10 Top QA Conferences to Attend in 2026-2027 Worldwide
QA conferences are your gateway to staying relevant in a fast-changing industry. They’re where you learn from peers, address challenges in quality assurance, and connect with others tackling the same issues. Whether it’s sharpening your skills, finding new tools, or hearing about emerging trends, these events offer a lot for professional development.
This article covers the top QA conferences in 2026-2027, focusing on the needs of tech experts. You’ll find options to match your goals, including knowledge sharing, problem-solving, and expanding your network. Let’s get started!
Best QA Conferences Shortlist
Here's my shortlist of the best QA conferences in 2026-2027:
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- Testing Talks - Multiple locations and dates
- Testμ Conference - Virtual (August 19-21, 2026)
- STAR Software Testing Conference - Multiple locations and dates
- MoTaCon - Brighton, UK (October 1, 2026)
- ICSTM - New York, NY (October 5-6, 2026)
- HUSTEF - Budapest, Hungary (October 6-8, 2026)
- TestCon Europe - Vilnius, Lithuania (October 21-23, 2026)
- AutomationSTAR - Antwerp, Belgium (November 4-5, 2026)
- Agile Testing Days 2026 - Potsdam, Germany & Virtual (November 16-19, 2026)
- Testing United 2026 - Copenhagen, Denmark (November 25-26, 2026)
Find more details about each conference below.
Best QA Conferences of 2026-2027
Below are my summaries of the best QA conferences that made it onto my shortlist. My reviews offer a look at each event’s dates, location, pricing, and unique offerings.
1. Testing Talks - Multiple locations and dates
- Dates: Multiple dates (see table below)
- Location: Multiple locations (see table below)
- Pricing: AU$400
- Social Media: LinkedIn, Facebook
Testing Talks: Locations & Dates
| Location | Date |
|---|---|
| Sydney, Australia | August 6, 2026 |
| Melbourne, Australia | October 8, 2026 |
Testing Talks is an engaging conference aimed at software testers and QA professionals. It has grown into a regular fixture in Australia’s testing scene since its first event in 2015. Each edition features practical talks, panel discussions, and vendor showcases tailored to testing and delivery teams.
"An amazing day at #TestingTalksConference! A huge thank you to Cameron Bradley for organising such a thoughtful and engaging event. I really enjoyed connecting with so many practice leaders; hearing how each is shaping their testing strategy, both with and without AI, was incredibly insightful."
- Vanaj Vidhya Renuha - Test Manager
Why attend? You’ll get targeted talks from professionals solving real-world testing challenges in startups, scale-ups, and enterprises. The conference keeps things fast-paced and accessible, with plenty of networking built in between sessions.
You and your team can meet local practitioners, share strategies, and catch up on the latest tools and techniques—all in a single day. It’s a focused, local alternative to larger, more general tech conferences.
2. Testμ Conference - Virtual (August 19-21, 2026)
Testμ Conference is a virtual event aimed at software testers, developers, and QA professionals. Organized by LambdaTest, it has quickly gained popularity for its focus on emerging trends and technologies in testing.
Why attend? The conference offers you and your team a unique opportunity to engage with cutting-edge software testing topics without leaving your desk. It includes interactive sessions, expert-led discussions, and networking opportunities, all designed to enhance your testing skills and knowledge.
This gathering is a chance to explore the future of testing and connect with a global community of professionals.
3. STAR Software Testing Conference - Multiple locations and dates
- Dates: Multiple dates (see table below)
- Location: Multiple locations (see table below)
- Pricing: Varied (see table below)
- Social Media: LinkedIn
STAR Software Testing Conference: Locations, Dates, & Pricing
| Location | Date | Pricing |
|---|---|---|
| Anaheim, CA & Virtual | September 20-25, 2026 | From $699 (virtual)-$3,945 (in-person) |
| Orlando, FL & Virtual | April 25-30, 2027 | TBA |
The STAR Software Testing Conference is a long-running QA conference series organized by TechWell, covering both STAREast and STARWest editions. Designed for test engineers, QA managers, and software developers, these events explore testing strategies, tools, leadership, automation, and agile practices.
Why attend? You’ll get access to structured learning through keynotes, in-depth tutorials, and hands-on sessions. The conferences balance traditional talks with training and networking opportunities in testing leadership, test automation, and agile quality.
Each formats offer clear tracks so your team can focus on the areas most relevant to your work. Live demos, peer discussions, and tech-focused sessions make it a strong pick for QA professionals seeking actionable takeaways.
4. MoTaCon - Brighton, UK (October 1, 2026)
- Dates: October 1, 2026
- Location: Brighton Dome
- Pricing: Starts at $499.99 + TAX
- Social Media: LinkedIn
MoTaCon, previously known as TestBash Brighton, is a premier conference for software testing professionals. Put on by Ministry of Testing, it serves as a gathering for quality-focused individuals seeking to enhance their skills and network with peers.
The event is a staple for testers, offering a rich agenda filled with insightful talks and workshops.
Why attend? You and your team can explore the latest testing trends and innovations at MoTaCon. The conference provides a collaborative environment where you can engage with experts and like-minded professionals.
Whether you're looking to learn new skills or connect with the community, it offers a comprehensive experience that caters to all levels of software testing expertise.
5. ICSTM 2026 - New York, NY (October 5-6, 2026)
- Dates: October 5-6, 2026
- Location: New York, USA
- Pricing: €300
- Social Media: LinkedIn
The International Conference on Software Testing and Methods (ICSTM) 2026 is an esteemed conference for researchers, academics, and practitioners in software testing and methodologies. Put on by the World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology, it provides a platform for presenting new research and developments. Notable for its academic focus, the conference draws speakers from leading universities and research institutions.
Why attend? Attending ICSTM offers your team exposure to cutting-edge research and methodologies in software testing. It's an opportunity to engage with academics and industry experts, fostering collaboration and innovation.
The conference's focus on research makes it ideal for those interested in the theoretical aspects of software testing and its practical applications.
6. HUSTEF - Budapest, Hungary (October 6-8, 2026)
- Dates: October 6-8, 2026
- Location: Eiffel Art Studios
- Pricing: Starts at €795 excl. 27% VAT
- Social Media: LinkedIn
HUSTEF is one of Central Europe's largest software testing events that brings together QA engineers, developers, and test managers from across the region for three days of sessions, panels, and community interaction. It focuses on sharing advancements in software quality and promoting the professional testing community.
Why attend? At HUSTEF, you’ll join over 750 attendees worldwide in exploring testing techniques, tools, and industry case studies. Sessions focus on both foundational methods and modern approaches tied to digital products. The event creates space for idea-sharing across industries, with opportunities to learn from practical experience in a focused format.
7. TestCon Europe - Vilnius, Lithuania (October 21-23, 2026)
- Dates: October 21-23, 2026
- Location: Simbiocity Nova & Forum Cinemas Vingis
- Pricing: From €1,350 excl. VAT
- Social Media: Facebook
TestCon Europe is a prominent software testing and QA conference in Europe, designed for industry professionals seeking to enhance their skills and knowledge. Since its inception, it has provided a platform for sharing insights and innovations in testing.
The event features a lineup of expert speakers, including Adam Sandman, CEO and Founder at Inflectra, USA; Ana Palchevska, Senior QA Engineer and Team Lead at VASS, North Macedonia; and Benjamin Bischoff, Test Automation Engineer and API Testing Specialist at trivago N.V., Germany.
Why attend? Attending TestCon Europe allows you and your team to dive into the latest trends in test automation, AI-driven testing, and more. It offers a rich program with sessions and workshops tailored to various skill levels.
The conference is an excellent opportunity to network with peers and learn from industry experts in a dynamic environment.
8. AutomationSTAR - Antwerp, Belgium (November 4-5, 2026)
- Dates: November 4-5, 2026
- Location: A Room with a ZOO
- Pricing: €1,190
- Social Media: LinkedIn
AutomationSTAR is a specialized conference for professionals in test automation. It’s designed for those looking to deepen their understanding of software testing automation. The event features a lineup of expert speakers who provide valuable insights and hands-on experience.
Why attend? This gathering offers your team a chance to explore the latest in test automation technologies and methodologies. It includes interactive workshops, keynote sessions, and networking opportunities, making it a must-attend for anyone involved in automation.
Gain practical knowledge and connect with fellow professionals to enhance your automation skills.
9. Agile Testing Days 2026 - Potsdam, Germany (November 16-19, 2026)
- Dates: November 16-19, 2026
- Location: Dorint Hotel Potsdam
- Pricing: From €499 (virtual)-€3,450 (in-person)
- Social Media: LinkedIn
Agile Testing Days is a flagship European QA conference organized by trendig GmbH, running since 2008. It's built for testers, QA engineers, and agile coaches. Keynote speakers for 2026 include Elisabeth Hendrickson, Keith Klain, and Tariq King.
Why attend? ATD blends 100+ sessions across keynotes, workshops, and full-day tutorials spanning AI, security testing, DevOps, and agile practices. The community atmosphere sets it apart — past attendees consistently describe it as the most welcoming conference in the testing world.
10. Testing United 2026 - Copenhagen, Denmark
(November 25-26, 2026)
- Dates: November 25-26, 2026
- Location: D15 Hybridmøde
- Pricing: From €890-€1,290 excl. VAT
- Social Media: LinkedIn, Facebook
Testing United is a QA conference organized by Krone Consulting, built for testers, test managers, and QA engineers. The 2026 theme is "United Intelligence: Harmonizing Humans & Machines," with 18 international speakers tackling AI-driven quality engineering.
Why attend? The conference blends keynote talks, hands-on workshops, and case studies focused on integrating AI into QA practice. It also serves as a networking hub for professionals across IT, automotive, and banking — making it a strong pick if you want cross-industry perspective alongside technical depth.
How to Get Buy-In to Attend a QA Conference
Convincing your boss or other decision-makers to approve your attendance at a QA conference can feel like a challenge. They might see it as an unnecessary expense or question the value it brings to the team.
However, with the right approach, you can show how attending a QA conference will benefit your work, your team, and the company. Here are some tips to help you make your case:
- Focus on company benefits: Highlight how the conference will help you find solutions to current challenges your team is facing. For example, mention specific sessions on automation tools or methodologies that align with your team’s goals.
- Create a learning plan: Share how you’ll bring back what you learn. Offer to present a summary or host a training session for your team after the event. This shows that the knowledge won’t stop with you.
- Connect it to company goals: Tie the conference agenda to broader company objectives, like improving software quality or reducing testing cycle times. Explain how attending can help you meet those goals faster.
- Show cost-effectiveness: Break down the costs and compare them to the potential value, such as avoiding delays or improving processes. Include early-bird discounts or bundled deals if you can find early-bird discounts or bundled deals.
- Use real examples. Point out success stories from peers or companies in your industry that have benefited from attending similar conferences. This helps justify the investment with proven results.
- Highlight networking opportunities: Explain how meeting industry leaders and peers at the conference could lead to new tools, ideas, or partnerships. Networking can benefit the company in ways that aren’t immediately obvious.
- Offer to track ROI: Commit to documenting takeaways and how you apply them to your work. Share examples like adopting a new tool you learn about or improving a workflow after attending a session.
- Be flexible with scheduling: If necessary, suggest taking care of high-priority tasks before you leave or attending only key days of the conference. This shows you’re being mindful of the team’s needs.
By framing your request in terms of tangible value, you’ll make a strong case for why attending a QA conference is worth the investment.
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