Hasbro opens 4th Women Innovators of Play Design Challenge
Hasbro has announced the return of its Women Innovators of Play (WIOP) Design Challenge for a fourth consecutive year, with submissions opening October 15 and closing November 20, 2026.
Submitting an original concept
The challenge invites women of all backgrounds and experience levels to submit an original concept for the next mass-market toy or game. Entries will be evaluated based on innovation, scalability, fun factor and playability, design and aesthetics, and manufacturability. Winners will be announced in early February 2027.
Expanding Women Innovators of Play
Alongside the annual challenge, Hasbro is expanding Women Innovators of Play into a year-round program of in-person networking events in partnership with Women in Toys, Licensing & Entertainment (WiT). The initiative aims to connect women across the toy, gaming, licensing, entertainment and play industries.
Launched in fall 2023, Women Innovators of Play has connected, educated and inspired thousands of women worldwide through its annual design challenge, virtual conferences, digital content and networking opportunities.
In-person events
The expanded program has already included two in-person events in 2026. The first, celebrating “Women Innovators of Magic,” took place on July 22 at Wizards of the Coast’s headquarters in Renton, Washington, in partnership with WiT. The event featured a documentary short, a panel discussion with members of the creative team behind the Magic: The Gathering Secret Lair x Global Fund for Women release, and networking. Proceeds benefited the WiT Foundation Scholarship.
The second event took place in London on October 7 during Brand Licensing Europe, bringing together women from the licensing, entertainment, toy and game industries.
“Seeing the largest crowd in WiT Seattle’s history come together in July, and reconnecting with our global community in London, shows how much women in this industry value real, in-person connection,” said Angelina Castro, executive director of WiT.
How to submit
Submissions for the 2026 Design Challenge are open from October 15 through November 20 at spark.hasbro.com/womeninnovators. Hasbro’s Women Innovators community on LinkedIn has more than 1,400 members.
The broader initiative also includes Hasbro’s Girl Innovators of Play program, anchored in a partnership with Girl Up, a leadership development initiative focused on equity for girls and women in underrepresented spaces.