gamescom 2026 is a trade fair in Cologne, Germany.
gamescom is the world's largest trade fair for computer and video games, held annually at Koelnmesse in Cologne. The 2026 edition runs 26-30 August 2026, with the industry Opening Night Live show on 25 August. Organised jointly by Koelnmesse and the German games association game, the fair draws around 1,500 exhibitors and more than 335,000 visitors from over 100 countries.
gamescom is split into two distinct zones that shape how exhibitors plan their stands. The business area serves trade visitors, press and developers with meeting-focused booths, while the entertainment area is a consumer-facing show floor built for high footfall, playable demos and large brand activations. A stand for the entertainment halls is a very different brief from a business-area meeting stand: queue management, crowd flow, durable flooring, elevated signage and AV load-in dominate the design, and build windows are tight against Koelnmesse's move-in schedule.
Because gamescom fills much of the Koelnmesse grounds, exhibitors compete for visitor attention against some of the largest custom builds in European exhibiting. Publishers routinely commission multi-storey stands, walk-in set pieces and stage areas, which places a premium on builders experienced with rigging, structural sign-off and Koelnmesse's technical regulations. Exhibitors planning a gamescom presence typically lock stand design and hall placement months ahead, as prime positions in the entertainment halls are limited and allocated early.
For companies exhibiting at gamescom, choosing a stand builder with Cologne and Koelnmesse experience is a practical advantage: local builders know the venue's logistics, approved contractors and load-in constraints, which reduces on-site risk during one of the busiest build periods in the German fair calendar.