Disclosure: This article is part of a paid content campaign with Automattic. I may receive compensation for approved content promoting WordCamp US 2026. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Quick Answer

WordCamp US 2026 takes place from August 16 to 19, 2026, at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona. The event brings together bloggers, website owners, freelancers, designers, developers, marketers, business owners, and anyone interested in the WordPress community. Attendees can expect educational sessions, hands on workshops, networking opportunities, and Contributor Day. General admission costs $100, and you can save $20 by using the discount code AF26, bringing the ticket price down to $80. Tickets are available through the official Tickets – WordCamp US, Phoenix AZ 2026 page. Get your WordCamp US 2026 ticket here.

Introduction

I have been building and running my blog on WordPress since 2019.

Over the past seven years, I have written hundreds of articles, experimented with plugins, redesigned pages more times than I can count, learned SEO through trial and error, and gradually turned my website into a growing family lifestyle and travel blog.

Like many independent bloggers, I learned almost everything on my own from home in the Netherlands.

Despite spending years using WordPress almost every day, I had never attended a WordCamp.

Not because I was not interested.

More because I never really understood what WordCamp was or whether it was relevant for someone like me. I imagined it was a technical conference aimed primarily at developers writing code, not simple bloggers creating travel stories, family articles, and product reviews like me.

After researching more about WordCamp US 2026, I realized I had been looking at it completely the wrong way.

The more I discovered, the more I understood why so many people return every year.

If you use WordPress in any way, whether professionally or simply as a hobby, WordCamp US might be far more relevant than you think.

Where Is WordCamp US 2026 and Why Visit?

WordCamp US 2026 will be held at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona, from August 16 through August 19, 2026.

The event brings together thousands of people from across the WordPress community.

Visitors include:

• Bloggers
• Website owners
• Freelancers
• Designers
• Developers
• Digital marketers
• WooCommerce store owners
• Agencies
• Students
• Beginners exploring WordPress for the first time

Whether your website is a personal blog, an online shop, a company website, or a creative portfolio, WordCamp offers opportunities to learn directly from people who actively build, use, and improve WordPress every day.

Get your WordCamp US 2026 ticket here.

What Is WordCamp US Known For?

WordCamp US is the largest annual WordPress community event in North America.

WordPress powers a significant portion of websites across the internet, making it one of the world’s most widely used content management systems. WordCamp US brings together the people behind that ecosystem, including developers, designers, content creators, business owners, marketers, accessibility specialists, educators, and volunteers.

Unlike many commercial conferences, WordCamp focuses on sharing knowledge, building community, and encouraging collaboration within the open source WordPress project.

What surprised me most was discovering that WordPress is much more than the software behind my blog. There is an entire community of people sharing ideas, solving problems together, and helping improve the platform for everyone.

My First Impression as a Long Time WordPress Blogger

Unfortunately, I won’t be attending WordCamp US this year. Our family will be spending the summer holidays in Indonesia, something we’ve been looking forward to for a long time.

Still, researching more about WordCamp made me realize something I had never really thought about before.

I’ve been using WordPress since 2019, but to me it was always just… my website.

It was where I sat with a cup of coffee in the morning, writing a new travel story before the house became busy. It was where I published articles after the boys went to bed. It was where I spent far too much time trying to figure out why a plugin suddenly stopped working after an update.

Like many bloggers, I mostly learned by experimenting. If something broke, I searched for answers. If I wanted to try something new, I simply clicked around until I figured it out.

Because of that, I never really thought about the people behind WordPress itself.

Reading about WordCamp changed that.

It reminded me that WordPress isn’t just software. Behind every update and every new feature are people from all over the world who choose to spend their time making the platform better for everyone else.

As someone who usually works from a small home office in the Netherlands, I like the idea that there is such a large community behind something I use almost every day. It makes WordPress feel much more personal than I had ever realized.

Four Days of Learning at an Affordable Price

One of the first things I looked up was the ticket price. I was honestly surprised. A general admission ticket costs just $100 for four days of sessions, workshops, meals, and the closing social event.

Compared with many technology or marketing conferences, that is remarkably affordable.

Reading more about the event, I found that WordCamp US is supported by sponsors such as WordPress.com, WooCommerce, Jetpack, and many others. That support helps keep ticket prices affordable.

If you’re planning to go, don’t forget to use the discount code AF26. It saves $20, so your ticket comes to $80 instead of $100. Buy your WordCamp US 2026 ticket.

What You Can Expect During WordCamp US

Sessions Built Around Real Experience

One of the things that stood out to me is the focus on practical experience.

Rather than simply presenting ideas, speakers share lessons from projects they have worked on, the challenges they encountered, and what they learned along the way. I like that approach because it feels honest and useful. Sometimes hearing how someone solved a problem, or even what did not work, can be just as valuable as learning about a new feature.

I was happy to know that the programme is not all about coding. There are also sessions on content creation, AI, business, accessibility, and many other topics that feel relevant to bloggers and website owners like me.

Contributor Day

Before researching WordCamp US, I honestly had no idea how much of WordPress is maintained by volunteers around the world.

Contributor Day gives attendees the opportunity to work alongside experienced contributors while learning how the open source project operates.

Even complete beginners are welcome.

Networking

Blogging can be a surprisingly solitary hobby and business. Most days, it is just me, my website, and a long list of ideas waiting to be published.

That is probably why WordCamp appeals to me. After years of learning from articles, videos, and documentation, it would be refreshing to have real conversations with people who use WordPress in completely different ways.

Meeting the WordPress Community

I have never attended a WordCamp, so I cannot tell you what it feels like to be there. After researching WordCamp US 2026, I finally understand why so many people return every year. Beyond the sessions, it is an opportunity to meet people who use WordPress in different ways, from bloggers and freelancers to agencies and developers. As someone who works mostly from a home office in the Netherlands, that sense of community is what interests me most.

Meeting the People Behind the Tools

After years of using WordPress, I still find it a little strange that I have never actually met anyone from the community behind the tools I use every day. One part of the WordCamp US that caught my attention is the sponsor area, where attendees have the opportunity to ask questions, watch demonstrations, and meet the people behind products like WordPress.com, WooCommerce, and Jetpack. 

Why I Think Many Bloggers Overlook WordCamp

I suspect I am not the only blogger who has overlooked WordCamp for years.

Before researching WordCamp US 2026, I assumed it was mainly for developers. Now I understand it is also relevant for bloggers, content creators, freelancers, marketers, and business owners who use WordPress every day.

If You Have Never Considered WordCamp Before

Until I started researching this event, I knew very little about WordCamp beyond its name. If you are in the same position, I hope this overview helps you decide whether it might be worth exploring.

Whether you run a personal blog, a small business website, or an online store, understanding the WordPress community can be just as valuable as learning new technical skills. Even if attending this year’s event is not practical, simply knowing what WordCamp offers may encourage you to follow future events, watch session recordings, or become more involved in the wider WordPress community.

Planning Your Visit

If you are considering attending WordCamp US 2026, a little preparation will help you get the most from the experience.

Based on the information available about the event, these are a few practical tips that may help:

• Arriving the day before if possible.
• Wearing comfortable shoes.
• Bringing a reusable water bottle.
• Carrying a notebook or laptop for taking notes.
• Packing business cards if you enjoy networking.
• Downloading the event information before arriving.

Phoenix is known for its hot August temperatures, although the conference itself takes place inside the fully air conditioned Phoenix Convention Center.

One convenient accommodation option is Sheraton Phoenix Downtown, which is within walking distance of the venue.

Pros and Cons

Who Should Attend?

WordCamp US is well suited for:

• Bloggers and content creators
• Freelancers and agencies
• Designers and developers
• WooCommerce store owners
• Small business owners
• Students and beginners
• Anyone interested in WordPress

Whether you have been using WordPress for ten years or installed it last week, there is something to learn.

Frequently Asked Questions

As the creator of Twinkle So Bright, I enjoy sharing practical experiences that help other bloggers, families, and independent creators make informed decisions.

Although I have not yet attended a WordCamp, researching WordCamp US 2026 has given me a much deeper appreciation of the community behind WordPress. My perspective comes from years of publishing real content, solving everyday website challenges, and building a blog step by step from home.

Conclusion

I wrote this article because, until recently, I knew very little about WordCamp myself. After researching more about WordCamp US 2026, I can understand why so many people recommend it, especially for anyone who uses WordPress regularly. Whether you are a blogger, freelancer, developer, or small business owner, it looks like an opportunity to learn something new and meet people who share the same platform. If you are planning to attend, don’t forget to use the discount code AF26 when buying your ticket through the official Tickets – WordCamp US, Phoenix AZ 2026 page. The code saves $20, bringing the general admission ticket from $100 down to $80.