European Arcade Heritage Day 2026
European Arcade Heritage Day is a new European cultural initiative celebrating classic video game heritage and the historical legacy of the arcade era. Its first edition took place as a coordinated event on 27 June 2026, marking the original release date of Space Invaders in 1978.
The initiative emerged through the European Pixel League and the desire to establish an active European network of video game museums, retrogaming venues and institutions dedicated to digital preservation. MUVIC was part of this first network of confirmed participants.
A joint European initiative
Museums and cultural venues across Europe organised activities on the same day, taking a shared step towards preservation and public engagement.
Space Invaders takes centre stage
The first edition focused on one of the most influential titles in video game history and a symbol of the golden age of arcades.
Shared digital preservation
The project aims to show that preserving video game history is a collective, international and open endeavour.
Objectives
What does the initiative aim to achieve?
What does the initiative aim to achieve?
- Raise awareness of classic video game heritage as part of contemporary European culture.
- Connect museums, associations and retrogaming venues in different countries.
- Coordinate a simultaneous cultural event around a shared historic game.
- Promote public engagement activities accessible to everyone.
- Strengthen digital preservation as a collective responsibility.
How venues took part
Museum activities
Museum activities
The proposal was flexible and adaptable to each institution. An original arcade cabinet was not required: the organisers also provided a playable PC version for demonstrations and audience challenges.
- Historical display: show an arcade machine, a version of the game or a reference to its impact.
- Context: briefly explain why Space Invaders marked a turning point.
- Coordinated activity: share schedules, video greetings and a common activity across museums.
- High-score challenge: organise a Space Invaders high-score competition.
- Shared documentation: share photographs and videos to build a common European account of the event.
European network
Participating museums and venues
Participating museums and venues
For this first edition, the network included confirmed institutions and other museums invited from across Europe. Confirmed participants included:
- Museo del Videogioco Vigamus · Italy
- MUVIC · Museu del Videojoc de Catalunya
- Museu del Joguet de Catalunya
- Retro Computer Museum · United Kingdom
- ArcadeHry Prague · Czech Republic
