Urbino in Gioco – World Play Day Festival
Three days of games, culture, and meetings at the Albornoz Fortress in Urbino
About Urbino in Gioco
Play Takes Center Stage in Urbino
Every spring, the Albornoz Fortress, the 16th-century fortress overlooking the historic center of Urbino (Province of Pesaro and Urbino, in the Marche region), transforms into an immense space dedicated to play. Urbino in Gioco – Festival della Giornata Mondiale del Gioco is the event that celebrates the international occasion in the city, promoted to highlight play as a tool for meeting, growth, and inclusion. Curated by Club IDDU APS along with the Municipality of Urbino and the Pro Loco of Urbino, the festival brings together dozens of associations, authors, publishers, and exhibitors from all over the region and beyond.
An Open-Air Play Park
The Fortress's spaces host activities designed for all ages: a free game library where you can try hundreds of titles, tables dedicated to modern and traditional board games, role-playing game sessions, giant games, and old-fashioned games to be played outdoors. Alongside the games themselves, the festival offers a rich cultural program of meetings, conferences, and workshops with prominent figures from the Italian and international gaming scene.
- Free game library and previews of new publications
- Board game tournaments and demonstrations
- Areas dedicated to role-playing games
- Giant games and traditional outdoor games
- Themed exhibitions and meetings with authors
The Play Journalism Festival
Within Urbino in Gioco, the Play Journalism Festival takes place, organized in collaboration with the publication ioGioco: two days of panels, interviews, and in-depth talks dedicated to the world of board games, critical reviews, and gaming communication, with Italian and international guests. The events are also broadcast live streaming, extending the event's reach far beyond the borders of Montefeltro.
A Festival for Everyone, Free of Charge
True to the authentic spirit of play as a shared good, Urbino in Gioco offers free admission. The scenic setting of the Albornoz Fortress, surrounded by greenery and overlooking the Renaissance profile of Urbino, a UNESCO World Heritage city, makes the experience even more memorable: an opportunity to discover one of Italy's Renaissance capitals while having fun.
Urbino in Gioco — edition 2026
The 11th edition of Urbino in Gioco enlivens the Albornoz Fortress from June 5th to 7th, 2026, with the theme "Fare Giocare" (Making Play Happen), dedicated to those who make play possible: publishers, authors, developers, organizers, educators, and cultural mediators, often unrecognized but essential. Over 80 associations, authors, publishers, and exhibitors animate the fortress's spaces with free activities for all ages. The event is curated by Club IDDU APS with the Municipality of Urbino and the Pro Loco of Urbino.
Programme Urbino in Gioco 2026
Games and Activities (June 5-7)
- Free game library with hundreds of titles and previews of new publications
- Board game tables, role-playing game areas, giant games, and traditional games
- Over 80 associations, authors, publishers, and exhibitors
- Themed exhibitions set up in the Fortress spaces
Play Journalism Festival — Saturday, June 6th
- 11:00 AM — Playing the Territory: Games for Discovering Places and Culture
- 12:15 PM — Germany's Role in Game Design and International Publishing
- 3:00 PM — GED Talk: Why Humans Think in Stories
- 3:45 PM — The Behind-the-Scenes Role of Publishers and Developers
- 4:45 PM — Meaning and Commercialization of Contemporary Gaming Events
- 5:45 PM — GED: How Play Has Changed Since the 70s-80s
- 6:30 PM — Play as an Educational Tool
Play Journalism Festival — Sunday, June 7th
- 11:00 AM — The Role and Mission of Gaming Associations
- 12:00 PM — The Responsibility of the Industry Press
- 12:45 PM — GED: Cards as "Logical Machines" for Reasoning
- 3:00 PM — GED on Socio-Educational Game Design
- 3:45 PM — Visual Communication in Game Design
- 4:45 PM — GED: Exploring Taboos Through Game Narratives
- 5:30 PM — The Perception of Authors in Game Creation
The events of the Play Journalism Festival, organized with the publication ioGioco, are also broadcast live streaming on the ioGioco Twitch channel.
Highlights Urbino in Gioco 2026
Prices Urbino in Gioco 2026
Practical information — Urbino in Gioco
Where
Albornoz Fortress, Urbino (PU), in the panoramic park overlooking the historic center. The area is reachable on foot from the city center.
How to Get There
By car: Urbino exit from the Fano-Grosseto highway (SS73bis), then use city parking and walk up towards the Fortress. By train: the nearest useful station is Pesaro, connected to Urbino by bus lines. By plane: Ancona-Falconara Airport.
Admission
Free. Some activities and workshops may require booking.
Tips
Comfortable shoes for walking in the Fortress park and clothing suitable for outdoor days.
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Where does it take place — Urbino in Gioco
Fortezza Albornoz
Fortezza Albornoz, Via dei Maceri, 61029 Urbino