Protospiel Chicago 2026

Protospiel Chicago is turning 10!

Please join us Sept 11-13, 2026.

It's hard to believe that Protospiel Chicago has been around for 10 years! You know what they say -- time flies when you're having fun playing games!

In our first year, we had 102 fantastic gamers attend. It was both thrilling and gratifying to have so many people turn out! We've beat that attendance number every year but one. (You know the year we're talking about.) We've had over 200 people attend the last two years! It's crazy!

In anticipation of another 200+ gamers this year, we've rented extra space for both Friday and Saturday. We can't wait to fill those rooms!

Tell Me More

Protospiel is a casual event where amateur and established game designers get together to test their prototype games in a supportive, cooperative environment. It's a great way to break your game and to fix it. Don't worry about the appearance of your game. It isn't nearly as important as the functionality. Some prototypes will be highly polished, but that's not what's important at Protospiel. Our goal is to help you make great games!

You don't have to be a game designer to attend. Anyone who likes to play games is welcome! Come play prototype games and help improve them before they hit the store shelves or Kickstarter.

Want Even More Details?

There is an FAQ page for Protospiels in general.

Tabletop.Events is a great place to find Protospiels and Other Game Conventions.

Don't forget the Protospiel Group on Facebook

Badges & Pricing

Badge prices for Protospiel Chicago 2026 are as follows:

• Designer WEEKEND Badge - $60
• Designer FRIDAY Badge - $35
• Designer SATURDAY Badge - $40
• Designer SUNDAY Badge - $25
• Play Tester WEEKEND Badge - $15
• Press Badge - Complimentary / Email admin@Protospiel-Chicago.org
• Sponsor Badge - Email admin@Protospiel-Chicago.org about opportunities to promote your brand.
• Publisher Badge - Complimentary / Email admin@Protospiel-Chicago.org

Badges, while still available, may be purchased at the door with cash or credit card. No checks will be accepted.

Tabletop.Event fees will be added to all badge prices.

Last day to refund your badge is August 28, 2026.

Food & Drink

We'll be offering coffee service and light snacks throughout the day and there is a wide variety of restaurants nearby.

Hotel

We've secured a block of rooms at the Holiday Inn Countryside.

Details can be found in the Venue section on the right hand side of this page.

Must book by August 11, 2026 to get the group rate.

Parking

Parking is free at the hotel.

Schedule

This will run like the traditional Protospiel, which is open design, collaboration, and play testing. The room will be open as follows:

FRIDAY 9:00am-11:45pm

SATURDAY 9:00am-11:45pm

SUNDAY 9:00am-3:00pm

The guiding principle is for designers to reciprocate other designers' time and feedback by playing each other's games. For example, if you need three play testers for your game, you should try to play three other designer's games before the event ends. This is not a hard and fast rule, but the event works best when everyone tries to follow it.

Wellness Policy

It goes without saying but we'll say it anyway: if you're sick (whether it's Covid-19, Flu, etc.), please stay home and take care of yourself. You'll be taking care of your fellow gamers as well. We thank you.

Sponsors

The Game Crafter will be bringing an assortment of game components, which are free to every attendee!

Welcome to The Game Crafter - The world leader in print on demand board games.

Protospiel Chicago has been Organized by

Clever Playing Cards