Gamescom 2026 sells out its exhibition floor for the first time
Record exhibitor demand has fully booked Cologne's trade fair even after last year's expansion, pushing organisers to scope out growing the show again for 2027.
Gamescom 2026 has sold out its entire exhibition floor for the first time in the show's history, organisers Koelnmesse and game — the German Games Industry Association — announced, with exhibitor demand for the Cologne trade fair now outstripping the venue's capacity even after last year's expansion.
"That gamescom is completely booked up is a strong signal for the entire industry," said Tim Endres, director of gamescom. "We only just expanded the area last year, so are all the more pleased with the increasing demand." Felix Falk, managing director of game and gamescom co-organiser, added that exhibitor demand "is higher than it has ever been" ahead of the show's August 26–30 run.
With the floor full, Koelnmesse and game say they are already scoping expansion plans for 2027 to accommodate further growth. The newly confirmed 2026 exhibitor list adds Konami, Tencent Games, Embark Studios, Level Infinite, GIANTS Software and aerosoft to an already-booked roster that includes Xbox, Nintendo, EA, Ubisoft, Capcom, CD Projekt Red, Sega, Bandai Namco, HoYoverse, Krafton and NetEase.
The show opens on the evening of August 25 with gamescom Opening Night Live, hosted by Geoff Keighley, alongside an expanded indie showcase and the European debut of the speedrunning charity event Games Done Quick — underscoring gamescom's dual role as both the games industry's biggest annual trade floor and its largest consumer-facing spectacle.
