TEDxPlay
TEDxPlay is a license for TEDx events centered on streaming TED Talks from Play@TED, a brand-new, invitation-only event taking place May 14, 2026. The event explores the role and importance of play in our lives — from its transformative power, to play as a lifelong mindset, to the way imagination helps us see new possibilities. Through TEDxPlay, communities around the world are invited to explore these ideas through a local lens, pairing curated TED Talks from Play@TED with locally relevant perspectives and programming.
TEDxPlay licenses are offered for a limited time. Please review the guidelines below before applying.
About this event type
- Choose your date: TEDxPlay events can take place from May 22, 2026 to May 22, 2027.
- Curate your program: You can choose to only feature TED Talks from Play@TED, or add in your own curated local talks. Licensees will receive streaming instructions and access to the talks on TED Live.
→ Learn more - Why TEDxPlay? With ready-made talks, a customizable Design Kit and an Action Toolkit with offstage program ideas, this license is a great choice for first-time organizers, or as an addition to your other events.
- All TEDx rules apply to a TEDxPlay event, with some exceptions listed below.
More on this event type:
Naming your event
If this is your first license, your TEDxPlay event name will follow this convention: a name beginning with "TEDx," followed by the name of your city, school, neighborhood or organization, followed by the word "Play." Organizers who already have a standard license: use your existing event's name as the basis for your TEDxPlay event name (ex: TEDxLagos Play)
Dates
TEDxPlay events can take place from May 22, 2026 - May 22, 2027.
Content and streaming
Choose to showcase only TED Talks and performances from the Play@TED event, or curate your own local talks and performances in addition.
You'll have access to stream all TED content from the Play@TED event for your in-person audience, on demand, exclusively through the TED Live platform. Streaming instructions will be provided once your license is approved.
Please note: TED content can only be shared with an in-person audience, you’re not permitted to stream any TED content through online platforms.
Audience
Your audience should reflect the local community where your TEDxPlay event takes place. This may include people who have attended previous TEDx events you’ve organized, or new people in your community. We encourage organizers to thoughtfully curate their audience, bringing together a diverse group of individuals who can meaningfully contribute to the conversation.
You may not host a virtual TEDxPlay event.
Size
TEDxPlay events that feature only content from the Play@TED event — that is, no live speakers — may have more than 100 attendees. Events that feature local speakers in addition to TED content can have up to 100 attendees (with the exception of events organized by licensees with their 100+ qualification, which can have more than 100 attendees).
Theme
You may determine the specific focus of your TEDxPlay event. However, because your program will feature talks from the Play@TED event, we encourage you to incorporate its core themes — how play transforms the way we learn and connect, how it shapes a mindset of curiosity at every age, and how imagination helps us see new possibilities.
If you include your own live speakers in your program, consider featuring a diversity of people from across several disciplines who primarily come from the local community you’re serving.
TED will also provide a customizable design kit for your team to use for your event.
Pricing
The ticket price you may charge to cover event expenses depends on your Licensing Tier. For example, events organized by a Community tier licensee may charge up to $150 USD per ticket.
If you have any questions, please reach out to tedx@ted.com or ask TEDxAssist, an independently-created AI tool just for TEDx organizers. This link takes you outside of TED.com.