Open Source Summit / FOSDEM — Brussels, Belgium 2026
Overview
FOSDEM (Free and Open Source Software Developers’ European Meeting), organized by a dedicated volunteer team under FOSDEM vzw, is the continent’s premier community-driven event for open source enthusiasts, developers, and projects, attracting over 8,000 hackers from around the world to collaborate, share ideas, and advance free software in a non-commercial, inclusive atmosphere. The 2026 edition, the 22nd since its 2005 inception (evolving from 2000’s OSDEM), takes place January 31–February 1 at ULB Solbosch Campus in Brussels, featuring 600+ lectures, 80+ devrooms, lightning talks, and stands for hands-on hacking and discussions on topics from kernel development to AI ethics.
As a free, no-registration event funded by sponsors, t-shirt sales, and donations, it emphasizes peer-to-peer knowledge exchange, with live streams for remote participation. FOSDEM’s grassroots spirit—volunteer-led with a team of 30+ core staff—has made it a staple for projects like Linux, KDE, and Mozilla, fostering collaborations that influence global open source. The 2026 Call for Participation is open for devrooms and main track talks, promising a diverse program reviewed for quality amid high demand. Beyond sessions, it includes a Job Corner for open source roles, beer events for informal chats, and certification exams, all at the Université Libre de Bruxelles campus. The event’s code of conduct ensures a positive experience, with accessibility features and COVID policies for safety. Sustainability and community support shine through libre tools for streaming and archiving on video.fosdem.org, plus donations reinvested in future editions. As Europe’s open source heartbeat, FOSDEM 2026 invites developers to “just turn up and join in,” turning Brussels into a global hub for collaborative innovation.
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Event Highlights
- Main Activities or Performances: 600+ lectures across main tracks and 80+ devrooms; lightning talks for quick insights; stands for project demos and hacking.
- Special Traditions or Features: Volunteer-organized devrooms for project meetups; beer event for casual networking; Job Corner for open source opportunities.
- Unique Attractions for Visitors: Free entry with no registration; live streams and post-event videos; certification exams in various FOSS areas.
Why Attend
FOSDEM 2026 is open source’s unmissable rendezvous, where 8,000+ global developers converge in Brussels to hack, debate, and collaborate on everything from Rust tooling to ethical AI—attending supercharges your projects with peer-validated ideas in a free, vendor-free utopia that has birthed countless FOSS breakthroughs. With no barriers to entry, you’ll dive into devrooms like those on PostgreSQL or Mozilla, extracting gems from committers that refine your workflows, as past attendees rave about the “vibrant atmosphere” and lifelong connections.
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The volunteer ethos ensures relevance, turning two days into a recharge for contributors shaping a €100B+ open ecosystem. The event’s intimacy amid scale—devrooms for deep dives, main tracks for breadth—makes it ideal for solo hackers or team leads, with beer events sparking serendipity. For newcomers, it’s an accessible entry via lightning talks; for veterans, a reunion fostering upstream contributions. In a proprietary-dominated world, FOSDEM’s non-commercial purity aligns with FOSS values, extending impact through archives and global streams. Beyond talks, the code of conduct and accessibility (ramps, streams) champion inclusivity, while eco-practices like digital agendas minimize footprint. Whether prototyping in stands or job hunting, 2026 empowers you to collaborate freely, infusing ULB’s campus with the spirit of shared code and camaraderie.
Date & Duration
- Dates: January 31–February 1, 2026
- Duration: 2 days
- Saturday, January 31: Full day (times TBD, typically 09:00–18:00 CET)
- Sunday, February 1: Full day (typically 09:00–18:00 CET)
Visiting this event? Don’t miss out on these amazing activities and local experiences while you’re here.
Ticket Information
- How Tickets Are Sold: No tickets required; free entry, no registration—just show up.
- Admission Type: Free
- Ticket Price Range: $0 (funded by sponsors, t-shirts, donations)
- Special Seating or VIP Options: No VIP; equal access for all; donations encouraged for sustainability.
Venue / Location
- City: Brussels, Belgium
- Main Venue: Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) – Campus du Solbosch
- Google Map Address: Av. Franklin D. Roosevelt 50, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
Worried about accommodation? Hotels near this event sell out quickly, and prices tend to rise fast. Check out these accommodation options:
Booking with Euro Travelo
- Looking to attend FOSDEM 2026 hassle-free?
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- Contact: Reach out to Euro Travelo to book travel arrangements.
Contact Information
- Email: fosdem@lists.fosdem.org (general inquiries); contact via form on fosdem.org.
- Phone: Not specified; use mailing list or chat.fosdem.org.
- Website: fosdem.org
- Social Media: @FOSDEM (X, Mastodon); FOSDEM (LinkedIn, YouTube)
- Key Staff: Core team includes Linda Calders, Wouter Verhelst; full list on site.
- Press/Volunteers: Press via media form; volunteer via volunteer@fosdem.org.
- Note: Response time ~24–48 hours; English/French/Dutch support.
Getting There
- Nearest Airports: Brussels Airport (BRU), 12 km, 20-min train; Charleroi (CRL), 55 km, 60-min bus.
- Public Transport: Metro Line 1/5 to Delta station (5-min walk); trains from BRU to Brussels-Central then metro; buses 12/21/95 (€2.10).
- Parking: Campus limited (€10/day); accessible spaces available.
- Private Vehicle Drop-off/Pick-up: Street parking nearby; taxi/Uber €20–€40 from BRU.
- Visa Support: Schengen visa if required; invitation letters via organizers for speakers.
Accommodation Options
- NH Collection Brussels Centre: Central, near Delta. Fastest route: 5-min metro to venue.
- Hotel Parc Solbosch: On-campus vibe, Ixelles. Fastest route: 2-min walk.
- MEININGER Hotel Bruxelles City Center: Budget, central. Fastest route: 10-min metro.
- Booking Partner: Local partners like Visit Brussels offer rates; contact fosdem@ for groups.
- Accessible Accommodations: Hotels provide adapted rooms; campus ramps/elevators.
Reviews
- “FOSDEM 2025 was pure FOSS magic—devrooms sparked our kernel patch!” — Developer
- “Free, collaborative, unpretentious—Brussels’ open source soul shines.” — Hacker
- “Lightning talks and beer event: where code meets camaraderie.” — Contributor
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FAQ's
What is the main focus of FOSDEM 2026?
FOSDEM 2026 promotes free/open source collaboration with 600+ lectures, 80+ devrooms, and lightning talks for 8,000+ developers, covering projects from Linux to Rust in a non-commercial setting. CFP open for proposals.
How accessible is ULB Solbosch Campus?
Fully accessible with ramps, elevators, and seating; audio/sign language streams available. Metro Line 1/5 step-free; contact organizers for companion passes. Code of conduct ensures inclusivity.
Is registration required for FOSDEM?
No registration or tickets needed—just show up. Free entry funded by sponsors/donations; t-shirts for sale.
What are the transportation options to ULB Solbosch?
From BRU, train to Brussels-Central then metro to Delta (€5, 20 mins); taxis €20 (20 mins); buses 12/95. Parking €10/day; public transport encouraged. Campus map on site.
Can I extend my stay in Brussels after FOSDEM?
Yes, book via Visit Brussels for Grand Place, Atomium, or waffles. Add days for fringe events. Accessible tours available. Contact fosdem@ for recs in Belgium's FOSS capital.
