glance
- What: Play Sorbonne Festival – Independent Game Festival
- When: Saturday, September 19, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
- Where: Sorbonne University, Jussieu Campus, 4 place Jussieu, 75005 Paris
- Admission: FREE for all visitors and exhibitors
- Expected Attendance: 15,000 visitors
- Exhibitors: 150 (independent video game developers, board game creators, associations)
Why Attend the Play Sorbonne Festival?
The Play Sorbonne Festival stands out for its commitment to independent gaming and its unique, non-commercial model. Unlike many other events, there are no on-site sales or ‘pay-to-win’ games. Exhibitors showcase their creations without commercial pressure, fostering an environment focused purely on creativity and innovation. The only commercial aspects are free-priced goodies and catering capped at €5 per meal, ensuring accessibility for everyone.
Perrine Poitiers, co-founder of the festival, emphasizes their vision: “What we wanted was to create an ecosystem that revolves around creativity and independent developers.” This philosophy has allowed the festival to grow from a small student initiative with 150 attendees in Colombes to one of France’s most frequented independent game festivals, attracting over 10,000 visitors in its last two editions (10,500 in 2024 and 11,200 in 2025).
What to Expect: A Packed Anniversary Program
To celebrate its tenth anniversary, the festival is enhancing all its core pillars. Visitors will find a dense program designed to engage and entertain throughout the day:
Gaming and Discovery:
- 150 Exhibitors: Explore a wide array of independent video games, meet board game authors, and interact with gaming associations.
- Expanded Tournaments: Compete or spectate in popular games such as Smash Ultimate, Mario Kart, TFT, Osu!, and Tetri.IO, with approximately 500 participants expected.
- Role-Playing Game on Stage: An immersive live RPG session will take place in the auditorium, featuring special guests like Mister MV, FibreTigre, Le SadPanda, Pressea, and Angle Droit.
- New Treasure Hunt: Discover the festival in a new way with an original treasure hunt designed for exploration.
Conferences and Exhibitions:
- Professional Conferences: Gain insights from industry professionals (full program to be announced).
- “Informatissage” Exhibition: Explore the fascinating connections between textile techniques and computer imagery, from the Jacquard loom to pixel art.
- “Why Video Games Captivate Us?” Exhibition: Delve into the cognitive mechanisms and game design principles that make video games so engaging, offering an analytical perspective on an often intuitive medium.
A Platform for Emerging Talent
The Play Sorbonne Festival has a proven track record of launching successful independent game developers. Former exhibitors such as Doc Geraud (Sol Cesto, 200,000 sales) and Last Moon (over 50,000 wishlists) made their debut at the festival, demonstrating its significant role in the independent development ecosystem. Author and screenwriter FibreTigre, a long-time supporter, perfectly encapsulates the event’s spirit: “It’s an opportunity for all of us to meet. We have a lot of creative freedom, so for me, this type of show is caviar.”
Practical Information for Your Visit
Location and Contact:
- Address: Sorbonne Université, 4 place Jussieu, 75005 Paris
- Email Contact: [email protected]
Getting There:
The Jussieu campus is easily accessible by public transport:
- Metro: Line 7 and 10, Jussieu station
- Bus: Lines 67, 89
Accessibility:
The festival aims to be accessible to everyone. Specific information regarding accessibility for people with reduced mobility will be available closer to the event date on the official website.
Food and Drink:
On-site catering will be available, with meals capped at €5 to ensure affordability for all attendees.
Plan Your Day!
With its diverse program and commitment to independent creativity, the Play Sorbonne Festival is a must-visit for anyone interested in the world of gaming. Mark your calendars for September 19, 2026, and prepare for a day of discovery, competition, and community at Sorbonne University.
Stay tuned for the full conference program and any additional announcements closer to the event date.
Source: https://www.jds.fr/paris/activite-experience/jeux/play-sorbonne-festival-la-fete-du-jeu-independant-a-paris-1700215_A
