gamescom 2026 has officially kicked off – and with a new record right away. Following yesterday's trade visitor day and the Opening Night Live, the expo in Cologne opens its doors to all visitors today, until Sunday, August 30.
Over 1,600 exhibitors are showcasing at the expo – more than ever before and significantly surpassing last year's 1,568 exhibitors. For the first time ever, the entire exhibition space of 233,000 square meters is completely booked out. This includes 420 indie studios and 47 country pavilions – making gamescom by far the largest gaming trade fair in the world.
How Many Visitors Are Expected at gamescom 2026?
The organizers are expecting at least 350,000 visitors throughout all exhibition days. Yesterday's Opening Night Live alone attracted around 5,000 people live on-site, in addition to a viewership of millions via stream.
Why Is gamescom So Economically Important for the German Games Industry?
For the domestic industry, the trade fair has long been more than just a show: According to industry figures, the German games industry generated around 4.2 billion euros in the first half of 2026. gamescom serves as both an annual benchmark and a showcase – international publishers specifically use Cologne for major announcements, as recently seen with titles like The Witcher 3, Heroes of Might and Magic 3, or Metro 2039. For Germany as a location, this is a tangible economic factor, not just a community event.
Source: deutschland.de
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