Cardboard Edison’s List of Active Board Game Design Contests
Host: Hippodice
Deadline: submissions will be open August 15 through September 5
Design restrictions: games must play in less than 90 minutes
Judges: industry participants
Prizes: none
2026 Wargame Print and Play Game Design Contest
Host: BoardGameGeek
Deadline: October 1
Design restrictions: wargames
Judges: BGG community
Prizes: GeekGold
2026 54-Card Game Design Contest
Host: BoardGameGeek
Deadline: October 16
Design restrictions: no more than 54 cards
Judges: BGG community
Prizes: GeekGold
Host: People of Play
Deadline: October 25
Design restrictions: toys and games invented by children ages 6 to 18
Judges: industry participants
Host: The Game Crafter
Deadline: November 2
Design restrictions: clear PVC cards
Judges: industry participant
Prizes: $250 of shop credit and more
Host: Everjoy Publishing
Deadline: November 15
Design restrictions: none
Judges: industry participants
Prizes: 500 million Vietnamese Dong (nearly $20,000) shared by the winner and finalists to support publication and sales at Spiel Essen 2027
2026 Traditional Deck Game Design Contest
Host: BoardGameGeek
Deadline: December31
Design restrictions: standard deck of playing cards
Judges: BGG community
Prizes: GeekGold
Host: studiogiochi
Deadline: February 28, 2027
Design restrictions: none
Judges: industry participants
Prizes: €3,500 advance on future royalties
