The 2026 Red Hat Summit is set to bring the open-source technology community to Atlanta’s Georgia World Congress Center, May 11–14. This year’s event, officially titled “Red Hat Summit and AnsibleFest 2026,” continues the combined format that unites enterprise open-source innovation with deep automation expertise under one roof. The theme “Navigate what’s now. Unlock what’s next” sets the tone for four days of hands-on labs, keynote presentations, technical deep dives, and direct access to Red Hat engineers and ecosystem partners.
Whether you’re a developer, IT architect, or enterprise decision-maker, Red Hat Summit 2026 offers specialized tracks tailored to your role and skill level, with practical sessions designed for real-world application. Attendees can expect concrete solutions to migration and modernization initiatives, hybrid cloud challenges, AI-driven infrastructure, digital sovereignty, automation at scale, and enterprise security alongside meaningful peer networking and certification opportunities.
Event Overview and Essential Details
Dates, Venue, and Registration Information
Red Hat Summit 2026 takes place May 11-14, 2026, at the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC), located at 285 Andrew Young International Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313. One of the largest convention facilities in the United States, GWCC sits at the heart of Atlanta’s downtown entertainment district, steps away from Centennial Olympic Park, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and the Georgia Aquarium.
Registration costs $1,999, with group passes for three or more people at $799 each.
AnsibleFest Integration and Combined Benefits
Red Hat Summit and AnsibleFest 2026 continue the combined format introduced in 2025, giving attendees access to both automation-focused content and the broader open-source technology program in a single event. This means IT professionals no longer need to choose between events, getting comprehensive coverage of Ansible automation alongside OpenShift, AI infrastructure, cloud-native development, and more.
The merged program features dedicated tracks showing how the Ansible Automation Platform works alongside other Red Hat technologies. Technical professionals will find hands-on workshops focused on implementation, while IT decision-makers can attend strategy sessions on scaling automation across hybrid environments.
Technology partners, including Trilio, will demonstrate their Red Hat–compatible solutions during the event, helping attendees understand how best-of-breed technologies combine to create resilient, enterprise-grade infrastructure.
Stop by Booth to learn how Trilio delivers enterprise-grade backup and recovery for OpenShift Virtualization and Kubernetes environments. Speak directly with our experts about your cloud migration and data protection strategy.
Planning Your Summit Experience
A structured approach to Red Hat Summit 2026 ensures that you get the most from Atlanta’s four-day event.
Getting to Atlanta and Navigating the City
Transportation from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is one of the busiest and best-connected airports in the world, with direct flights from virtually every major city. Getting from the airport to the Georgia World Congress Center is straightforward, with several options depending on your budget and schedule.
MARTA Rail: MARTA’s Gold and Red lines connect the airport directly to the GWCC/CNN Center station, which drops you right at the convention campus. The ride takes approximately 20 minutes and costs $2.50 one way. As of spring 2026, MARTA has launched its upgraded “Better Breeze” fare system, so you can now tap a contactless credit or debit card, smartphone, or mobile wallet directly at the faregate without needing a separate transit card. If you prefer a reusable card, new orange Breeze Cards are available at vending machines in the airport station for $2.00 plus fare. Visit itsmarta.com to plan your trip and check schedules.
Ride-sharing: Uber and Lyft rides from ATL to the GWCC area typically run $25–40, depending on demand. Follow airport signage to the designated ride-share pickup zone on the arrivals level.
Taxi: Taxis are available outside the arrivals terminal. Expect to pay approximately $30–35 for the trip to downtown Atlanta.
Navigating Downtown Atlanta
The Georgia World Congress Center sits at the heart of Atlanta’s downtown entertainment district, and most conference-relevant destinations are within walking distance. MARTA’s Gold and Red rail lines both stop at the GWCC/CNN Center station, and local bus routes fill gaps between hotels and the venue. May weather in Atlanta is warm (expect daytime highs in the mid-70s to low 80s °F), so walking between sessions, hotels, and restaurants is comfortable, though you’ll want to stay hydrated and dress in layers for air-conditioned venues.
Pro tip: If you’re staying at a hotel that isn’t within walking distance, MARTA’s contactless tap-to-pay system makes hopping on and off trains effortless. Each trip includes four free transfers within a three-hour window, meaning you can switch between bus and rail without paying extra.
Accommodation Recommendations
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Accommodation Recommendations Near the Georgia World Congress Center
Atlanta offers a wide range of accommodations to suit every attendee’s preferences and budget. Staying near the convention center saves time and keeps you close to conference activities and Atlanta’s downtown entertainment district. Here are some top options.
Connected directly to the Georgia World Congress Center, the Signia by Hilton is the most convenient accommodation for Red Hat Summit 2026 attendees. The 976-room property features eight restaurants and bars, a wellness spa, an outdoor pool, and over 100,000 square feet of meeting space for private discussions with colleagues or partners. Its location puts you steps from Mercedes-Benz Stadium, State Farm Arena, and the Georgia Aquarium, you won’t need to leave the campus to find food, drinks, or entertainment.
Address: 159 Northside Dr. NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
Adjacent to the GWCC campus and connected via the CNN Center complex, the Omni Atlanta is a strong choice for attendees who want proximity without the premium of the Signia. The hotel offers views of Centennial Olympic Park from its upper floors and terrace dining at Top Draft, a sports bar with elevated fare. Multiple on-site dining options (including New South Kitchen for breakfast and Centennial Grounds for coffee) mean you can grab a quick meal without straying far from the conference.
Address: 100 CNN Center, Atlanta, GA 30303
A reliable mid-range option within a short walk of the convention center, the Hilton Garden Inn offers comfortable rooms, a fitness center, and on-site dining. It draws consistent praise from convention attendees for its walkability to the GWCC and nearby restaurants. If you’re looking for a balance between comfort, convenience, and value, this is a solid pick.
Address: 275 Baker St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
Part of Marriott’s lifestyle brand, the Moxy brings a modern, social-forward vibe that appeals to the developer and DevOps crowd. The open-plan lobby doubles as a bar and coworking space, useful for informal networking after hours. Located within walking distance of the GWCC and Centennial Olympic Park, it’s one of the more affordable downtown options without sacrificing style or location.
Address: 260 Centennial Olympic Park Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
Budget-Friendly Options
If you’re looking to save on accommodation, consider these alternatives:
- Hyatt Place Atlanta / Centennial Park: A walkable option near the GWCC with complimentary breakfast, a rooftop pool, and reliable service at a lower price point than the full-service properties.
- SpringHill Suites Atlanta Downtown: An all-suite hotel offering extra space and a complimentary breakfast. A good choice for attendees who want room to spread out and prep for sessions.
Book your hotel as soon as possible. Summit room blocks sell out quickly, and rates near the venue rise significantly as the event approaches.
Atlanta's Top Dining Spots Near the GWCC
Atlanta's Top Dining Spots Near the GWCC
The downtown neighborhood surrounding the Georgia World Congress Center offers a wide range of dining options, from quick bites between sessions to upscale restaurants for client dinners.
Der Biergarten
A German beer hall and outdoor garden within a three-minute walk of the GWCC. With communal tables, a massive beer selection, and hearty German fare (bratwurst, schnitzel, pretzels) Der Biergarten is the go-to spot for unwinding after a full day of sessions. The outdoor seating is especially appealing in Atlanta’s warm May evenings.
Address: 300 Marietta St NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
No Mas! Cantina
Located about four blocks from the convention campus, No Mas! serves Mexican fare in a space filled with artisan-crafted décor, a 50-foot travertine bar, and an expansive outdoor patio. It’s well suited for team outings or casual post-session drinks, and the margaritas are a known draw.
Address: 180 Walker St SW, Atlanta, GA 30313
Ted’s Montana Grill
Founded by Atlanta media mogul Ted Turner, Ted’s Montana Grill is an iconic Atlanta dining destination. Everything is fresh and made from scratch, with bison burgers and steaks as signature items. The atmosphere is polished but not stuffy. A good fit for business dinners or team meals where you want something more refined than a sports bar.
Address: 133 Luckie St NW, Atlanta, GA 30303
Atlanta Breakfast Club
THE breakfast and brunch spot in downtown Atlanta. Expect a line (it’s that popular) but the Southern-style breakfast plates, chicken and waffles, and freshly baked pastries are worth the wait. Get here early on session mornings, ideally before 8 AM, to beat the crowd and fuel up for the day’s keynotes.
Address: 249 Ivan Allen Jr Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
Capolinea
An upscale Italian restaurant near Mercedes-Benz Stadium with handmade pastas, expertly grilled steaks, and sunset views of the downtown skyline. Capolinea features a private dining room seating about 25, making it a strong choice for hosting partner meetings or team celebrations. Service is attentive, and the atmosphere strikes the right balance between business-appropriate and relaxed.
Address: 325 Andrew Young International Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
Nest on Four (inside Signia by Hilton)
If you don’t want to leave the conference campus, Nest on Four inside the Signia by Hilton is a chef-driven sports bar with elevated takes on stadium favorites (lemon pepper wings, smash burgers, signature cocktails) and 30+ TVs. The outdoor dining terrace overlooks the downtown entertainment district. It’s been named one of Atlanta’s best sports bars by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and the convenience factor for summit attendees can’t be beat.
Address: Inside Signia by Hilton, 159 Northside Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30313
For a comprehensive list of nearby restaurants, check out Discover Atlanta’s guide: Where to Eat Near Georgia World Congress Center.
Must-Visit Booths and Sessions
Red Hat Summit 2026 features lots of exhibitors and hundreds of sessions. With that volume, going in with a plan saves you from wandering the expo floor or sitting in the wrong breakout room. Here’s a focused guide to the booths and sessions worth prioritizing.
Plan your daily schedule around the keynote presentations, then layer in specific technical sessions and hands-on labs. Use the Red Hat Summit 2026 session catalog to build your personal agenda and reserve your seats.
Also, don’t miss the Innovation Theater (Discovery Theaters 1–4) inside the expo hall. Quick-format 20-minute lightning talks run throughout each day and are a time-efficient way to evaluate solutions between main sessions.
Stop by Trilio at Booth to learn how Trilio delivers enterprise-grade backup and recovery for OpenShift Virtualization and Kubernetes environments. Speak directly with our experts about your cloud migration and data protection strategy.
Recommended Sessions
Session | When | Where | Type | Why Attend |
Day 1 Keynote — Red Hat CEO, CTO, and Chief Product Officer | Tue, May 12, 8:30–10:00 AM | Hall B4 – Level 1 | Keynote | Red Hat uses keynotes for major product announcements. Don’t skip. |
Day 2 Keynote — featuring an architect from NASA and a general manager from Nissan | Wed, May 13, 8:30–10:00 AM | Hall B4 – Level 1 | Keynote | Real-world customer stories from aerospace and automotive |
Product Spotlight: How Red Hat AI operationalizes the full AI stack, from metal to agent | Tue, May 12, 11:00 AM–12:00 PM | Sidney Marcus Auditorium – Building A, Level 4 | Product spotlight | Deep dive into Red Hat’s hybrid enterprise AI platform — new session type for 2026 |
Product Spotlight: Red Hat OpenShift — featuring the President of IT at UPS | Wed, May 13, 11:00 AM–12:00 PM | Sidney Marcus Auditorium – Building A, Level 4 | Product spotlight | OpenShift roadmap and enterprise deployment insights |
Red Hat OpenShift Virtualization 2026 Roadmap | Wed, May 13, 11:00 AM–12:00 PM | B407 – Level 4 | Product roadmap | If you’re planning a VMware migration, this lays out the path forward |
Modernization in motion: Visa’s journey with Red Hat OpenShift Virtualization | Tue, May 12, 11:45 AM–12:25 PM | B409 – Level 4 | Breakout | How Visa achieved business resilience, agility, and cost efficiency through VM modernization |
Charting a new course: The U.S. Navy’s migration journey with OpenShift Virtualization | Mon, May 11, 2:15–2:55 PM | B314 – Level 3 | Breakout | Reducing dependency on VMware and Nutanix, cutting costs |
From virtualization pressure to optimized, automated operations — Cleveland Clinic | Wed, May 13, 2:15–2:55 PM | B316 – Level 3 | Breakout | How Cleveland Clinic used OpenShift Virtualization to modernize its data center operating model |
Designing for resilience on Red Hat OpenShift: Avoiding costly re-architecture — Veeam Kasten | Tue, May 12, 10:30–11:10 AM | B314 – Level 3 | Breakout | Data resilience as a platform design concern — outages, deletions, ransomware, compliance |
Accelerating infrastructure modernization with Red Hat OpenShift Virtualization | Tue, May 12, 10:30 AM–12:00 PM | A315 – Level 3 | Lab | Hands-on: bringing VMs and containers together on a single platform |
90-minute network rebuilds: How TD Bank transformed 1,300 branch networks at scale with Red Hat | Wed, May 13, 11:45 AM–12:25 PM | B310 – Level 3 | Breakout | Fully automated rebuild of 25,000 network devices in 90 business days |
Faster intelligent decisions: AIOps at SAP with Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform | Wed, May 13, 2:15–2:55 PM | B408 – Level 4 | Breakout | SAP’s collaboration with Red Hat and IBM to build intelligent automated workflows |
Code red: The breach challenge! | Tue, May 12, 10:30 AM–12:00 PM | A312 – Level 3 | Lab | Immersive DevSecOps capture-the-flag experience — competitive, hands-on |
Accelerating AI workloads with Red Hat AI and IBM Fusion | Tue, May 12, 3:30–5:00 PM | A314 – Level 3 | Lab | Hands-on: deploy and manage AI workloads using GPU-accelerated compute within OpenShift |
Late-Night Labs — rerun of the week’s most popular labs in a competition-style format | Tue, May 12, evening | TBA | Lab | New for 2026. Missed a trending lab during the day? Catch it here in a fun after-hours format |
Reserve your seats via the session catalog as soon as possible — popular labs fill up fast. Use the Red Hat Summit mobile app to build your personal agenda and get real-time room change notifications.
Networking and Exhibition Highlights
The Red Hat Summit 2026 exhibition area serves as a central meeting point where attendees discover new technologies, build professional connections, and explore technical partnerships.
Expo Hall Features and Partner Pavilion
Atlanta’s GWCC provides expansive exhibition space for technology demonstrations and partner showcases. The Partner Pavilion features integrations from leading cloud providers, including AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure, as well as dozens of solution providers showcasing their OpenShift and Ansible integrations. The expo floor is a practical resource for evaluating tools and building relationships with building vendors.
Trilio representatives will be available throughout the event at Booth, ready to discuss data protection, backup and recovery, and application migration across cloud-native environments.
Beyond the Summit: Entertainment and Cultural Attractions
Red Hat Summit 2026 takes place during one of the best times to visit Atlanta. May temperatures are typically in the mid-70s to low 80s°F, making it comfortable to explore the city on foot between sessions. Consider packing business casual clothes for conference events and a light jacket for air-conditioned venues and evening outings.
Catch a Braves Game
The Atlanta Braves host the Chicago Cubs at Truist Park on May 12–14 — dates that overlap directly with the summit. Evening games are a great way to experience Atlanta’s sports culture after the conference wraps for the day. Truist Park is located in the Battery Atlanta complex in Cobb County, about a 20-minute Uber ride from the GWCC (MARTA doesn’t directly serve the stadium, so ride-sharing is your best bet).
Georgia Aquarium
Steps from the GWCC, the Georgia Aquarium is one of the largest aquariums in the world and a must-visit if you have an hour to spare between sessions. Home to whale sharks, beluga whales, and manta rays, it’s an impressive experience even if you’re not typically an aquarium person. Tickets can be purchased in advance online.
World of Coca-Cola
Adjacent to Centennial Olympic Park and within walking distance of the GWCC, the World of Coca-Cola tells the story of the world’s most famous beverage brand. The tasting room, where you can sample Coca-Cola products from around the world, is the highlight.
Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site
About a 15-minute drive east of the GWCC (or a quick Uber), the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site includes Dr. King’s childhood home, Ebenezer Baptist Church, and The King Center. Free admission. An essential piece of American history and one of Atlanta’s most important cultural landmarks.
SkyView Atlanta
For a quick break or a unique photo opportunity, the SkyView Atlanta Ferris wheel sits in Centennial Olympic Park, directly adjacent to the GWCC. A ride takes about 15 minutes and offers panoramic views of the downtown skyline.
Professional Development Opportunities
Red Hat Summit 2026 offers certification testing on-site at Certification Central. Attendees can pursue credentials, including Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE), Red Hat Certified Specialist in OpenShift Administration, and Ansible Automation certifications. Preparation sessions are available before exams, with qualified instructors on hand to support candidates throughout the process.
Certification Type | Duration | Focus Area |
RHCE | 3.5 hours | System Administration |
OpenShift Administration | 4 hours | Container Platform Management |
Ansible Automation | 4 hours | Infrastructure Automation |
Conclusion
Red Hat Summit 2026 brings together the open-source technology community for four intensive days in Atlanta. With 400+ sessions and labs, Ecosystem Success Day, Community Day, and the combined AnsibleFest program, it’s the most comprehensive enterprise open-source event of the year. Whether you’re looking to build hands-on skills, explore new technologies, earn certifications, or connect with industry peers, Red Hat Summit and AnsibleFest 2026 deliver on all fronts.
Don’t wait for show-day surprises. Register, book your hotel, and build your schedule now to make the most of everything Atlanta has to offer.
Contact us before the summit to arrange a meeting about protecting your cloud-native applications and ensuring business continuity across your hybrid infrastructure.
FAQs
What is Red Hat Summit 2026, and where is it being held?
Red Hat Summit 2026, officially Red Hat Summit and AnsibleFest 2026, is the premier enterprise open-source technology conference, taking place May 11-14, 2026, at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. The event brings together over 6,600 IT professionals, developers, architects, and open-source community members from more than 1,800 companies worldwide.
What's new at Red Hat Summit 2026 compared to previous years?
Red Hat Summit 2026 introduces late-night labs, a competitive after-hours format for hands-on technical training, alongside the continued AnsibleFest integration and an expanded Ecosystem Success Day for partners. The session catalog now spans 40+ topics across 15+ industries, offering more targeted tracks for specific roles and use cases than ever before.
What certifications can I earn at Red Hat Summit 2026?
Attendees at Red Hat Summit 2026 can pursue several Red Hat certifications on-site, including Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE), OpenShift Administration, and Ansible Automation credentials. Certification Central provides testing facilities and preparation sessions, with qualified instructors available throughout the event.
How do I get to the Georgia World Congress Center for Red Hat Summit 2026?
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the primary gateway, with MARTA rail service connecting directly to the GWCC/Omni station at the convention campus. Several hotels are adjacent to or within walking distance of the venue, including Signia by Hilton Atlanta and the Omni Atlanta Hotel.
What should I do if I can't attend Red Hat Summit 2026 in person?
For those unable to attend in person, Red Hat makes summit content available post-event via Red Hat TV. After subscribing to the platform (at no cost), attendees can access session recordings, keynote presentations, and technical materials from Red Hat Summit 2026 for a period following the event.
