Google Cloud Next 2026 Guide: The Expert Guide and Pro Tips

Doing Vegas right: navigating the Mandalay Bay 

We’re heading back to Las Vegas for Google Cloud Next 2026 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center from April 22-24. If you’ve been before, you know it’s a lot to handle—from the impossible keynote seats to the sheer size of the expo floor. This Google Cloud Next 2026 guide leverages a few years of on-the-ground experience to help you cut through the noise and focus on the stuff that actually matters for you and your company.

Summary: This expert Google Cloud Next 2026 cheat sheet recommends registering before March 25, 2026 to save $700 on pass fees and using the SUSE discount code (link here) for an extra $100 off. To save your energy, stay close to Mandalay Bay, use the free tram to beat the traffic and stop by the SUSE booth (#3023) to talk about Linux and open source on Google Cloud.

Who should attend Google Cloud Next 2026 and why?

Next is for anyone living in the cloud—developers, data scientists, IT leaders and security pros. It’s less about sitting in a room and more about:

• Getting a look at where the cloud is heading before everyone else.
• Meeting the people who are actually building the tools you use every day.
• Testing new gear and getting hands-on with certifications.

How can I use this Google Cloud Next 2026 cheat sheet to save time?

The Mandalay Bay is huge. If you don’t have a plan, you’ll spend half the day walking. Use this Google Cloud Next 2026 cheat sheet to stay ahead of the crowd:

• Where to stay: Stay within walking distance. If the registration portal looks full, call the hotels directly—they usually hold a few rooms back for late callers.
• The tram secret: If you’re at the MGM Grand or Luxor, skip the Ubers. The free tram is faster and drops you right where you need to be.
• The coffee hack: The Starbucks near registration is always a nightmare. Walk deeper into the hotel to Hazel Coffee for a shorter line, or just grab a cup at your hotel before you leave. You will also find some snacks in some Google activation areas.
• Pick up your badge early: Do it on Tuesday, April 21. If you wait until Wednesday morning, you’ll be stuck in a line while the keynote is starting.

Session strategy: getting into the rooms that matter

You can check the official event agenda now to start planning.

• The schedule: Tuesday, April 21 is for invite-only events like the Partner Summit and Leaders Circle. The main show runs Wednesday, April 22 through Friday, April 24, wrapping up at 3:00 p.m.
• Check the library now: You can browse the session library online right now. Mark your favorites today so you’re ready to book the second the builder opens. Later, download the app to keep your calendar on your phone.
• The “no-show” rule: If a session is “Full” in the app, don’t worry. Stand in the physical line 10 minutes before it starts. People always flake, and I’ve never failed to get a seat this way.
• Be early for keynotes: If you want a decent seat, be there an hour early. They fill up faster than you’d think.
• Talk to the speakers: Don’t just run out when the slides finish. Most speakers stay at the edge of the stage for five minutes. That’s your chance to ask the real technical questions.

What to pack and where to party at Google Cloud Next 2026

Vegas is a marathon, not a sprint.

• The bag rule: Keep your bag under 12″ x 18″ or security will make you head back to your room.
• What to wear: Wear your most comfortable shoes and bring a power bank. The dress code is business casual—you’ll see plenty of jeans, branded t-shirts, hoodies and casual sneakers. That said, you can never go wrong with being a little overdressed if you want to make a strong impression.
• After-hours: There are partner parties all week. Wednesday night is usually the big one for partners.
• Concert night: The official Google party is Thursday night. We’ve seen The Killers and Kings of Leon in the past, so expectations are high. We’ll update this as soon as we hear who the mystery guest is! Allegiant Stadium has very strict guidelines regarding what you can bring inside, so play it safe and leave your bags and non-essentials at the hotel before heading to the concert.

Come hang out with SUSE at Booth #3023

We aren’t just there for the SUSE swag, we are proud sponsors (though our claw machine will be back and loaded with cool gifts). Relied on by a majority of the Fortune 500 to provide enterprise, open infrastructure solutions, SUSE is the trusted foundation for Linux, Kubernetes, Edge and AI. Stop by booth #3023 to see how we help the world’s largest organizations deploy best-of-breed solutions without vendor lock-in.

• Linux that just works: See how we handle security and why our Multi Linux Support makes life easier for your team.
• Kubernetes without the headache: We’ll be demoing SUSE Rancher Prime and showing how to manage clusters across different clouds without getting locked in.
• AI you can actually trust: Let’s talk about building an AI platform that is secure and ready for actual production.
• SAP on Google Cloud: Find out why we are the gold standard for running SAP.

Conclusion

Google Cloud Next 2026 is a lot of fun if you’re prepared. Use our SUSE discount link to save $100 before the price goes up on March 25, and keep this Google Cloud Next 2026 cheat sheet handy.

Get involved: Post what you’re seeing with the #GoogleCloudNext hashtag.

Want to talk 1:1? Email our team to set up a meeting. And follow SUSE on LinkedIn to see what we’re up to before the doors open.