Event Details
Welcome to gamescom 2026 in Cologne
From 26 to 30 August 2026, Koelnmesse once again becomes the center of the international gaming scene. gamescom has been the world's largest trade fair for computer and video games since 2009; 2025 drew more than 357,000 visitors from 128 countries, and 2026 is expected to set a new record. Across more than 200,000 square meters, exhibitors ranging from indie studios to major publishers showcase the latest games, trailers and hardware innovations.
Highlights
- gamescom Opening Night Live the evening before, on 25 August, with world premieres and trailers
- Four public days from Thursday to Sunday with hundreds of exhibitors
- A large Retro Area with classic consoles and arcade machines
- Cosplay Village and cosplay competitions
- First ever European presence of Games Done Quick with charity speedruns
- gamescom City Festival on the weekend along Cologne's Ringe with free admission
- gamescom camp, Europe's largest gaming campsite right on the Rhine
Program
gamescom dev, the professional program for developers, runs already from 23 to 25 August. On Tuesday, 25 August, the Opening Night Live opens the show week in the evening with world premieres followed live around the globe. Wednesday, 26 August, is traditionally the trade visitor and media day; private visitors can only access the venue that day with a Wildcard from 1:00 PM. On 27 August the gamescom congress also takes place. The four regular public days run from Thursday, 27 August, to Sunday, 30 August; the Entertainment Area opens at 9:00 AM on weekend days and at 10:00 AM on weekdays, with the show closing daily at 8:00 PM. Confirmed exhibitors include Nintendo, Xbox, Capcom and Krafton.
Tickets
Tickets are sold exclusively online through the official ticket shop; there is no box office on site. The regular day ticket costs 31.50 euros on Thursday, Friday and Sunday and 41 euros on the especially popular Saturday (discounted 22.50 and 32 euros respectively). The evening ticket from 4:00 PM costs 10.50 euros, 13 euros on Saturday. The family ticket for up to five people costs 69.50 euros (86 euros on Saturday). The Wednesday Wildcard costs 65.50 euros and tends to sell out early.
Visitor Tips
- Secure tickets early, especially for Saturday, which traditionally sells out first.
- Travel by train to Köln Messe/Deutz station; the entrance is just a short walk away.
- Plan for more than one day, since it is hard to cover all halls in a single visit.
- Allow extra time on Wednesday with a Wildcard, since access only starts at 1:00 PM.
- Book hotels in Cologne and the surrounding area early, as the city fills up quickly during the show.
