There are a lot of different board game design contests and events just waiting for participants to create new games.
If you want to see only the contest that are currently open for submissions use filter or check the Open For Submissions calendar.
NOTE: Timezones might cause errors in deadlines so always check the original contest page for details.
Date
Title
september, 2026
Event Type
All
Board Game Design Contest
Contest Event or Ceremony
Design Contest Period Or Deadline
Evaluation period
Submission period
Past and Future Events
All
Only Past Events
Only Future Events
Events Status
All
Scheduled
Cancelled
Moved Online
Postponed
Rescheduled
Preliminary
Tentative
02oct(oct 2)00:0021dec(dec 21)23:592026 Wargame Print and Play Design Contest
Event Details
BGG Community design contest for Wargames. Special Theme: SABOTAGE Games entered in this contest should be purpose-designed wargames. Games may be solitaire,
Event Details
BGG Community design contest for Wargames.
Special Theme: SABOTAGE
Games entered in this contest should be purpose-designed wargames. Games may be solitaire, two player, multi-player or even co-operative. However it is critical that the game is a wargame. The primary focus should therefore be on conflict and warfare. For the avoidance of doubt, the following themes are allowed: historical war from any time period (e.g. the Irish civil war), hypothetical war from any time period (e.g. hypothetical invasion of Cornwall by Korea in 1248), fantasy war (e.g. ents versus fungusfolk), sci-fi war (e.g. Cthulhu versus Godzilla on Planet X). Any scale of conflict is allowed from 1 on 1 (e.g. gladiators) through to grand strategic (e.g. whole of WW2). If you are in doubt about whether your idea qualifies, please consult BGG’s very detailed definition of what a wargame is.
Source: https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/3627732/contest-open-2026-print-and-play-wargame-design-co
Time
02.10.2025 00:00 – 21.12.2026 23:59(GMT+00:00)
Organizer
Related Events
06jan(jan 6)00:0027sep(sep 27)23:59The 45th Boulogne-Billancourt Contest
Event Details
This contest is open to any French or International designer, in the limit of 1 GAME per designer in order to promote the participants’ diversity.
Event Details
This contest is open to any French or International designer, in the limit of 1 GAME per designer in order to promote the participants’ diversity.
Any kind of board game can compete, except for solitaire games, brain teasers, computer games and expansions of existing games.
Only the games that are NOT PUBLISHED (even self-published) at the time of the awards ceremony in September 2026 can participate. If a game were to be published before the final in September 2026, it would no longer be considered a prototype and would therefore be excluded from the Boulogne-Billancourt Contest. Any designer whose game is under publishing process (or just signed with a publisher) before the end of the competition will have to inform the organizers about it.
Source: https://centreludique-bb.fr/concours-collection/le-concours/ledition-2026/
Time
06.01.2026 00:00 – 27.09.2026 23:59 CET(GMT+01:00)
Organizer
Related Events
Finals of the 45th Boulogne-Billancourt Contest
26.09.2026 00:00 – 27.09.2026 23:592nd phase of the 45th Boulogne-Billancourt Contest
10.03.2026 00:00 – 30.06.2026 23:59Rules reading phase of the 45th Boulogne-Billancourt Contest
06.01.2026 00:00 – 10.03.2026 23:59Submission period for the 45th Boulogne-Billancourt Contest
06.01.2026 00:00 – 30.01.2026 23:5919jan(jan 19)19:2628feb(feb 28)23:59Premio Archimede 2027
Event Details
The Premio Archimede is biennial contestof studiogiochi where they look for new games and they sign agent deals with the finalists. If you would like
Event Details
The Premio Archimede is biennial contestof studiogiochi where they look for new games and they sign agent deals with the finalists.
If you would like studiogiochi to be your agent for your creation, you can participate to the contest.
The Premio Archimede is international competition for non professional game authors.
If your game passes the first selection (about one out of two games), it will be exposed during the final ceremony and may be noticed by the public and publishers that will be there as jury members or visitors.
If your game is among the finalists (about one out of ten games), it will be played by jury members (most of them represent major international game publishers). And so, the chances of a publication are very high.
If your game gets one of the first places, you will receive substantial prizes in form of expenses reimbursement for a total of 3500 Euros.
Source: https://studiogiochi.com/en/premio-archimede-2/archimede-2027/
Time
19.01.2026 19:26 – 28.02.2027 23:59 CET(GMT+01:00)
Organizer
01mar(mar 1)00:0031dec23:597th World Original Design Contest of Board Game
Event Details
Yearly Chinese design contest organized by Yoka Games. NOTE: The source site does not clearly specify if organizer reserves some special
Event Details
Yearly Chinese design contest organized by Yoka Games.
NOTE: The source site does not clearly specify if organizer reserves some special rights to participant’s game design or publishing. Read the rules of the contest carefully from the original contest site.
Categories
Strategy games
- Well-structured rule system
- Rigorous gameplay mechanism
- Players:2+
- Playing time: 45-90 mins
Party games
- With simple game play structures and rules
- Players: 1~4+
- Playing time: ≤45 mins
Nine-card Games
Games with 9 cards or cards that are multiples of 9 supplemented by a few other accessories (poker cards, paper and pen, etc.)
The Best Artwork Display
All submissions may participate in this selection by default(entirely or mainly generated using AI will be disqualified accordingly)
Timeline
March~May, 2026
Open for Submissions
June, 2026
Preliminaries starts
June~July, 2026
Preliminaries results Update your submission for the next stage
July~August, 2026
Semi-finals stage starts
The meet-up
Sep., 2026
Semi-finals judgement
Oct., 2026
Semi-finals results and enter the finals
Nov.~Dec., 2026
Finals results
Prize giving
Ceremony
Source: https://wodc.yokagames.com/en
Time
01.03.2026 00:00 – 31.12.2026 23:59(GMT+08:00)
Organizer
Yoka Games
31may20febXX Ciutat de Granollers board games contest
Event Details
The Ciutat de Granollers Contest will award 6 games that stand out for their good balance between “fun to play”, originality and solidity as a product suitable for
Event Details
The Ciutat de Granollers Contest will award 6 games that stand out for their good balance between “fun to play”, originality and solidity as a product suitable for the national and international market, with the aim of giving a seal of quality to the awarded games.
Time
31.05.2026 23:00 – 20.02.2027 22:59(GMT+02:00)
Organizer
Related Events
XX Ciutat de Granollers bord games contest – Awards ceremony
20.02.2027 17:00 – 19:00XX Ciutat de Granollers bord games contest – Prototype evaluation period
31.10.2026 23:00 – 31.01.2027 22:59XX Ciutat de Granollers bord games contest – Prototype delivery period
29.09.2026 23:00 – 31.10.2026 22:59XX Ciutat de Granollers bord games contest – Prototype selection period
31.07.2026 23:00 – 30.09.2026 22:59XX Ciutat de Granollers bord games contest – Submission Period
31.05.2026 23:00 – 31.07.2026 22:5901jun(jun 1)00:0015nov(nov 15)23:592026 Solitaire contest
Event Details
This contest aims to encourage the creation of innovative single-player games in a variety of themes and mechanics. New contests platform is in use
Event Details
This contest aims to encourage the creation of innovative single-player games in a variety of themes and mechanics.
New contests platform is in use for this contest. Create an account on the Design Contests Hub website and fill in the Contest Form.
Source: https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/3716853/2026-solitaire-print-and-play-contest
Time
01.06.2026 00:00 – 15.11.2026 23:59(GMT+00:00)
Organizer
01aug(aug 1)00:0031dec23:592026 54-Card Game Design Contest
Event Details
Design a game using 54 cards. Important Dates and deadlines Earliest Date for Games to be Publicly Available: July 1st, 2026Contest
Event Details
Design a game using 54 cards.
Important Dates and deadlines
Earliest Date for Games to be Publicly Available: July 1st, 2026
Contest Start: August 1st, 2026
Entry Deadline: October 16th, 2026 11:59 PM BGG Time (CST)
Component Ready: November 1st, 2026 11:59 PM BGG Time (CST)
Contest Ready: November 15th, 2026 11:59 PM BGG Time (CST)
Official Play Testing: November 16st thru November 30th, 2026 11:59 PM BGG Time (CST)
Voting Page Available: December 1st, 2026
Voting Ends: December 31st, 2026 11:59 PM BGG Time (CST)
Game Components
- Games are limited to 54 cards whose maximum dimensions are 3.5 x 2.5 inch (64 x 89 mm) in size
- Any combination of sizes within this restriction is allowed (i.e. 24 square cards, 28 poker size, and 2 business size)
- There is shape restriction, just as long as each card fits within the 3.5 x 2.5 inch dimensions. So hexagonal, triangular, etc. are allowed
- There is no minimum card count although if it’s a really small number you may look at other contests out there (9-Card Nanogame, Button Shy’s 18 Card Design Challenges)
- PnP files should fit on A4/Letter size PDF sheets with
- There are no restrictions on rules format or length.
- If your game uses standard playing cards, consider entering into 2026 Traditional Deck Game Design Contest instead. It starts September 1st.
- No cutting, bending or mutilation of cards is allowed – imagine that they must fit back into a tuckbox after play.
Source: https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/3746297/2026-54-card-game-design-contest
Time
01.08.2026 00:00 – 31.12.2026 23:59 BGG Time(GMT-05:00)
Organizer
Related Events
2026 54-Card Game Design Contest – Voting Period
01.12.2026 00:00 – 31.12.2026 23:592026 54-Card Game Design Contest – Playtesting Period
16.11.2026 00:00 – 30.11.2026 23:592026 54-Card Game Design Contest – Final Fixes Period
01.11.2026 00:00 – 15.11.2026 23:592026 54-Card Game Design Contest – Design Period
01.08.2026 00:00 – 01.11.2026 23:592026 54-Card Game Design Contest – Submission Period
01.08.2026 00:00 – 16.10.2026 23:5911aug(aug 11)02:3210nov(nov 10)07:59Clear Card Contest
Event Details
Design contest by The Game Crafter. Aim is to create a game that makes good use of The Game Crafter’s clear PVC cards. n
Event Details
Design contest by The Game Crafter. Aim is to create a game that makes good use of The Game Crafter’s clear PVC cards.
n this contest, your game must include Clear Card Crafting Deck and/or Clear Euro Poker Deck.
The card’s transparency must play a key role in the cards usage in your game.
Clear cards have a very specific way the files need to be made that differ from normal cards, they also use a very specific white printing method. It is imparative that you read the help pages for both to make sure you design your cards correctly!
Source: https://www.thegamecrafter.com/contests/clear-card-design-contest
Time
11.08.2026 02:32 – 10.11.2026 07:59 CST(GMT-06:00)
Organizer
15aug(aug 15)00:0030apr(apr 30)23:59The Hippodice Competition 2027
Event Details
The Hippodice competition is looking for the best game ideas year after year. All game designers of unpublished board, card, dice or other non-digital games can participate.
Event Details
The Hippodice competition is looking for the best game ideas year after year. All game designers of unpublished board, card, dice or other non-digital games can participate.
The competition is internationally oriented and has been held annually since 1989. It has evolved over the last few decades into a well-known event in the international gaming scene. Countless titles have been published after a successful competition, and have gained not only national, but also international attention.
Schedule
- Submission phase: August 15 to September 5, 2026
- Request for physical prototypes or notification of rejection by email: no later than October 24, 2026
- Prototype submission period (by the game designers): October 24 to November 7, 2026
- Main round (prototype testing phase by Hippodice): late October 2026 to February 2027
- Final round (evaluation by an expert jury): March 19–20, 2027
- Consolidated feedback from all testing rounds for all main-round participants: shortly after the final round, no later than April 30, 2027
Additional notes
- A maximum of two submissions per game designer is permitted.
- Please note: Your prototype must have a regular playing time of no more than 90 minutes, excluding the explanation of the rules.
Source: https://hippodice-competition.net/en/info-participation/dates-and-short-info/
Time
15.08.2026 00:00 – 30.04.2027 23:59(GMT+00:00)
Organizer
Related Events
The Hippodice Competition 2027 – Publication of results
20.03.2027 00:00 – 30.03.2027 23:59The Hippodice Competition 2027 – Main round and the Final round
07.11.2026 00:00 – 20.03.2027 23:59The Hippodice Competition 2027 – Physical Prototype submission period
24.10.2026 00:00 – 07.11.2026 23:59The Hippodice Competition 2027 – I Evaluation Phase
06.09.2026 00:00 – 24.10.2026 23:59The Hippodice Competition 2027 – Submission Phase
15.08.2026 00:00 – 05.09.2026 23:5901sep(sep 1)00:0031dec23:592026 Traditional Deck Game Design Contest
Event Details
Create a game using the traditional deck of playing cards. The contest will be run with the help of the Design Contest
Event Details
Create a game using the traditional deck of playing cards.
The contest will be run with the help of the Design Contest Hub site.
Components
The main components of the game should be the cards from the traditional deck of playing cards (the poker deck).
If you are using multiple decks, these may have different backs or the same backs, and you may use these mechanically, within reason.
You can also adjust the size of the deck, removing unnecessary cards, though your final game must include and be based on a traditional deck of playing cards. Jokers are fine as well. You can also use a deck box as a component if you can find a mechanical reason to do so.
A small amount of coins, chips, cubes, dice or other common items is permitted. (The harder these items are to come by, the fewer players will play and vote for your game. So weigh out personally whether such components are really necessary.)
No printable custom components are allowed in this contest, with the exception of components that don’t have a gameplay function: the rulebook, scorepad, player aids or a reference sheet.
However, you are allowed to create a deck with custom illustrations for thematic reasons. But, no gameplay information other than standard ranks and suits should appear on the cards.
AI usage
Contest has strict AI usage guidelines. See the contest page: https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/3761810/article/48124582#48124582
Contest Dates
Contest start: September 1st, 2026
Earliest Date for Games to be Publicly Available: September 1st, 2026
Deadline for submissions: December 1st, 2026
Deadline for mandatory feedback: December 10th, 2026
Development: Until December 15th, 2026
Voting: December 15th to December 31st, 2026
Source: https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/3761810/2026-traditional-deck-game-design-contest
Time
01.09.2026 00:00 – 31.12.2026 23:59 CST(GMT-05:00)
Organizer
Related Events
Voting Period for 2026 Traditional Deck Game Design Contest
15.12.2026 00:00 – 31.12.2026 23:59Feedback Period for 2026 Traditional Deck Game Design Contest
01.09.2026 00:00 – 10.12.2026 23:59Delopment Period for 2026 Traditional Deck Game Design Contest
01.09.2026 00:00 – 15.12.2026 23:59Submission Period for 2026 Traditional Deck Game Design Contest
01.09.2026 00:00 – 01.12.2026 23:59All contests in this calendar accept submissions in English and are not limited to a single country.
Disclaimer: The data on the calendar comes from various internet sources (mainly boardgamegeek.com). The contests here have no connection to this site or its owner. Allthough the site owner might participate some contests. The calendar might contain mistakes. Be sure to check the official contest page for detailed and up to date information.


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