14 Jan 2026 | AWE Team
Road to AWE 2026: The Big Reveal

Introducing AWE’s 2026 theme, what’s new, and how to get involved


I, Spatial: Restoring Human Agency at AWE USA 2026

The momentum for XR is stronger than ever. As we look toward 2026, analysts are predicting the highest market growth to date. This year, we aren't just launching a theme; we are on a mission.

In 2025, we had a simple message: XR is going mainstream. The tech is ready, the tools have matured, and it’s ready for any use case we need today. Much of this acceleration is thanks to the relationship between AI and XR. XR needs AI to become better, faster, cheaper and AI needs XR to access the real world and continue to get smarter and relevant to our daily life and work.

However, as AI moves from mastering language to taking on real-world tasks and decisions, we face a choice. Do we move toward a future where we let AI go loose, or do we choose a path where humans are empowered by Spatial AI?



The theme for 2026 is I, Spatial. This is a call to action to keep humans at the center of the technology we build. It is also an identity. To say "I, Spatial" is to say you work in XR, you believe in its potential, and are behind the mission..

I, Spatial: it’s personal

We believe everyone in this ecosystem is special and we want to build a special relationship with each one of you! 

AWE 2026 is designed for each audience. From the first time you visit our website, to how you choose your path, your ticket, and what you experience on-site - the experience is personalized to your specific path.

First choose what best describes your organization:

  1. PLATFORM - Tech provider with over 500 employees
  2. SOLUTION - Service Provider, Agency, consultancy, lab for hire, reseller
  3. BUILDER - Super early stage teams with prototype, pre-rev, pre-funding
  4. STARTUP - Startup with a product, some funding, some revenue 
  5. GAMING - Gaming studios, LBE venue operators & manufacturers 
  6. ART | STUDIO - Studios that create Narrative XR, immersive films, 3D, SFX
  7. ENTERPRISE - Large organizations adopting XR internally
  8. GOV - City, state or federal organizations, defense
  9. INVESTOR - VC, publisher, accelerator, incubator, funder
  10. MEDIA - Press, content creators, influencers
  11. ECOSYSTEM - Associations, trade orgs, communities, NGOs
  12. ACADEMIC - Students, professors, research
  13. GENERAL - Independent, freelance, enthusiast

Then, choose how to get involved:

A New Four-Day Format

To make room for this growth, AWE USA 2026 is evolving into a four-day event from June 15 to 18 in Long Beach, California.

  • Day 1: Ecosystem Day. This includes specialized workshops, the welcome party, and a new evening keynote to celebrate the ecosystem.
  • Days 2 to 4: Three full days of the expo floor, sessions across 16 tracks, and side events.

Check out the Schedule at a Glance

The World’s Biggest XR Expo is Getting Bigger

The expo hall in 2026 is 10% bigger and is expanding with several new areas:

  • Physical AI & Robots and Large World Models - AI needs XR to access the real world
  • Digital Twin & Reality Capture Pavilion: A brand new space focused on virtual environments and 3D capture.
  • Extended Gaming Hub: A dedicated space for game developers, publishers, and content creators.
  • LBE Zone: An expanded area for theme parks, family entertainment centers, and VR arcade operators to see the latest in location-based experiences.
  • Three Expo Stages: We will feature three distinct expo stages: one focused on Builders and startups, another dedicated to Gaming and LBE, and a new one to showcase the ecosystem.
  • Dedicated Networking Area: Block time for your community 

The AWE Program is going wider and deeper with 16 tracks (3 new tracks)!

  1. Main Stage
  2. Enterprise
  3. Builders
  4. Gaming & LBE
  5. XR Policy
  6. Retail & Marketing
  7. AI + XR
  8. Healthcare & Wellness
  9. Start-ups & Investors
  10. Creator
  11. Developer
  12. XR Enablement
  13. Entertainment &    Media
  14. *New* Immersive Video & Art
  15. *New* Research 
  16. *New* Digital Twins

Partner with AWE

Community partners play a critical role in how XR moves forward. Through our partners, we reach new and more diverse communities - which directly shapes who ends up on stage, on the expo floor, and in the audience. We see AWE as a central meeting point where many communities can gather, connect, and collaborate - not in silos, but together. Partnering with AWE isn’t about logo placement; it’s about shared values, long-term collaboration, and growing the ecosystem in a way that benefits everyone involved.That’s why partnerships are such an important part of how we build the event, both online through Road to AWE and onsite in Long Beach. 

Partner with AWE and propose Side Events.



The Road to AWE

Participation starts now. The "Road to AWE" is a six-month journey featuring monthly virtual events and spotlights. You can stay connected by signing up for the Weekly Spatial Newsletter to get industry news and event announcements delivered every Friday.

For those looking to connect locally, there are over 30 AWE Nite chapters globally hosting meetups and networking events throughout the year.

Plan Your Visit

We recommend booking your travel early. Hotel blocks at the Hyatt, Marriott, and Westin are available now at special rates and will fill up quickly. If you require a travel or visa letter, the operations team is available to assist.

This is your call to action. Don’t just watch from the sidelines. Share your voice, prove the value of this technology, and join us in Long Beach to show what "I, Spatial" means to you.

 
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