gamescom 2026 launches ticket sales with outstanding results for exhibitor registrations
New record: registered exhibitors at the end of the early-bird period up 15 per cent compared to 2025 +++ Numerous national pavilions already confirmed +++ Tickets for gamescom 2026 now on sale +++ New Business 5 Days ticket introduced +++ gamescom dev conference to kick off the gamescom week
gamescom 2026 will mark the start of a highly promising year for the global gaming community. The organizers have now launched ticket sales with a strong turnout of participating exhibitors. For the third time in succession, the event has ended the early-bird period with a new record for registered exhibitors. In total, exhibitor numbers are up 15 per cent year over year. This result reaffirms the international standing, relevance, and appeal of the world's biggest event for computer and video games.
Felix Falk, Managing Director of game, the German Games Industry Association, says: "It's already clear that gamescom will once again be the absolute highlight of the international gaming year. As the representatives of the German games industry, we're proud that we get to stage this unique event and welcome visitors from across the world. This year, we're making gamescom dev and gamescom even more closely linked than ever before, and that's something I'm really looking forward to. The developer community is the industry's beating heart of creativity, and it is only right that our developer conference should kick off the gamescom week."
Oliver Frese, Chief Operating Officer of Koelnmesse GmbH, adds: "As the co-organizers of gamescom, we're delighted that we've set a record at the end of the early-bird period for three years in succession. This result underscores gamescom's unique role within the gaming industry and clearly shows why this event is a must-attend for the global gaming community. Achieving this best-ever result in the early-bird period is the perfect way to launch ticket sales. gamescom 2026 promises to be a superlative experience for all visitors."
Tickets now on sale
Visitors and fans can now purchase tickets for gamescom (August 26–30), gamescom dev (August 24-25), and gamescom congress (August 27). Tickets are available exclusively via the official gamescom Ticket Shop at tickets.gamescom.global. Tickets for gamescom Opening Night Live will go on sale at a later date. There will be no ticket sales at the venue. Attendees are strongly advised not to purchase tickets from unauthorized platforms or third-party vendors.
gamescom tickets for fans
As in the previous year, fans can select from the following tickets and bundles:
· Day ticket
· Evening ticket (from 4.00 p.m.)
· Family ticket
· Wildcard (admission to the trade visitor and media day, hosted in the entertainment area from 1 p.m. on August 26)
· Green ticket (optional contribution to climate protection initiatives)
· Superfan Bundle Plus (includes a ticket to gamescom Opening Night Live)
· Superfan Bundle (includes a ticket to gamescom Opening Night Live)
New: gamescom Business Tickets for trade visitors
A new ticket category is being introduced for trade visitors this year: They will be granted admission with the gamescom Business Ticket. It gives trade visitors the flexibility to combine all of the available tickets for gamescom dev with admission to gamescom by purchasing a joint weekly package in the gamescom Ticket Shop.
They can select from:
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gamescom Business 5 Days (access to the entire gamescom business week, including gamescom dev and gamescom from Wednesday to Friday. The precise scope of access to gamescom dev depends on the package selected.)
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gamescom Business 3 Days (admission to gamescom from Wednesday to Friday)
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gamescom Business 1 Day (single-day admission to gamescom from Wednesday to Friday)
All gamescom Business Tickets include access to the gamescom business area, the gamescom entertainment area and gamescom biz, the official online B2B platform. Business 5 Days tickets include access to gamescom dev, with the scope of access determined by the selected category (Basic, Content, Trade, VIP, or Student). Early-bird pricing is available through March 31.
Verification as a trade visitor is required to purchase a Business Ticket. The verification process may take up to 48 hours to complete. Early registration is strongly recommended.
Tickets for the gamescom congress
Tickets for the gamescom congress, the world's leading conference exploring the potential of computer and video games, are available for August 27, 2026.
A global event with strong international partnerships
Continued exhibitor growth and rising levels of international participation underscore gamescom's global reach. Companies from more than 40 countries have already joined the lineup for gamescom 2026. Country pavilions from 23 countries have been confirmed, including Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Denmark, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Korea, Malta, Morocco, the Netherlands, Portugal, Qatar, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
International participation in the event has grown steadily over the years. Beginning with the 2026 edition, gamescom will therefore discontinue the model of having a single official partner country in order to better reflect its global character, international significance, and broad partnerships. Going forward, gamescom will introduce new formats and programs to provide all international partners with enhanced exposure and greater networking opportunities.
Further information is available at:
Upcoming events:
gamescom lan, Cologne, Germany | March 20-22, 2026
gamescom latam, São Paulo, Brazil | April 29 - May 3, 2026
gamescom dev, Cologne, Germany | August 23-25, 2026
gamescom, Cologne, Germany | August 26-30, 2026; gamescom Opening Night Live | August 25, 2026
gamescom asia x Thailand Game Show, Bangkok, Thailand | October 29 - November 1, 2026
About gamescom:
gamescom is the world's biggest event for computer and video games. In 2026, the event will take place from August 26 to 30. For trade visitors, it starts on August 24 with gamescom dev; for everyone else, it starts on August 25 with the opening show gamescom Opening Night Live. In addition, gamescom latam in São Paulo and gamescom asia x Thailand Game Show in Bangkok will also take place during the coming year. gamescom is jointly organized by Koelnmesse and game – the German Games Industry Association.
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 fair grounds 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, trade 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 Thailand, 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. Koelnmesse Brasil is a subsidiary of Koelnmesse GmbH in São Paulo, dedicated to promoting and organising world-class trade fairs and events in Brazil. The mission is to bring global innovation, knowledge and business opportunities to various industries.
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.
Further information:
