30 & 31 March 2026
Games for Health Europe conference
Beyond the Hype
Conference theme 2026: Beyond the Hype
AI, XR, Robotics, gamification. This conference, we’re subjecting their promises of impact and innovation to our critical, expectant and enthusiastic eyes when we look beyond the hype.
At GFHEU2026, we play, test, and explore the real value — the realistic and applicable — of innovative and playful technologies.
Games for Health Europe Conference
Join up with healthcare professionals, scientists, policy makers and game developers to create new opportunities for healthcare with games & play.
Play is a natural motivator. When we have fun, we train harder, stick to routines better, open our minds to new ideas. Play lowers stress, fear, loneliness.
Healthcare needs a new approach: one that makes full use of our motivation to play.
Think of games that increase self-management skills in patients, teach patients to cope with chronic conditions, and train specialist skills in healthcare professionals.
Join us in Eindhoven and see the power of play for yourself.
It really feels like a place where projects are made, business is being done and where a family of worldwide enthusiasts come together to freely talk about how we are going to move games in the healthcare industry forward."
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A word from our host
“I am thrilled to be attending #GFHEU2026, my eleventh visit and my tenth year as host. It is a joy to have witnessed the expansion of the serious games sector in Europe, and especially in the areas of health and well-being. There is still significant unmet need in the healthcare sector, particularly in the areas of psychiatry and neurology.
The serious games community is enthusiastic and ambitious — and has always brought scientific rigour to showing whether interventions work. At last year’s GFHEU meeting, we reflected on our successes and failures. This year, we will extend that theme to looking ‘beyond the hype’, an expert evaluation of what we think has worked, and what looks promising for the future. I hope to see you there!”
John Harrison, host
GFHEU2025 Aftermovie
An impression of the enthusiasm, ambition and creativity that gave life to the 10th annual conference at the Natlab in Eindhoven, the Netherlands.
Why join the conference?
Be part Be part of the largest international conference on serious / applied games.
Contribute Contribute to the true transformation of the healthcare sector.
Mix & match Mix and match with stakeholders from different sectors.
Try out Experience how serious / applied games transform healthcare.
Discuss Join open discussions of legal, financial and business challenges.
Partnered conferences
DSSH conference 2026
The DSSH conference will be held in Enschede on 12 and 13 March!
The Dutch Society for Simulation in Healthcare aims to promote the development and application of simulation and serious gaming for the benefit of patient safety, education, training, scientific research and quality management in healthcare.
The conference will kick off on 12 March with an Experience Day at Saxion, packed with workshops on simulation, serious gaming, debriefing, CRM and much more!
On 13 March, the conference will take place at the TechMed Centre of the University of Twente.
Keep an eye on the website for more information!
Serious Play Conference Europe 2026
The Serious Play Conference Europe 2026 is a must-attend event for anyone passionate about the transformative power of games and play.
Featuring more than 35 leading speakers, the program spans topics from game development to education, and from healthcare to cultural heritage.
Whether you’re aiming to sharpen your professional skills, connect with experts, or simply enjoy the experience, there’s something for everyone.
Join us for hands-on workshops, panels, talks, networking opportunities, and the chance to play cutting-edge games across XR, VR, and AR.
Our sponsors & partners
Join us in our mission!
We are on a mission to make a positive impact on the health and happiness of one billion people. At the Games for Health Europe conference, we bring together the best minds in game development and healthcare to join us in our mission.
At our in-house studio, Games for Health, we design and develop powerful, playful experiences for complex societal challenges.
