Red Hat Summit 2026: Know before you go

The countdown to Atlanta is on! Red Hat Summit 2026 is just around the corner, and we can’t wait to welcome you to the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC). Whether you’re joining us to architect your next cloud strategy, sharpen your technical skills, or connect with the open source community, we want to make sure you're prepared from the moment you arrive.

Here is your essential guide to everything you need to know before you go.

Download the mobile app 

The Red Hat Events Guide mobile app (iOS and Android) is your essential on-site companion. Use it to navigate the GWCC with interactive floor maps, receive real-time updates on session changes, and view your personalized agenda. It’s also your gateway to our on-site scavenger hunts—complete digital challenges and scan QR codes across the expo hall to earn points, climb the leaderboard, and unlock exclusive prizes. 

Pack for a full week of activity 

Atlanta in May is beautiful, but you’ll be doing a lot of walking across the GWCC. Comfortable shoes are a must. While laptops are provided all throughout our expo hall and labs, we recommend bringing a notebook and a pen for jotting down notes during sessions. 

You’ll be doing plenty of networking and making frequent use of the mobile app to navigate the venue, so a portable phone charger is also a great addition to your bag. This ensures you stay connected from the morning keynotes all the way through our evening receptions. 

Finally, make sure to save extra room in your suitcase—between the Cool Stuff Store and our new Swag Station, you’ll likely be heading home with several new favorites.

Finalize your agenda

The most important thing you can do right now is log in to the session catalog and finalize your agenda. Our new product spotlights and instructor-led labs are designed to be high-impact, which means seats fill up fast. 

While the 20-minute lightning labs in the expo hall are drop-in and don’t require pre-registration, you’ll need a reserved spot to participate in our 60-minute technical deep dives and spotlights. Take a moment today to review the catalog and make sure that your schedule aligns with your goals for the year. 

Take advantage of the networking opportunities

One of the best parts of Red Hat Summit is the open source community. We have designed a variety of ways for you to connect with peers, industry leaders, and Red Hat experts: 

• Monday: Start the week at Community Day, followed by our official kickoff party in the expo hall starting at 5:00 PM.
• Tuesday: Join us for the expo networking reception from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM, featuring industry-specific happy hours. If you prefer hands-on challenges, our late-night labs will also be open Tuesday evening for self-paced exploration.
• Wednesday: We’re closing out the event with an unforgettable evening at Georgia Aquarium. It’s a unique chance to celebrate the week’s breakthroughs alongside the whale sharks and manta rays.

Give back at the Community Garden 

We believe in leaving a positive impact on our host city. During expo hall hours, stop by the Community Garden to participate in our corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative. We’ve partnered with a local Atlanta nonprofit to assemble gardening kits for kids. It’s a quick, meaningful way to meet other attendees while giving back to the local community. 

Final checklist 

• Register for Red Hat Summit
• Download the Red Hat Events Guide mobile app for iOS and Android
• Build your session agenda
• Pack comfortable shoes and save space for swag
• Spread the word—invite your team or network to join 

Safe travels, and we’ll see you in Atlanta!