Major Nelson to Host Xbox FanFest Events in 2026

Larry ‘Major Nelson’ Hryb will host multiple Xbox FanFest events in 2026 after appearing as a special guest at the Xbox Games Showcase during Xbox FanFest LA.

Microsoft has eight additional FanFest stops planned for 2026 at locations around the world. The company has not released specific dates or venues for those events.

Hryb worked at Microsoft for about 20 years before leaving in July 2023. He spent nine years as Principal Program Manager, contributing to Xbox Live and the achievement system, and 11 years as Senior Director of Corporate Communications.

At Xbox he produced video content tied to Games with Gold, Xbox Live Arcade and first-party releases and acted as a public-facing representative in community and marketing activities.

He joined Unity in June 2024 as Senior Director of Advocacy and Community and later disclosed he was laid off earlier in 2026. Since leaving Unity he has taken consultancy roles within the games industry.

Xbox has not announced any permanent return to the company; Hryb’s involvement is described only as hosting duties for FanFest events at this time.

Organizers and attendees have not yet received a full schedule for the remaining FanFest stops. Hryb’s hosting places a familiar public figure at the center of the fan-facing activities planned for the series.