Gamescom 2026 Books Record 1,600 Exhibitors in Cologne

Gamescom 2026 fully booked every exhibition hall at Koelnmesse in Cologne, Germany, for the first time in its history ahead of the annual event. Organizers confirmed over 1,600 exhibitors joined the show floor, while the Gamescom Opening Night Live showcase unveiled major future video game titles.

German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier will attend the convention as the first sitting head of state to do so. Steinmeier plans to open the Gamescom Congress, engage in discussions regarding the role of games in democracy, and meet with developers on the show floor.

Organizers noted that 70 percent of the registered exhibitors originated from outside Germany. The indie area expanded by 16 percent to feature 420 studios, alongside large presences from major publishers showing upcoming releases.

"The visit by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier sends a very strong signal: games are perceived as a relevant part of culture, society, and the economy," said Felix Falk, Managing Director of game – The German Games Industry Association.

Industry advocates are utilizing the event's political visibility to lobby for consistent tax-based funding models across Germany and Europe to remain globally competitive.

"From our perspective, one of the most urgent issues is the international competitiveness of Germany and Europe as locations for the gaming industry," said Falk.

Tim Endres, Director of Gamescom at Koelnmesse GmbH, highlighted the scale of international participation driving the record space allocation.

"gamescom 2026 being fully booked is the result of very broad demand across the industry," said Endres.

During the Opening Night Live digital broadcast hosted by Geoff Keighley, developer CD Projekt Red revealed The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — Songs of the Past. Scheduled for release in 2027, the expansion features a new chain weapon and marks the final story focused on Geralt before the franchise shifts to Ciri for The Witcher 4 in 2028.

A free visual and feature remaster for The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is set for launch on Sept. 29, with previous expansions becoming free to all owners starting Tuesday. Other announcements included Final Fantasy 7 Revelation launching in spring 2027, Gears of War: E-Day arriving Oct. 6, Silent Hill: Townfall releasing Sept. 24, and Rayman Legends Retold launching Oct. 1.