August 20, 2026 — Every WordCamp needs a great send-off, and this year, we’re doing it the way our community actually talks to each other: two chairs, a real conversation, and a room full of people who get it. Think of it less like a keynote and more like the best hallway conversation of the week, just given a mic and a stage. The conversation we’ve all been having comes to the big stage. WordPress is evolving alongside AI, changing user expectations, and a rapidly shifting web. How do we keep open source thriving? What should we hold onto? What needs to change? And where do we go from here? That’s what this conversation is about. Not prepared talking points, but an honest discussion between two people who’ve spent decades helping shape, support, and steward the WordPress ecosystem from different perspectives. Even better, it doesn’t end on stage. The final 30 minutes belong to the community, with live audience Q&A. Two perspectives shaped by decades in open source. Ma.tt Mullenweg has helped guide the project since co-founding WordPress more than twenty years ago, while also leading Automattic and its portfolio of products supporting publishing, commerce, and the open web. Robert Jacobi has spent his career guiding organizations build, secure, and scale open source technologies, contributing across hosting, infrastructure, community leadership, and digital strategy. Together, they bring two distinct perspectives on the opportunities, challenges, and decisions shaping WordPress today. It’s a conversation grounded in years of experience, but one that’s ultimately about where the project goes from here and what that means for everyone building with it. The best conversations don’t end when the session does. By the time Wednesday afternoon arrives, you’ll have spent four days learning new skills, meeting people from across the community, and sharing ideas that continue long after the event ends. This conversation is a chance to zoom out and connect those experiences to the bigger picture. Expect an honest discussion about open source, the evolving web, AI, community, and the future of WordPress. Then, the conversation opens up to you. The final 30 minutes are dedicated to audience Q&A, giving you the opportunity to ask questions, share perspectives, and be part of the discussion that closes out WordCamp US 2026.

August 6, 2026 — This video provides a comprehensive walkthrough of the newly redesigned WordPress Playground user interface. The update introduces a streamlined, customizable Dock UI that gives you faster access to essential developer tools with fewer clicks. Throughout the demo, you will see how to leverage the new auto-save functionality to prevent data loss, use the minimal view for clean presentations, and easily manage multiple saved Playgrounds using the new live visual previews. The interface also makes it incredibly simple to start new instances, import projects from GitHub or Zip files, and preview Pull Requests directly from WordPress Core and Gutenberg.
Beyond the layout improvements, the video dives into the powerful built-in development tools available right inside your browser. You will learn how to navigate the drag-and-drop file editor, manage your database, check error logs, and seamlessly switch between PHP and WordPress versions—including historical releases dating back to version 0.7. The walkthrough also covers the quick export options that allow you to download your work, share a link, or push your project to GitHub. Community collaboration is highly valued, and you are encouraged to share your feedback on the Make WordPress Playground blog or in the #playground channel on the Making WordPress Slack.

June 6, 2026

April 21, 2026 — Gratitude cycle: A perspective of giving back in your own way for the benefits you receive from open source.

February 16, 2026 — WordCamps and Meetups are where the WordPress community comes to life — face-to-face, beyond the screen.

This talk explores why these events still matter, how they’re being organised today, and the impact they have on individuals and the wider project.

Whether you’re a first-timer or seasoned contributor, you’ll leave with insight, inspiration, and maybe even the spark to get involved in organising or supporting events in your community.

December 3, 2025 — State of the Word is the annual keynote address celebrating the progress of the open source WordPress project and offering a glimpse into its future. This year’s event takes place on December 2, 2025, at 8:00 PM UTC from San Francisco. From local stories to global growth, WordPress leadership highlighted the platform’s strengths, roadmap milestones, and vibrant community.

Watch with us as WordPress enthusiasts and newcomers from around the world came together for this unforgettable annual celebration.

Presentation Slides »

November 13, 2025 — WordPress 6.9 is approaching, and we are in a crucial phase of shipping the last major version in 2025. I’m talking about the testing phase, and do you know that you can contribute to WordPress Core without any special setup?

In this video, I demonstrate how WordPress Playground enables you to access the latest beta or RC version via a direct link. You can test the new features scheduled for 6.9, and check if your Plugins and Themes are compatible with the next WordPress release.

You can apply the same process to future WordPress major releases

November 10, 2025 — Join WordPress co-founder Matt Mullenweg for a live Town Hall session at WordCamp Canada. This is your chance to connect directly with the person who helped start it all, as Matt takes questions from the community and shares his perspective on the future of WordPress, open source, and the evolving web.

Expect an open, wide-ranging conversation touching on topics like AI, Gutenberg, the power of the community, and what’s next for WordPress in a changing digital landscape.

Come curious, come ready to ask questions, and come be part of the dialogue that continues to shape the platform we all build on.

September 3, 2025

June 10, 2025 — An In-person Q&A with WordPress Co-Founder Matt Mullenweg