Written by Harun Momanyi, CEO of Tranquil Media Group. He has bylines on leading publications worldwide and has been a WordPress user and advocate since 2012.
This article is part of a paid partnership with Automattic, Inc. to promote WordCamp US 2026.
I began working with WordPress in May 2012. Over the past fourteen years, I’ve published, pitched, and built a media company on a platform that now runs more than 40% of the web.
Since then, I’ve watched WordPress evolve from a basic blogging tool into a powerful platform for businesses and publishers. Today, it’s used by everyone from solo creators to Fortune 500 companies.
The community behind this growth gathers once a year at WordCamp US 2026. This year, the event will be in Phoenix, Arizona. Whether you’re a developer, designer, blogger, agency owner, or anyone building on WordPress for work or as a side project, this is an event worth attending.
The list of speakers is out, and it is worth looking at. Super impressive lineup I must say.
Before I get into the details, here’s a quick tip: use the discount code AF26 at checkout to save $20 on your ticket. Tickets are available at us.wordcamp.org/2026/tickets. Keep reading to find out why that $80 might be the best money you spend this year.
The wonderful location
WCUS 2026 takes place from August 16 to 19 at the Phoenix Convention Centre in downtown Phoenix. Contributor Day kicks things off on Sunday, August 16, and the main conference runs from Monday to Wednesday, August 17 to 19. The Sunday-to-Wednesday schedule is designed to leave the weekend before the event open, so you can arrive early, explore Phoenix, or use the extra time to get ready for the sessions.
Also read: How WordCamp US 2026 can help freelancers and creators grow
General admission is $100 and covers all four days, including Contributor Day, Showcase Day, sessions, workshops, lunch, snacks, sponsor booths, and the community social. With the AF26 code, your ticket is just $80. For four days with meals included, it’s hard to find a better deal at any other tech event.
This year’s theme is Route 66, which ties the event to the Southwest and represents the WordPress community as a global network of people working toward the same goal. I really connect with this theme.
I started my WordPress journey in Nairobi, far from Phoenix, but the platform and its community have shaped my career in ways I never imagined back in 2012.
What the four days look like
Contributor Day on Sunday is your chance to work alongside other WordPress fans in areas like Core, Design, Documentation, Accessibility, and more. Whether you’re experienced or it’s your first time, you’ll find a welcoming team ready to help. If you’ve ever used WordPress and wanted to give back, this is the perfect opportunity.
Monday is Showcase Day, where you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at agencies, creators, developers, and community members who use WordPress in creative and impressive ways. You’ll see real stories, real projects, and real results, not just theories. Wednesday is the main conference day, filled with sessions and workshops on topics like accessibility, web performance, and AI in WordPress.ess.
This year, the event will look at how AI is changing WordPress, from content creation and site building to performance, personalization, and developer workflows. If you’re curious about how AI fits into your WordPress work, these sessions will answer your questions and are led by people shaping the platform’s future.
The event wraps up on Wednesday evening with a social from 7pm to 10pm. In my experience, the best conversations happen here, not during sessions, but over a drink with someone who just solved a problem you’ve been working on for months.
Who should attend?
Honestly, anyone who builds on WordPress professionally or takes it seriously should attend. WCUS 2026 is for contributors, developers, designers, marketers, publishers, business owners, educators, students, and anyone interested in learning more about WordPress.
For bloggers like me, the real value is the community. You’ll meet people who have been doing this longer than you and others who are just starting out.
Both kinds of conversations are valuable. Developers and agency owners will get a lot from the technical sessions and Contributor Day. For designers, Showcase Day alone is worth the trip.l also have the chance to meet the teams behind tools you use every day. WordPress.com, WooCommerce, Jetpack, and Pressable are just some of the sponsors at WCUS 2026.
This means the people who build those products will be in the same building as you for four days. If you have feedback, questions, or want to learn about the roadmap, there’s no better place to talk with them.
How's Phoenix like in August?
Yes, it will be hot outside. Phoenix in August isn’t ideal for walking around.
But the Phoenix Convention Centre is fully air-conditioned, and downtown Phoenix puts you close to restaurants, museums, theaters, galleries, live music, and the Roosevelt Row Arts District.
The new Sunday-to-Wednesday schedule also gives you the weekend before the event to arrive, settle in, and explore before the conference starts.
You can stay at the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown, just a five-minute walk from the venue. Book early if you want to be nearby, since events like this fill up hotels quickly.
A practical note on the tickets
Tickets are refundable until July 24, 2026. If your plans change, you can transfer your ticket by updating your details through your confirmation email.
Get your ticket at us.wordcamp.org/2026/tickets and use code AF26 at checkout to save $20. Have fun in Phoenix!
