Gamescom

Event Update for Gamescom 2025

Gamescom 2025 will run from 20.08.2025 until 24.08.2025. The event will take place in person at Koelnmesse.

A Brief Overview of Gamescom 

Video games have inserted themselves in the modern Zeitgeist fully to the point where gaming is a multi-million-dollar industry. Everyone seems to be a gamer, and Gamescom serves as a launch pad for the hottest titles in video game entertainment every single year. The trade fair for digital gaming enjoys the title ‘largest gaming trade fair’ based on its size and attendance rate. All this is taking place in Cologne, Germany. You don’t want to miss this! 

The upcoming edition of Gamescom will bring thousands to Cologne and competition for affordable hotels is going to be at an all-time high. Find the best hotel rates during Gamescom with a little help from GETA ltd and stay firmly within budget no matter how many people are travelling with you! We have a large network of hotels, hostels and apartments all over the city and tailor your hotel reservation to your every need. Stay in a room close to Koelnmesse and cut down your daily commute to minutes. GETA ltd is a veteran in the business travel sector and provides a whole list of additional services! 

Why Is Your Visit Worth It? 

Gamescom carries the crown as the biggest event for the gaming industry in the entire world. It’s big business and a busy five days for exhibitors. Drum up buzz for new releases, sell out of all your merch and find the best contacts. Getting a booth is the best possible investment as you gain a level of visibility and reach that no other show can provide. The massive scale of the trade show is the main draw for many companies. Just look at the numbers from the last live edition before the pandemic: 

• 1000+ international exhibitors from 56 countries;
• 370,000+ international trade visitors;
• 201,000+ square metres of exhibition space dedicated. 

Each edition has the line-up of every major publisher in the world and indie studios that receive attention from interested end consumers and distributors. 

Industry Relevance 

Gamescom succeeds on multiple levels. Ever since its inception in 2009, the trade fair targets both the public, which enjoys video games and industry insiders, who can profit higher on the supply chain. Game studios use the fair’s platform to receive valuable media coverage, have the target demographic give feedback on demos, and foster valuable business connections. Visitors have access to the full value chain – computer games, console games, Game Cube, hardware, repair service, communication technology, promotional items, software, cleaning utensils and all other related paraphernalia. To manage the flow of visitors and exhibitors to get the most out of each fair, Gamescom keeps its first day open only to trade visitors to facilitate business negotiations. 

Gamescom is a massive event for the gaming industry in terms of releases. This is where all new, hotly anticipated game releases take place. It’s where players and industry insiders have a chance to see firsthand the big titles of the year. Alongside German and European premiers, Gamescom is a go-to platform for worldwide releases. The trade show and convention boasts an incredible programme that takes over not just Koelnmesse, but the rest of Cologne. Be sure to look into all the auxiliary events taking place around the city. 

There are four main areas relevant for exhibitors. First, there’s the entertainment area, which is the main vehicle for game promotion as it’s where players can see new titles and give them a spin. A second major way for exhibitors to boost revenue is through the sale of merch. The merch area is populated by the full spectrum of fan merchandise, accessories and goodies. It’s not all about big, new games though. The retro area provides 200 ready-to-use game consoles, home computers, handhelds and automats from four decades, which transport you back to the good old days. The retro game community has only found a stronger perch in the broader gaming community. Last, but not least is the thriving indie area for those small releases that otherwise would get lost in the promotion cycles of the big releases. 

Who Are You Going to Meet? 

We wouldn’t be calling Gamescom the most influential fair in gaming if the most recognizable, household names in the industry were not present. Exhibitors you can come see include EA Games, Sony, Namco Bandai, Square Enix, THQ Nordic, Konami and Ubisoft. In terms of visitors, expect a wild mix of fans and industry insiders. Because the fair is based in Germany, it’s also the country with the biggest presence, followed closely by other countries in Europe. As far as the professional backgrounds of visitors go, you have the chance to meet and interact with retailers, wholesalers, online traders, manufacturers, content providers, developers, and mail order businesses. The fair is also a potent springboard for young professionals, which is why university and college students make it a point to visit. 

Additional Value of Attending 

Organisers deliver a massive show every year, and Gamescom opens up with Opening Night Live – a massive party that brings the entire community together. The event is live-streamed to fans across 180 countries, which makes it one of the most-watched events in the world. But that’s only the beginning of the support programming such as the various e-sports tournaments organised by ESL Gaming. 

Community comes first. You see this in the special family-friendly designated area and the cosplay village, which keeps on growing. Cosplay has been an integral part of gaming since the very start. Finally, the trade show attracts new talent through the Campus area, which promotes current job opportunities and career paths.