TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 Side Event Applications Close Tonight

Key points

• Applications to host a Side Event at TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 close tonight at midnight Pacific Time.
• Disrupt week runs October 10 to 16, 2026, in San Francisco, with more than 10,000 attendees expected.
• Approved hosts receive placement in TechCrunch's official app, agenda, attendee emails and social channels.
• Hosts can offer their network a 25% ticket discount to the main conference.
• All logistics and costs remain the responsibility of the hosting organisation; acceptance is not guaranteed.

If your company has been thinking about hosting an event alongside one of the tech industry's largest annual gatherings, tonight is the last chance to put your name in.

TechCrunch Disrupt 2026 occupies a full week in San Francisco, from October 10 to 16. Alongside the main conference floor, organisers run a Side Events programme: independently planned gatherings, such as happy hours, workshops, panels or meetups, that carry the Disrupt brand's stamp of approval. Applications for that programme shut at midnight Pacific Time tonight.

What does an approved Side Event actually get you?

Approved hosts gain visibility through TechCrunch's official channels. That means a listing in the conference app, a spot on the agenda and Side Events page, mentions in attendee emails, coverage in a TechCrunch article, and promotion across the outlet's social accounts. Hosts also receive a 25% discount code to share with their own community, giving guests a concrete reason to attend the wider conference.

The appeal is reach. TechCrunch puts the expected headcount at more than 10,000 founders, investors and technology leaders converging on the Bay Area that week.

What does hosting actually cost, and who gets in?

All logistics and all costs fall to the host. TechCrunch reviews every application, and submission does not guarantee a spot. The events team makes the final call on which proposals join the official programme.

The format is flexible. A cocktail reception, a closed-door workshop, a public panel: the shape of the event is the host's choice, as long as it fits within Disrupt week.

For organisations that want a presence in the San Francisco tech scene without building a standalone conference, the Side Events model is a practical middle ground. You plan the event; TechCrunch handles the visibility layer.

For those who simply want to attend rather than host, standard conference tickets currently carry a discount of up to $200, though TechCrunch notes that rate increases on September 25.

Common questions

Who should apply to host a Side Event?

Any company, community group or individual that wants to reach the Disrupt audience and can cover its own venue and production costs. Startups, investors and established tech firms all appear in past programmes.

Is acceptance automatic once you apply?

No. Every application goes through a review by the TechCrunch events team. You must receive approval before your event appears in any official Disrupt materials.

What happens if I miss tonight's deadline?

The Side Events application window closes at midnight Pacific Time and there is no indication of an extension. Attending the main conference as a ticket holder remains an option, with discounted rates available before September 25.