gamescom congress 2026 welcomed more than 1,100 visitors, setting a new attendance record +++ Opening speech by Federal President Steinmeier: “Digital games, taken as a whole, are culturally significant — and therefore, I believe this is crucial, they are also significant for our democracy” +++ 165 international experts provided insights into the potential of games for education, culture, the economy, science, and society
With the first-ever visit by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, an even wider variety of topics, and numerous renowned speakers, gamescom congress 2026 impressively demonstrated its relevance as the world’s leading conference on the potential of games. The congress took place on August 27 across a total of eight stages, featuring 85 program items and 165 speakers, as part of gamescom in Cologne. With over 1,100 attendees from business, education, science, politics, media, and society, the event set a new record. The congress was officially opened by Federal President Steinmeier himself. “Digital games, taken as a whole, are culturally significant — and therefore, I believe this is crucial, they are also significant for our democracy”. In his speech, he discussed, among other things, the profound impact games have on various industries and how they can contribute to the promotion of democracy as a cultural medium.
“With the Federal President’s first-ever visit and a new attendance record, this year’s gamescom congress concluded more successfully than ever before. This highlights once again how the future-oriented medium of games positively shapes the important issues of our time in business, culture, education, and science, and provides important impulses”, said Felix Falk, Managing Director of game – the Association of the German Games Industry and co-organizer of gamescom congress.
“The gamescom congress 2026 once again demonstrates the enormous potential of games for society. The visit by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, high-profile panels featuring international organizations, and strong initiatives to promote democratic values have impressively proven this. Topics were addressed that extend far beyond the games industry. Together with the game Association, we are creating an important platform for this exchange here in Cologne,” said Gerald Böse, CEO of Koelnmesse GmbH and co-organizer of gamescom congress.
In terms of content, this year’s congress was shaped by key themes such as “Democracy as a Playing Field” and “The Games Effect.” Participants included representatives from international organizations such as Europol, the Red Cross, and the United Nations, as well as numerous experts from the games industry. Among those represented were the technology company Razer and game studios such as Paintbucket Games, remote control productions, and ROTxBLAU. Representatives from academia also provided insights into current research and findings, including from the University of Education in Freiburg, the Institute for Democracy and Civil Society (IDZ) in Jena, and the Paderborn Education Center for Information Technology Professions.
In talks, panels, workshops, and roundtables, the speakers discussed a wide range of topics: How can games create spaces for democratic experiences and support people who have fled their home countries? How can AI be used to foster creativity, and how is it simultaneously changing career entry into the games industry? Other topics included the use of games to prevent cybercrime in schools, new approaches to digital remembrance culture, the competitiveness of the European games market, and the requirements for inclusive games.
gamescom congress would like to thank this year’s partners: The State Government of North Rhine-Westphalia, the City of Cologne, the German Society for Game Studies, the German Cultural Council, the esports player foundation, Games Syndicate Cologne, NetCologne, Playing for the Planet, the Foundation for Digital Games Culture, UNICEF, USK, and Video Games Europe, as well as Curatomic, Nerdstar, OMG FUSE, and Sunday Studio. We would also like to thank the media partners of gamescom congress:: ARD, brand eins, n-tv, and Wikimedia.
A recording (VOD) of this year’s gamescom congress can be found here (German only).
About gamescom congress
gamescom congress is the world’s leading conference on the potential of computer games in a digitalized world and offers interfaces far beyond the digital and media industry. International speakers present their topics in lectures, seminars and panel discussions. The gamescom congress takes place annually as part of gamescom in Cologne and is organized by Koelnmesse GmbH and game, the association of the German games industry. The gamescom congress is sponsored by the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.
About gamescom:
gamescom is the world’s biggest event for computer and video games. It takes place from 26 to 30 August 2026. For trade visitors, gamescom began on 24 August with the developer conference gamescom dev; for everyone else, it started on 25 August with the opening show gamescom Opening Night Live. Throughout the year, it is complemented by gamescom latam in São Paulo and gamescom asia x Thailand Game Show in Bangkok. gamescom is jointly organised by Koelnmesse and game – The German Games Industry Association.
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.
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 fairgrounds 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, business 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 Southeast Asia, 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. For Brazil and Latin America, gamescom latam is a major event designed to stimulate dynamic growth in this market.
