The WordCamp US 2026 conference will take place in Phoenix, Arizona, from August 16 to 19, bringing together the global WordPress community for four days of sessions, workshops, and networking events. The annual gathering, organized by the open-source community that builds the WordPress platform, aims to provide practical knowledge and professional connections for developers, site owners, and content publishers.
Organizers have scheduled conference days across four tracks covering artificial intelligence, technical WordPress development, professional skill building, and beginner-level topics. The event will also include Showcase Day on August 17, Contributor Day on August 16, and a dedicated Career Corner for job seekers.
Conference Structure and Tracks
The main conference program runs across two days with sessions on AI guardrails, agency pricing, modern development workflows, and introductory WordPress topics. Each track combines presentations with hands-on workshops, allowing attendees to apply what they learn during the event.
Showcase Day features presentations from teams operating large-scale WordPress sites. Past showcases have included platforms from Disney, NASA, and Wikimedia. Organizers expect sessions on automated testing, custom Block Editor implementations, and managing high-traffic publishing workflows.
Free Technical Support and Career Services
The Happiness Bar will offer free drop-in technical support throughout the conference. Attendees can bring laptops and questions about code review, plugin configuration, or general site troubleshooting without needing an appointment or paying a fee.
Career Corner, located within the Sponsor Hall, will provide a job board and direct access to hiring sponsors. A separate half-day workshop will help attendees build a complete site for portfolios, businesses, or ecommerce stores with guidance from experienced WordPress professionals.
AI and Beginner-Focused Sessions
Artificial intelligence features prominently in this year’s program, with sessions covering content generation, search optimization, development automation, and legal considerations for site owners. Organizers have designed these sessions for attendees who want practical information beyond industry hype.
The conference includes dedicated content for first-time attendees, with guides, mentorship opportunities, and specific sessions for beginners. All conference sessions will be recorded and posted to the WordCamp US YouTube channel after the event.
Contributor Day and Community Involvement
Contributor Day opens the event on August 16 and is open to all attendees, regardless of technical experience. Participants can join teams working on WordPress core, documentation, design, training, accessibility, or translation. Remote participation is available through the event’s Slack channel.
WordCamp US 2026 is the first edition of the conference to be held in Phoenix. The Phoenix Convention Center serves as the main venue, with the airport located less than five miles away. The official hotel sits a five-minute walk from the convention center, and the light rail from the airport costs less than $5.
Logistics and Attendance Details
General admission tickets are priced at $100, with student tickets available for $25. The ticket price includes two conference days with more than 50 talks and workshops, Contributor Day, Showcase Day, lunch and coffee, Sponsor Hall access, and the closing social event.
Evening activities in Phoenix include concerts at The Van Buren, a WNBA game featuring the Phoenix Mercury on August 16, illuminated trails at Desert Oasis Garden After Dark, and a Phoenix Symphony performance at the Phoenix Art Museum on August 19.
The conference aims to provide attendees with practical solutions to publishing, business, and technical challenges while offering insight into the future direction of the WordPress platform. Organizers expect the event to draw participants from across the WordPress ecosystem, including developers, designers, content creators, and business owners.
Source: WordPress.com Blog
