ChinaJoy 2026: Shanghai Gaming Expo to Highlight AI Breakthroughs, Global Expansion

ChinaJoy 2026, Asia's largest digital entertainment expo, will examine the gaming industry's rapid AI integration from July 31 to August 3 in Shanghai.

Over 140,000 square meters of exhibition space has attracted nearly 900 companies this year. The roster includes 275 foreign-funded enterprises from 39 countries and regions, including the US, Canada, the UK, Germany, Japan and South Korea, highlighting internationalization efforts. The expo will showcase over 1,000 games from 500 publishers and developers, including Tencent, NetEase, Blizzard Entertainment, Century Huatong, Giant Network, Perfect World and PlayStation.

A highlight of the 2026 expo is the "Vision Future" cutting-edge technology sector, which showcases robotics, advanced AI models, and next-generation smart wearables. AI-powered NPCs, interactive storytelling, and content creation engines will be available in a new area for game design practice.

Organizers project that the event's international profile will expand this year, drawing exhibitors from more than 30 countries and attracting an overseas visitor turnout expected to surpass 10,000.

This year's expo matches a growing domestic and international market. Shanghai's online gaming sector earned 47.83 billion yuan (US$6.6 billion) in the first quarter of 2026, up 17.22 percent year-over-year, according to the local industry regulator. The local industry regulator reported that overseas market revenue rose 22.26 percent to 8.93 billion yuan, indicating strong global momentum for Chinese gaming exports.

ChinaJoy's ticket sales start on July 8.