We are glad you’re here. SC has brought the HPC community together since 1988, and today the conference hosts thousands of attendees each year.
Our goal is simple: help you have a great SC. Join us this fall in Chicago for a week of learning, discovery, and the latest in high-performance computing.
Read SC26 General Chair Kevin Hayden’s Welcome Post
Sunday, 15 Nov 2026, 4–5 pm CST
McCormick Place, Room TBD
To help you get started, we host a First-Timers Orientation at the beginning of conference week. You’ll get an overview of what’s happening, tips for navigating the program, and a chance to meet other first-time attendees. The session ends with Q&A and is open to all registered attendees.
Housing Opens
3 JUN 2026
Choose Your Hotel
Registration Opens
8 JUL 2026
Register Early & Save
Housing Closes
10 OCT 2026
Choices Are Limited
Standard Reg Closes
14 OCT 2026
Discounted Rates End
Late Reg Closes
20 NOV 2026
Last Friday of SC
If you’re coming to SC you’ll need a place to stay. Booking your hotel through the authorized contractor for arranging hotel rooms, onPeak, has many advantages. Housing opens 3 June.
Be sure to review the information on the housing page. SC has several room blocks reserved in the vicinity of the convention center, McCormick Place.
Full details regarding registration for SC become available in the weeks before registration officially opens. There will be several categories from which to choose. Registration opens 8 July.
If you’re attending from outside the United States, review the information for visa applications and start your application process early.
Pro Tips
Hotel rooms book up early, so be sure to explore your housing needs as soon as housing opens.
Badges are not mailed in advance. You’ll pick up your badge at registration upon arrival with your government-issued ID.
We recommend picking up your badge the day before your first session so you don’t miss out.
You may register to be at SC in-person, or you may register for Digital Experience only and attend virtually.
SC delivers six days of scientific and engineering achievements featuring leading researchers, engineers, developers, and organizations from around the world.
Exhibitor Reception
First-Timers Orientation
Tutorials
Workshops
Early Career
Grand Opening Gala Reception
HPC Unites Plenary
Student Cluster Competition Kickoff
Gordon Bell Finalist Presentations
Birds of a Feather
Exhibits
Exhibitor Forum
Invited Talks
Keynote
Panels
Papers
Posters Reception
Best Poster Finalist Presentations
Job Fair
Awards Ceremony
Doctoral Showcase Presentations
SC27 Preview
Technical Program Reception
The online schedule is your definitive guide to what’s happening where and when at SC. It is typically launched in late spring, with full program content building through fall.
An online map of the exhibit floor is available now. It contains the most current list of exhibitors and their locations in the convention center, McCormick Place.
The Digital Experience is SC’s custom virtual event platform that is integrated with the conference schedule. Full details will become available when registration launches in July.
The SC26 Mobile App will launch in early November for download to Apple and Android devices.
A printed pocket guide, the Conference at a Glance, will be available at registration when you pick up your badge. It will include session listings and a map of McCormick Place.
A printed folding map of the exhibit floor in detail will also be available at registration.
Flag sessions in the schedule to create your own personalized agenda for your time at SC.
Exhibits are only open Tuesday through Thursday, so make sure you save time on those days to explore them.
The mobile app contains point-to-point navigation to ensure you won’t get lost in McCormick Place.
Catch up on sessions you missed by accessing recorded sessions in the Digital Experience.
A map of the convention center, McCormick Place, will be provided here in late spring.
Our community engagement efforts support specific needs of the SC community, including accessibility, family and child care, programming, art, and other resources for attendees.
IEEE CS Assist & SIGHPC CARES
SC welcomes everyone regardless of gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, race, or religion.
IEEE-CS Assist and the SIGHPC Committee to Aid Reporting on Discrimination and Harassment (CARES) will have an office staffed with representatives where you can seek advice at the SC Conference.
Family Resources
Attendees who bring their children (ages 6 months to 5 years) to SC can avail themselves of child care services while they attend sessions and workshops during the day—registration and fees required. There is also a Parents Room near Child Care. SC celebrates Family Day, inviting attendees to bring their families to the Exhibit Hall on Wednesday, 4–6 pm. Registration of family members is required. Review the information at Family Resources for full details.
Location & Venue
Familiarize yourself with our host city, Chicago. And visit our convention center page for information regarding accessibility and other amenities such as public transportation, parking, coat check, and the quiet room.
We take the well-being of our attendees very seriously. SC’s Code of Conduct contains our policies and commitments to ensure a safe and joyful conference experience for all.
Additionally, use common sense as you would in any large city:
Networking resources are provided free of charge. The wireless network extends to meeting rooms, the exhibit hall, and all common areas of the convention center occupied by SC.
There are two ways to access the network:
If you are involved in or witness harassment of any kind, contact us.
Wear comfortable shoes to SC – there’s a lot of ground to cover with so much to see and do.
Children 6 months and under may be brought into all conference sessions.
Please turn off your MiFi and hotspot devices to improve wireless services for everyone!
What to bring?
Overall, pack as usual for a weeklong trip. We suggest bringing the following:
How do I get to the Convention Center or my hotel?
For traveling from the airport to the convention center, we recommend public transit, airport shuttles, or a taxi/Uber/Lyft.
Is there a shuttle bus service from the hotel to the convention center?
SC provides shuttle bus service from select hotels to and from the convention center. There will not be shuttle service from all hotels as some are within walking distance. In past years, shuttles have run every 15-30 minutes. There will be a shuttle bus map and schedule posted on the Housing & Shuttles page in the summer of 2026.
What sessions can I attend?
Your registration category will determine which sessions you can attend. The technical program registration will give you access to much of what the conference offers, including the keynotes, papers, posters, workshops, and the exhibit hall. If you want more hands-on sessions, we encourage you to also register for tutorials. Attending a variety of sessions is an excellent way to engage with and benefit from the program fully.
When should I register and pick up my badge?
We encourage you to register before arriving at the conference. You may also register in Chicago, but you’ll miss out on savings if you don’t register early. Either way, you will pick up your badge at the registration desk once you arrive at McCormick Place. Details on the location will be shared closer to the conference.
Following the official SC Conference social channels is a great way to stay informed before, during, and after SC.
Each registered attendee receives a ‘Know Before You Go’ email if they have opted in to receive such communications during the registration process.
Signing up below for the monthly SC newsletter is another great way to stay in the SC know.
Our team of volunteers is here to ensure you have a great SC experience. If you have any questions, please contact us:
Sign up to receive the SC newsletter in your inbox.
Information provided is treated in accordance with IEEE and ACM privacy policies.
