Xbox pushes forward with its global FanFest celebration even after laying off the employee who originally created the community event. Following a recent round of major corporate restructuring, Microsoft has confirmed that the 25th-anniversary community tour will proceed across multiple international cities.
Quick Facts
- New Development: An Xbox Wire blog post published on August 3, 2026, titled “Celebrating 25 Years of Play,” announced six new tour dates for Xbox FanFest.
- Key Personnel Affected: Chris Munson, the creator of Xbox FanFest, was among the 3,200 employees laid off during Xbox's July restructuring after 15 and a half years at the company.
- Tour Locations: The upcoming fan-first events are scheduled for Tokyo, London, Mexico City, Sydney, and Toronto, following prior stops in Los Angeles and upcoming appearances at Gamescom.
The Return of FanFest Amid Restructuring
Back in March, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma announced that Xbox FanFest would return to recognize long-time players. However, in July, Sharma announced that 3,200 Xbox employees would lose their jobs in what was described as the most significant restructure in Xbox history. Chris Munson announced his departure via LinkedIn on July 6, confirming he was one of the affected staff members.
Despite the departure of its creator, the multi-city tour is moving ahead. Players interested in attending can currently enter sweepstakes for a chance to win tickets through the official Xbox community channels.