Summer Games Done Quick 2026 in Minneapolis starts on July 5

The 2026 event begins tomorrow in Minneapolis. This marathon has raised over $50 million for charity since it started.
By Newsroom | Gaming, Minneapolis |

The Summer Games Done Quick 2026 (SGDQ) event officially commences tomorrow, July 5, in Minneapolis, running through July 11. The marathon functions as a live, week-long broadcast dedicated to high-level speedrunning, with all operations centered on gathering charitable contributions for Doctors Without Borders.

MetricDetail
Event DatesJuly 5 – July 11, 2026
LocationMinneapolis, MN
Primary BroadcastTwitch
ArchiveYouTube

Participation and Viewing

Viewers may access the live feed via the official Twitch channel. The official schedule automatically synchronizes with local time zones to assist those tracking specific showcases. For participants unable to view live segments, the organization maintains a repository of runs on their YouTube presence, typically updated within 24 to 48 hours of a segment's completion.

"To date, Games Done Quick has raised over 50 million dollars for charity. We also average over 3000 people in attendance at our events, including staff, volunteers, runners, and attendees just looking to have fun and support the event!" — Official organizational statement

Programmatic Shifts

The event includes a broad range of gaming content, from traditional speed-demonstrations to specific variations like Randomizers, which alter item placements and game logic to ensure unpredictable outcomes. The 2026 itinerary notably features a Super Mario 64 120 Star TAS (tool-assisted) run, a inclusion that has prompted some debate regarding the place of automated performance versus manual play in a marathon traditionally defined by human controller input.

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Organizational Context

  • Charity Focus: The marathon serves as a global fundraiser.

  • Infrastructure: The event relies on a mix of onsite staff, volunteers, and remote runners.

  • Historical Scale: Having exceeded $50M in lifetime donations, the marathon operates as a significant philanthropic vehicle within the gaming subculture.

The event transitions from static digital schedules to a fluid, viewer-driven broadcast environment. Accessing the official web portal remains the primary method for verification of start times and donation incentives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When does Summer Games Done Quick 2026 start in Minneapolis?
The event officially begins on July 5, 2026, and runs through July 11. It is a live broadcast event held in Minneapolis to raise money for charity.
Q: Where can I watch the Summer Games Done Quick 2026 live stream?
You can watch the full marathon live on the official Games Done Quick Twitch channel. If you miss a segment, the runs are uploaded to their YouTube channel within 48 hours.
Q: Which charity does Summer Games Done Quick 2026 support?
This year's marathon is dedicated to raising funds for Doctors Without Borders. The organization has raised over $50 million for various charities since it began.
Q: What is the controversy with the Super Mario 64 120 Star TAS run?
The 2026 schedule includes a tool-assisted speedrun (TAS), which uses computer software to play the game. This has caused some debate among fans who prefer to see runs performed manually by human players.