Protospiel Wisconsin

Protospiel Wisconsin 2026

Welcome to Protospiel Wisconsin - Madison's second game design convention!

Game designers of all levels are invited to a weekend full of play testing, feedback, and fun. Whether you're designing your first or hundred-and-first game, Protospiel Wisconsin is the place for you.

Are you a gamer looking to preview and help shape unreleased games? You're welcome, too!

What is Protospiel?

Protospiel is an event where you can bring a board or card game prototype to play with other designers, play testers, and publishers. It's a great way to break your game and to fix it. It doesn't matter what level of polish your game has. Many games are made right on the spot at Protospiel. But there are also many games there that are just doing final testing before they are published or put out on Kickstarter.

If you are a game designer looking to get professional level feedback from other designers there is no better place to get that feedback. You'll have the opportunity to play test your designs many times and the friendships you'll make will last a lifetime.

If you're a gamer who likes to try out new things, then Protospiel is also likely the best experience you'll have. You'll get to see dozens if not hundreds of new designs in a single weekend. Plus you'll get to shape them before they hit the shelves of stores or the pages of Kickstarter.

Badges & Pricing

Check here for badge prices and availability.

Badges will also be available at the door if still available. Purchasing early and online is the best way to support Protospiel Wisconsin.

Hotel & Lodging

Rooms are available at Moxy Madison Downtown, a short walk from the venue:

823 E Washington Ave, Madison, WI 53703

Limited king-bed rooms are available at a group rate through June 16, 2026. Mention Protospiel Wisconsin or use the group code PWG

Additional hotels within walking distance:

Hotel Indigo by IHG - 0.3 miles

About the Venue

The Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra has supported more than 5,000 young musicians from communities throughout southern Wisconsin since 1966. WYSO includes three full orchestras, two string orchestras, a chamber music program, a harp program, a percussion ensemble, a brass choir program and the WYSO Music Makers program.

Food & Drink

Food and drink are not allowed in the event space, but the venue has a designated cafeteria where attendees can take a break and eat.

Schedule

This will run like the traditional Protospiel, which is open design, collaboration, and play testing:

10am-6pm Friday - Registration open

Midnight Friday - Door close for the day

10am-Noon Saturday - Registration open

Midnight Saturday - Doors close for the day

10am-12pm Sunday - Registration open

4pm Sunday - Convention ends

Sponsors

Check back soon for more!

Publishers

Thunderworks Games

Thunderworks Games is a small board and card game publisher that is dedicated to designing and publishing original and innovative games with amazing artwork and high-quality components.

Renegade Games

Today, Renegade is proud to offer a diverse portfolio of beloved games, from original titles to partnerships with legendary brands, as they continue to push the boundaries of what tabletop games can achieve.

Do you represent a publisher that would like to attend? Contact us for additional information.