Festival International des Jeux de Cannes: a record 38th edition with over 110,000 entries! – EN

February 28 to March 2, 2025

From February 26 to March 2, 2025, the Cannes International Games Festival (FIJ) confirmed its status as a must-attend event for board game enthusiasts and professionals. Organized by the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès de Cannes, this fast-growing event marked a record year in terms of both attendance and international reach. With an exhibition surface area of 60,000 m² – a third more than in 2024 – this year’s edition offered an exceptional field of events, discoveries and competitions. More than 5,000 professionals and 400 accredited journalists enjoyed an exclusive pre-opening on February 26 and 27, dedicated to the press and industry players.

Published on 4 March 2025

This record success testifies to the central role played by Cannes and the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès in promoting the cultural and creative industries. By hosting the International Games Festival, we are reaffirming our commitment to making Cannes a stronghold for gaming, innovation and economic development.

Jean-Michel Arnaud, President of the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès de Cannes

©Photo Cynthia Reberac Photo Cynthia Reberac Palais Des Festivals Cannes

2025 promised to pull out all the stops, and it’s a real success! Cannes confirms its position as the capital of board gaming for enthusiasts and professionals from all over the world. Thank you to all the festival-goers for the joie de vivre you conveyed and all the moments of sharing you experienced. Long live gaming, long live Cannes!

Cynthia Rebérac, General Curator of the Festival des Jeux

Unprecedented success: 110,000 admissions

With a 30% increase in attendance over the previous year, the FIJ recorded a total of 110,000 admissions, an all-time record. In bright sunshine, visitors flocked to the indoor areas and the lively outdoor village, combining play zones, themed pavilions and moments of convivial sharing.

A trade-oriented edition

With sales of 587M euros in 2024 (source Circana) and over 34 million boxes of games sold in France, the board game industry is experiencing spectacular growth. This 2025 edition marks a turning point with the introduction of an exclusive pre-opening on Wednesday February 26 and Thursday February 27 at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès de Cannes. For four days, the space dedicated to professionals and the press becomes the essential meeting point for exchanging ideas, debating and forging new collaborations. The FIJ reinforces its role as a driving force for the gaming industry, and offers industry players an ideal platform for anticipating the future of the gaming market.

Key figures 2025

60,000 m² (+33% vs. 2024)

110,000 admissions (+30% vs. 2024)

5,000 professionals

1,800 competitors of over 40 nationalities

350 stands

+ 400 game authors

+ 400 qualified journalists and influencers

4,000 visitors to the OFF

A major partnership: SNCF Voyageurs puts play on the rails

For the first time, SNCF Voyageurs has joined the Festival as an official partner. On the Croisette, a 300 m² immersive space was set up to offer festival-goers a unique playful experience, plunging them into the world of the railways. Seats and tablets inspired by SNCF trains recreated the atmosphere of a train journey, where visitors could play in ideal conditions.

The collaboration also celebrated the 20th anniversary of the As d’Or award won by Les Aventuriers du Rail, with an exclusive exhibition in partnership with Days of Wonder. The experience even began on the trains: on board eight INOUI and four OUIGO TGVs, as well as the TERs of the Sud Azur region, play areas and play books extended the fun on the move.

The 2025 Golden Ace-Game of the Year Awards

In a festive atmosphere, France Inter columnist Daniel Morin humorously orchestrated the ceremony live from the Grand Auditorium. Careful staging, suspense and emotion punctuated this great celebration of gaming, hailed by an audience of 2,300 spectators who gave a standing ovation to Yohan Goh, one of the South Korean authors who won the As d’Or-Jeu de l’Année 2025 with the game Odin, as well as Jérôme and Emilie Soleil, authors of the winning game Opération Noisettes.

The 2025 prize list:

As d’Or-Game of the Year: Odin
As d’Or-Game of the Year for Children : Opération Noisettes
As d’Or-Game of the Year Initiate: Behind
Golden Ace-Game of the Year Expert: Kutná Hora

This selection highlights the creativity, innovation and universal values of gaming, reflecting the mission of the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès: “To welcome the world sustainably”.

A date already anticipated in 2026

On the strength of this exceptional 38th edition, the FIJ is already looking forward to seeing all enthusiasts from February 27 to March 1, 2026 for another celebration of gaming in all its diversity.

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