GDC 2026, held recently in the US, saw a significant decline in attendance, with the number of visitors dropping by 30% to 20,000. This is the lowest level since 2011, excluding the period of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The primary reasons cited for the decline include excessive entry fees, high accommodation costs, public safety concerns, and the strict policies of US immigration authorities. As a result, many companies have cut budgets or reduced staff, with reports indicating that some are reallocating their budgets to other international events in the UK, Germany, or Japan. While the organizers stated that the scale of overseas visitors was within their expected range, the 30% drop compared to last year contradicts this claim.

Industry insiders point to cost-efficiency as the main reason GDC is being avoided. Although this year's GDC attempted to simplify the ticketing system and lower prices, the burden on small developers and individuals has actually increased. While the top-tier pass price was reduced by about 45%, the low-cost exhibition-only passes priced between $199 and $399 have disappeared. Consequently, attendees must pay at least $649 to enter the exhibition hall, and student pass prices have more than tripled.

The poor environment around the venue is another factor driving people away. With GDC overlapping with major events like the RSA Conference, NVIDIA GTC, and the MLB season opener between the San Francisco Giants and the New York Yankees, downtown San Francisco hotels were booked out early or saw prices skyrocket to nearly four times the usual rate. Social media was filled with complaints about hotel rates exceeding $500–$1,000 per night.

Furthermore, concerns regarding homelessness and crime near the venue have added to the unease. The area around the Moscone Center is notorious for issues related to homelessness, substance abuse, and the risk of violent crime. International visitors are expressing strong dissatisfaction with an environment where they pay high costs without guaranteed safety.

Stricter US entry screening and border controls have also discouraged attendance. Due to resistance against the high-intensity investigations by US immigration authorities (ICE) and demands for social media information, many overseas visitors are showing reluctance to visit the US. The decline in GDC attendance is analyzed as a comprehensive result of these risks and the high-cost structure.

Despite these complaints and the downward trend, GDC is not changing its location. GDC 2027 is scheduled to be held at the Moscone Center in San Francisco from March 1 to 5, 2027.