Board Game Jam 2026
September 18 - 20 | Mount Royal University
A three-day event where MRU students from across campus (any year, any major!) will come together to create their very own board game.
Experience the joy of creating something from scratch, supported by expert mentors in entrepreneurship and game design. Absolutely beginner friendly. Whether you just want a fun weekend or you are a serious board game enthusiast, there's a seat for you. $1000 in prizes for the best teams!
Make new friends!
Meet awesome, like-minded students on campus and have some fun!
$1000 in prizes!
Present your work to seasoned game designers and the MRU community
Strengthen your resume
Impress your future employers with a hands-on work integrated learning experience.
Get a taste of what innovation and entrepreneurship is all about. Experience the startup journey in a weekend, everything from having an idea, to bringing it to life, watching others use it, and fixing what’s broken.
Our friends who make this jam possible
The Jam schedule
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9:30 - Venue opens, welcome and light breakfast
10:00 - Official kickoff of the jam and opening ceremony
10:30 - How to Make a Board Game 101 Workshop
11:30 - Play some board games, expertly curated by our in-house board game afficionado
12:00 - Theme reveal!
12:05 - Lunch and team formation
1:00 - Start working on your board game! Mentors will be floating around to support you with ideation and execution
3:00 - Official end of day, venue closes. Participants are welcome to continue working on their games at a venue of their choice
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9:30 - Venue opens and light breakfast
10:00 - Opening remarks and team check-in
10:30 - How to Play-test a Board Game 101 Workshop
11:00 - Play-test zone opens! Teams, once ready, are welcome to enter the zone and test their games with mentors and other participants
12:00 - Lunch break
1:00 - Work time continues, mentors will be available
4:00 - Official end of day, venue closes. Participants are welcome to continue working at at venue of their choice
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11:30 - Venue opens, lunch and refreshments available
12:00 - Opening remarks
12:15 - Teams set up tables with their board games
12:30 - Judging and open house begin
2:30 - Judges deliberation
3:00 - Closing circle and awards
Jam Details
Dates, times, venue
Day 1: Friday, Sept 18 - 9:30 to 4pm,
Day 2: Saturday, Sept 19 - 9:30 to 4pm,
Day 3: Sunday, Sept 20 - 11:30 to 3pm
All 3 days of the Jam will take place in the Riddell Library, Mount Royal University
Participant info
Only full-time or part-time students at MRU are eligible to participate.
Participation is 100% free of cost
Lunch is provided for all 3 days! A light breakfast is included for Day 1 and 2. Snacks and refreshments included throughout the jam
All materials and craft supplies will be provided by the organizers
Get in touch
An artist, innovator, and game enthusiast, Orin is passionate about building worlds and bringing people together. This drive for creation and community is what fuels his work. As a Launchpad alumni, he navigated the startup journey with his own venture, Shapesynth, winning 15k in 2025. Orin believes deeply in the potential of student entrepreneurs. When he’s not supporting student ventures, you can find him actively involved with the Calgary Game Developers Association (CGDA), participating in game jams and events, or searching for the next great addition to his collection of over 100 board games.
Reach out to Orin at obail724@mtroyal if you have any questions about the Board Game Jam.
Orin Bailey-Davies,
Entrepreneur Development Officer
Frequently Asked Questions
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Fill out the application form! It should take ~10min. If you need any help or have questions, reach out to Arvin at adas1@mtroyal.ca
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Events like the Board Game Jam are a great way to get hands-on experience and learn new skills. Impress your future employers with a unique experience on your resume.
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Any full-time or part-time MRU student is eligible, no matter your faculty or major! There’s a seat for everyone at this table!
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We recommend applying individually. Teams will be formed on Day 1 of the competition, where you're welcome to pair up with your friends or meet new people! Come with an open mind!
Applying
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You'll be grouped into teams of four students, each from various educational backgrounds. Our aim is to curate diverse teams, allowing you to leverage your collective knowledge and expertise.
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We’re grateful to have expert board game designers joining us this weekend.
Keith Donaldson, Diceborn Games
Orin Bishop, Steampunk Rally
Duncan Hecht, Dragon Drop
Charles Hepler, Faculty, Mathematics & Computing
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We understand! As long as you can work it out with your team, without creating unfair workload, we’re happy to accommodate your schedule, as long as it is reasonable.
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The final deliverable is your physical board game, made out of the craft supplies we will provide, and a rule book, clearly outlining how to play your game.