Press release gc 2026
gamescom 2026 – more international than ever
368,000 visitors from 131 countries +++ More than 36,000 trade visitors +++ Digital reach of 624 million views +++ gamescom awesome indies show views up more than 670 percent
Global industry presence and more top management
A total of 1,743 companies from 66 countries – 11 percent more than in 2025 – exhibited across a sold-out show floor of around 233,000 square meters, a first for the event. A record 72 percent of exhibitors came from abroad, with 48 country pavilions representing 41 countries. More than 36,000 trade visitors traveled to Cologne, with around 50 percent from abroad. The strongest growth came from Brazil, Canada, the Netherlands and the US. Alongside this growth, the share of top management also rose – further underscoring gamescom’s relevance as a business platform.
Games connect people well beyond Cologne
By Saturday evening alone gamescom’s digital content reached more than 624 million views around the world – including 78 million for gamescom Opening Night Live. The gamescom awesome indies show grew its digital reach by over 670 percent to 302,000 views. gamescom epix, the digital community adventure, also drew greater interest from players worldwide, generating 6.2 million page views – an increase of around 9 percent over the previous year.
gamescom GDQ marked the European premiere of the international speedrunning format Games Done Quick, highlighting the power the gaming community can achieve together. In recognition, the format received this year’s gamescom Heart of Gaming Award.
Felix Falk, Managing Director of game – the German Games Industry Association: “In 2026, gamescom has delivered an impressive statement about its role as the central platform for the international games industry. Many of last year’s record figures were surpassed, especially in terms of international participation and the number of exhibitors. The drive for the future can be felt here – it’s what again propels the industry forward this year despite the challenges – and what makes the gamescom atmosphere so unique.
Gerald Böse, President and Chief Executive Officer of Koelnmesse: “gamescom brings people from all over the world together, combining the economic and social significance of games on a scale like no other. This was an extremely successful gamescom and we are delighted by the event’s strong international character. It shows gamescom’s ever-growing importance as the leading platform for everyone who plays, develops and creates games.”
The new gamescom week
With gamescom dev now more closely integrated into gamescom week, the developer conference saw a 15 percent jump in registered participants to 6,200. The final report for gamescom dev 2026 can be found here.
Frank-Walter Steinmeier – the first Federal President to attend gamescom – opened the gamescom congress, where over 1,100 attendees discussed the potential of games. The final report for gamescom congress 2026 can be found here.
gamescom 2027 will take place the week of August 23 to 29. The event kicks off with gamescom dev on August 23 and 24, followed by gamescom Opening Night Live on the evening of August 24. August 25 is Business and Media Day. Wildcard holders are granted access starting at 1 p.m. The event opens to the general public on August 26.
gamescom 2026 at a glance:
● 368,000 visitors from 131 countries
● Over 36,000 trade visitors, with strongest growth from Brazil, Canada, the Netherlands and the US
● More than 624 million views for the entire show program (as of Saturday evening)
● With more than 78 million views for gamescom Opening Night Live
● With more than 302,000 views for gamescom awesome indies show
● 6.2 million page views for gamescom epix (as of Saturday evening)
● 1,743 exhibitors from 66 countries, with a foreign share of 72 percent
● 48 country pavilions from 41 countries
● Approximately 233,000 square meters of gross exhibition space
● Around 80,000 people at gamescom city festival
About gamescom:
gamescom is the world's biggest event for computer and video games. It takes place from 23 to 29 August 2027. For trade visitors, gamescom begins on 23 August with the developer conference gamescom dev; for everyone else, it starts on 24 August with the opening show gamescom Opening Night Live. Throughout the year, it is complemented by gamescom latam in São Paulo and gamescom asia x Thailand Game Show in Bangkok. gamescom is jointly organised by Koelnmesse and game – The German Games Industry Association.
About gamescom congress
gamescom congress is the world's leading conference on the potential of computer games in a digitalized world and offers interfaces far beyond the digital and media industry. International speakers present their topics in lectures, seminars and panel discussions. The gamescom congress takes place annually as part of gamescom in Cologne and is organized by Koelnmesse GmbH and game, the association of the German games industry. The gamescom congress is sponsored by the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.
game – The German Games Industry Association
We are the association of the German games industry. Our members represent the entire video game ecosystem, from development studios and publishers to esports event organisers, educational institutions and other related entities. We are co-organisers of gamescom, the world’s biggest event for video games. We are a shareholder in the Entertainment Software Self-Regulation Body (USK), the Foundation for Digital Games Culture, the esports player foundation, game events and the collecting society VHG, as well as co-host of the German Computer Game Awards. Serving as a central point of contact for media, as well as political and social institutions, we provide comprehensive expertise in areas including market development, game culture and media literacy, and address any inquiries or concerns. Together we are making Germany the heart of gaming worldwide. With games, we enrich the lives of all people.
Koelnmesse – industry trade fairs for the gaming sector:
Koelnmesse is an international leader in organising trade fairs in the gaming and entertainment segments. Hosted at the trade fairgrounds in Cologne, Germany, gamescom is the world’s largest event for computer and video games and Europe’s largest business platform for the games industry. gamescom brings together passionate gamers, business visitors, and exhibitors from across the world with a highly effective approach – in person at the venue and digitally from anywhere in the world. This makes gamescom the premier B2C, B2B, and B2G gaming event. In addition to the event at its Cologne headquarters, Koelnmesse is strategically expanding its portfolio internationally: In Southeast Asia, gamescom asia x Thailand Game Show provides an additional powerful industry platform for the rapidly growing Asia-Pacific games market, comprehensively combining supply and demand. For Brazil and Latin America, gamescom latam is a major event designed to stimulate dynamic growth in this market.
Further information:
www.gamescom.global
Upcoming events:
gamescom asia x Thailand Game Show, Bangkok, Thailand, October 29 - November 1, 2026
gamescom lan, Cologne, Germany, 19.-21.02.2027
gamescom latam, São Paulo, Brazil, April 22– 25, 2027
gamescom dev, Cologne, Germany, August 23-24, 2027
gamescom, Cologne, Germany, August 25-29, 2027, gamescom Opening Night Live, August 24, 2027
Note for editorial offices:
gamescom photos are available here: Image and video database | gamescom
Press releases can be found at: Press releases gamescom - If you reprint this document, please send us a sample copy.
Your contacts:
Marvin Grollius
Public and Media Relations Manager
Phone: + 49 221 821 2265
e-mail: m.grollius@koelnmesse.de
Simon Krenkel
Public and Media Relations Manager
Phone: +49 176 12562720
e-mail: s.krenkel@koelnmesse.de