Over the course of any given year, we’re treated to a plethora of VR-related events and showcases of games. But few in the industry garner as much hype or anticipation as Meta Connect. The company has announced that Meta Connect 2026 is on the way and has begun teasing what’s in store.
What is Meta Connect?
As you’re probably aware by now, the Connect event has a long history of introducing Meta’s latest technologies. Originally started as Oculus Connect over 10 years ago, it has evolved alongside Meta (now the parent company of Facebook), transitioning from purely VR games and hardware like Oculus Rift, to AI and smart devices.
With Meta Connect now the flagship event (Facebook’s F8 has long since been abandoned), it comprises all aspects of Menlo Park company. And as such, VR isn’t the driving force it once was. However, it still plays a crucial role, nonetheless.
Meta Connect 2026 Agenda
At this stage, Meta has yet to officially reveal most of its agenda. But it has said: “We’ll have an evening keynote and developer sessions where we’ll share the latest in VR, wearables, metaverse, and AI.”
AI is no surprise at the moment, as it’s the hot topic receiving massive amounts of investment. Expect to hear how new models are pushing AI forward, and we should all be using it to improve our lives. Wearables like smart glasses are also a given, considering how popular the Meta Ray-Ban collaboration has been. XRSource would expect new designs at the very least, or possibly a gen-3 model.
As for the ‘Metaverse’, this is a bit of a barbed topic. Having named the parent company after the phrase, the hype has long since subsided. We’re likely to hear about Horizon Worlds, Meta’s big foray into the space, and what’s happening to it on mobile. As previously reported, VR support has slowly been dropped, with only legacy worlds built for Meta Quest being accessible in headset.
When it comes to VR and Meta Quest, this could be the year we hear about the much-fabled Meta Quest 4. Quest 3 launched in 2023, while Quest 3S arrived in 2024, so there’s been enough of a gap now. But while Meta still invests in VR, it’s not doing so at the same rate it once was. And the VR market isn’t the same as it was even three years ago.
Meta Connect 2026 Date
Meta Connect 2026 will take place from 23rd to 24th September 2026.
Once again, it’ll be held at Meta’s campus in Menlo Park, California. where we’ll “get the first glimpse of what’s coming to the next computing platform.”
What are your expectations of Meta Connect 2026? Let us know in the comments.
