Gamescom has reached a new milestone ahead of its 2026 event, with all available exhibition space booked for the first time in the event’s history. The result follows an expansion of the exhibition area in 2025 and reflects what organisers claim is record demand from companies across the international games industry. Gamescom will once again return to Cologne from 26 to 30 August 2026.
The organisers are now considering options to expand gamescom further from 2027. The proposed expansion is intended to accommodate additional exhibitors while also improving the on-site visitor experience.
Gamescom Director Tim Endres said the fully booked exhibition area demonstrated continued industry interest following last year’s expansion, while the event would continue investing in formats for fans and gaming communities.
That gamescom is completely booked up is a strong signal for the entire industry. We only just expanded the area last year, so are all the more pleased with the increasing demand. At the same time, we are continually developing gamescom further and investing in new formats for fans and communities. It is precisely this connection of business and community-experience that distinguishes gamescom
Felix Falk, Managing Director of game and co-organiser of gamescom, said the 2026 event would combine its expanded exhibitor presence with a selection of in-person and livestreamed programming.
It is already clear now that gamescom 2026 will be bigger than ever. Exhibitor demand is higher than it has ever been. Fans can look forward to a full program, on location in Cologne and in livestream everywhere in the world. gamescom Opening Night Live, the expanded gamescom awesome indies show, or gamescom GDQ, which is celebrating its premiere this year: those are only a few of the highlights that raise anticipation for the world’s largest games event many weeks prior to the start
Several additional exhibitors have now been confirmed for gamescom 2026, including aerosoft, Embark Studios, Giants, Konami, Level Infinite, NC and Tencent Games.
Gamescom’s major presentations will once again be available to viewers outside Cologne through livestreams. Gamescom Opening Night Live will officially begin the main festival on the evening of 25 August 2026, with Geoff Keighley returning as host alongside co-host Eefje “sjokz” Depoortere. The presentation is set to feature announcements, premieres and updates from companies across the games industry. Organisers have confirmed that the program will include news about METRO 2039 and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Songs of the Past, both of which are expected to be released in 2027.
Alongside its exhibitor and livestream programming, gamescom is introducing and updating several activities focused on gaming communities, content creators and cosplayers:
The gamescom event arena will operate as a social stage across four days, presenting programming from different areas of gaming culture. Confirmed activities include the gamescom cosplay contest, a DidYouKnowGaming panel quiz and additional community events.
Games Done Quick will also make its first European gamescom appearance through gamescom GDQ. The speedrunning organisation will operate a dedicated stage from Friday to Sunday, with close to 10 hours of live programming planned for each day.
The program will be streamed through the GDQ channels, while participating community members will raise donations for the Gaming for Democracy initiative.
Cosplay will remain part of the event through the returning cosplay village. Gamescom has revised its costume design rules in consultation with representatives from the industry and cosplay community, with the changes intended to balance creative freedom with safety requirements. Accreditation guidelines for cosplayers have also been simplified in an effort to make participation easier and provide clearer professional conditions for members of the creative community.
Visitors will also have access to an updated location finder. In addition to displaying a visitor’s position and the locations of exhibiting companies, the tool will include filters for facilities such as accessible toilets and free water dispensers.
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