#play14 Berlin 2026

#play14 isn’t your typical conference. Here, you’re a player, not a spectator! Ready to tackle real business challenges through hands-on play, not PowerPoint. For two and a half days, innovators from every field gather for a high-energy unconference packed with serious games, fresh ideas, and a lot of laughter. Everyone is invited to join and shape what happens next.

Who Will You Be? A Call for Leaders, The Science Community, Game Developers, and Facilitators

Choose your role and quest and get ready to build the future of work:

🔴 Prophet of the Possible | Visionary Leader: Turn visions into movements, make bold strategies tangible and inspiring to de-risk your most critical initiatives.

🟡 Librarian of the Unseen | Scientist & Analyst: See your insights leap off the page, into action and spark real-world change during the living #play14 laboratory.

🟢 Alchemist | Game Designer & Innovator: Playtest, co-create, bring new concepts to life, engage in new use cases for proven game mechanics and find the spark for your next learning experience.

🔵 Yarn-Spinner | Facilitator & Coach: Advance your craft beyond the standard toolkit, lead with greater impact and creativity and contribute to team growth with advanced facilitation, storytelling, and peer sparring.

Why Bother? Play works!

Play isn't a break from serious work; it’s a more effective way of doing it. The data is clear: It boosts engagement, accelerates strategic thinking and deepens retention. At #play14, you’ll experience game-based learning and debriefs that turn insights into action, while safe-to-fail simulations help teams rehearse decisions and lower real-world risk – a measurable "Return on Failure."
Curious? Peer-led versus instructor-led structured debriefing...; Game-based learning in...; Using simulation scenarios and...; Benefits of simulation-based education...; and many more.

How We Play? It's an Open Space!

So, what is Open Space Technology? Think of it as a creative marketplace for ideas:

1. You create the adventure at #play14. Bring your burning question, a tricky challenge, a favorite game, or that experiment you’ve always wanted to try, then pitch it to the group. Together, we build the day’s agenda.
2. The Law of Mobility makes you the hero: If you’re not learning or contributing, move to where the magic is. No guilt. No need to ask. You’re always empowered to choose the session that sparks your curiosity and energy.
3. No spectators – just play. Here, you’re a co-creator, not just an observer. Expect to move, talk, draw, build, laugh, and connect in every hour. You’ll find yourself jumping into small group challenges, sharing ideas, and sparking new collaborations everywhere you go.

Past sessions included:

👉 Serious Games: The Ball Point Game, Moonshot, Escape the BOOM, Ubongo Flow, Kanban Clinic, Fang-Schuh, Spaceteam

👉 Facilitation Techniques: Training from the BACK of the Room, LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®, Liberating Structures, Language of Facilitation, #TheDebriefingCube

👉 Creativity and Reflection: Improv, sketching, mindfulness, team challenges, walk & talks, one-on-one coaching

We kick off Saturday with a playful tour, so you’ll know exactly how Open Space Technology works.

A Look Back: The #play14 Berlin Journey

Since 2014 in Luxembourg and 2017 in Berlin, over 300 participants – from DAX corporates, agile startups, consultancies, and public sector – have joined us in iconic creative hubs like cozy DaWanda Snuggery, inspirational Dark Horse and vibrant Ufer Clubhouse. Our gathering remain intentionally intimate, focused on physical-world play, and guided by a manifesto: “Share, don’t sell.” #play14 is always inclusive, diverse, and non-profit – everything reinvested into #play14 future.

The Fine Print: What's included in your #play14 Berlin ticket?

Your ticket is an all access pass to the full #play14 experience. We've got you covered with continuous fuel for creativity: 2 community dinners, 2 delicious lunches, and 2 energizing breakfasts. You'll also receive a welcome pack with a unique #play14 t-shirt and some playful surprises.

Please note that your travel expenses, local public transportation and city explorations are not included. To ensure we can plan a high quality experience for everyone, tickets can be fully refunded up to one month before the event. After this date, we are unable to offer refunds, but you are welcome to transfer your ticket to a colleague or friend.

Pack Your Curiosity! Join the Playground!

Ready to explore your playful side, experiment and collaborate? Suit up with your boldest ideas, come ready to move, and learn through serious games – without pressure, competition, or spectators – just pure creativity and discovery.

We can’t wait to welcome you! 🚀🎲