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KubeCon + CloudNativeCon Europe 2026 Schedule Unveiled

The Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) has recently revealed its anticipated schedule for the next iteration of KubeCon + CloudNativeCon Europe, taking place from March 23 to 26, 2026, in the vibrant city of Amsterdam. This prominent annual event is set to attract developers, technologists, and cloud native enthusiasts from around the globe, fostering collaboration and innovation in the cloud native ecosystem.

A Look at the Program

The agenda promises to be comprehensive and engaging, comprising 224 sessions that range from keynotes and lightning talks to in-depth workshops. Topics are reflective of the industry's current focus areas, particularly the intersection of cloud native technologies and artificial intelligence (AI), observability, and security.

Jonathan Bryce, the executive director of CNCF, expressed enthusiasm for returning to Amsterdam, a city renowned for its rich technological landscape. He noted, “This event continues to serve as a cornerstone for the industry, enabling us to share insights and collaboratively tackle pressing infrastructure challenges. The 2026 schedule emphasizes the priorities emerging from the community, including enhanced security, resilience in systems, and effective AI deployment across diverse applications.”

Key Tracks to Look Forward To

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Track

One of the noteworthy themes will be the AI track, predicting substantial convergence between AI development and cloud native practices. According to the latest CNCF Technology Landscape Radar report, approximately 41% of AI developers are now engaged in cloud native technologies, with this percentage expected to rise. This track will delve into innovative applications of AI and machine learning within cloud-native frameworks, hosting sessions such as “Driving Adoption and Automation With MCP in Production at Liftoff,” presented by Tommy Nguyen from Liftoff Mobile.

Observability

As cloud native technologies mature, the Observability track stands central to the event. This section addresses how organizations can monitor and manage workloads effectively, guiding attendees through various projects and methodologies pertinent to observability. One session, “The Hills Are Alive with the Sound of Kubernetes,” presented by Stevie Caldwell from Fairwinds, is poised to be particularly enlightening.

Platform Engineering

Recognizing the industry's growing need for skilled platform engineers, the Platform Engineering track will explore solutions for building and customizing cloud native platforms. Highlights will include actionable insights on automating infrastructure operations—crucial in light of a 2025 report indicating that 56% of organizations experience a shortage of platform engineers.

Security Track

With escalating concerns around vulnerabilities and compliance, the Security track will address the essentials of maintaining a secure cloud native environment. Key discussions will cover topics like credential management and threat modeling, featuring a standout presentation titled “What LLMs Do, and Don't, Know About Securing Kubernetes” by Rory McCune from Datadog.

Emerging + Advanced Technologies

Additionally, the Emerging + Advanced track is dedicated to showcasing cutting-edge developments in cloud native technologies. This includes insights into emerging technologies, research opportunities, and the peculiarities of managing high-performance computing. Presentations by notable figures, such as Madhav Bhargava from SAP Labs and Joel Studler from Swisscom, will challenge attendees to consider how to optimize performance in cloud setups.

Co-Located Events and Registration Details

On March 23, CNCF will host co-located events focused deeply on specialized cloud native technologies, offering community-led sessions on security, AI, and more. Registration for KubeCon + CloudNativeCon Europe is open until February 4, 2026, with options for standard passes or all-access registrations covering both the main conference and co-located events.

Furthermore, the Dan Kohn scholarship program will provide travel funding and complimentary registrations to underrepresented groups, furthering inclusivity within the developer community.

Crossing Borders in Cloud Native Computing

CNCF continues its mission of supporting the cloud native ecosystem by hosting events that facilitate knowledge transfer among users and developers across borders. The last event demonstrated strong engagement within this growing community, and CNCF expects that KubeCon + CloudNativeCon Europe 2026 will further solidify Amsterdam’s position as a premier hub for cloud native technology discussions.

Through the collective efforts of sponsors, including AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Red Hat, KubeCon + CloudNativeCon Europe 2026 is set to be an organization-wide success, shaping the next generation of cloud native applications and systems.

For more detailed agenda items and registration information, visit www.cncf.io.