One of the World’s Largest Game Exhibitions, “gamescom,” Opens August 20–24, 2025 in Cologne, Germany / The Event’s History and What’s Next — Plus Information on Japanese Exhibitors
Held annually in Cologne, Germany, gamescom goes beyond a conventional game exhibition. It has established itself as one of the world’s largest computer and video game events and as Europe’s largest business platform. Operating a unique hybrid model that serves both B2B (business-to-business) for industry professionals and B2C (business-to-consumer) for general game fans, it has built an integrated ecosystem that meets the needs of diverse stakeholders. From a MICE perspective as well, its operational know-how and economic ripple effects are world-class, making it a notable success case among international events.
The First Edition Was in 2009: The History and Growth of gamescom
From Its Early Days to Becoming One of the World’s Largest
Originating from the “Games Convention,” which was held in Leipzig from 2002 to 2008, gamescom moved to Koelnmesse in Cologne and was renamed as the event expanded in scale. The first edition in Cologne took place in August 2009 and drew around 245,000 visitors, a strong debut. Since then, the event has expanded year by year, establishing itself by the mid-2010s as the world’s largest game event. In 2013, attendance surpassed 340,000 for the first time; in 2018 it reached about 370,000, and in the last pre-pandemic year of 2019, it hit a record of roughly 373,000 visitors.
Beyond the Pandemic, Evolving Further
In 2020 and 2021, the show was held online due to COVID-19. The experience and infrastructure developed during that period were skillfully integrated after the return to a physical venue, laying the foundation for a powerful hybrid model. On-site events resumed in 2022 with about 265,000 visitors, rose to around 320,000 in 2023, and reached approximately 335,000 in 2024. Behind this growth is the continued introduction of formats that meet the needs of the gaming community—such as esports tournaments, cosplay contests, and the indie game area—alongside a constant drive to refresh and innovate content.
Operations are jointly led by Koelnmesse GmbH, professionals in venue management, and game – The German Games Industry Association.
What Makes gamescom Stand Out as an Event
gamescom is defined by its immense scale, international character, and a program structure that spans a wide range of activities.
Attendee Segments and International Reach
Depending on the year, gamescom typically draws on the order of 300,000 visitors. The show is divided into an Entertainment Area open to the general public and a Business Area limited to industry professionals. In the Business Area, companies from around the world conduct meetings and host closed presentations for the media, creating a platform where developers, publishers, buyers, and journalists can connect.
Particularly noteworthy is the show’s international profile: in 2024, 71% of the 1,462 exhibiting companies came from outside Germany. Numerous national pavilions—joint booths organized by country—underscore how nations around the world view gamescom as a showcase for their domestic industries. Just before the main show opens, the devcom Developer Conference—one of Europe’s largest events for game developers—also takes place, hosting extensive conferencing among creators.
Diverse Programs and a Philosophy Centered on Community
At gamescom, it’s not just about exhibiting and playing games. As a festival for fans, the show offers a multitude of attractions. Stages in and around the venue host esports tournaments, game-music concerts, and cosplay contests daily, providing rich entertainment for attendees. Official programs also include the gamescom award, which recognizes outstanding new titles, and the gamescom congress, where topics at the intersection of the games industry, society, and the economy are discussed—reinforcing the event’s role as an industry platform.
Further, gamescom places rigorous emphasis on being community-driven, one reason it is known as a “festival of games.” Dedicated zones cater to highly engaged communities: cosplay contests where passionate fans take center stage; a vast indie area that showcases the talents of independent developers; and a retro gaming area where visitors can experience the history of games. In recent years, the show has remained responsive to shifting interests by adding features such as a Social Stage for live podcast recordings and music performances, and a Card & Board Games Area for analog-game enthusiasts—continuing to deliver fresh experiences.
A key pillar of gamescom’s marketing power is “gamescom: Opening Night Live (ONL),” a large-scale opening show hosted by noted game journalist Geoff Keighley. Broadcast live worldwide, it serves as a stage for world-premiere reveals and major new trailers from leading publishers, maximizing media exposure and buzz for the entire event. In addition, the gamescom city festival involves the wider city of Cologne, enveloping it in a festive atmosphere. This transforms gamescom from a purely industry event into a major cultural happening deeply rooted in the culture and economy of its host city.
Held Last Year: Overview and Results of gamescom 2024
The most recent edition, gamescom 2024, broke multiple records and became a showcase of the gaming industry’s strong post-pandemic momentum.
Record-Breaking Exhibitor Numbers and Broad Reach
Held from August 21 to 25, 2024, gamescom drew considerable attention for its robust recovery in the post-pandemic era. Total attendance reached approximately 335,000, up from 2023. Business visitors numbered around 32,000, 50% of whom came from outside Germany, with especially notable increases from North America and Japan.
The number of exhibitors hit an all-time high: 1,462 companies from 64 countries, a substantial 19% increase over 2023. Overseas exhibitors accounted for 71%, underscoring the show’s international breadth and industry coverage. During the event, Germany’s Federal Minister for Digital and officials from various European governments attended and formally opened the show, highlighting its stature as an industry platform.
The online presence was also significant. “gamescom: Opening Night Live (ONL),” the headline live program on the opening day, surpassed 40 million views worldwide, while total video views for the event exceeded 547 million. Far from diminishing the value of the physical show, this demonstrates a “digital multiplier effect” that amplifies its overall impact.
Highlights: Notable Titles and Awards
As key topics in 2024, numerous new announcements and updates were revealed on the entertainment side, drawing attention from game fans worldwide. Especially during Opening Night Live (ONL) on day one, Gearbox Software announced the latest entry in the series, Borderlands 4, and a teaser for the newest installment in the popular strategy franchise, Sid Meier’s Civilization VII, generated major buzz. In addition, new gameplay footage for Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 (Activision) was shown; further news on Capcom’s new title Monster Hunter Wilds was released; and a variety of world premieres for new titles were presented, including Mafia: The Old Country (2K Games) and Dying Light: The Beast (Techland).
The lineup of exhibitors also warranted attention. Microsoft/Xbox mounted a vast booth alongside Bethesda and Activision Blizzard, while major companies such as Electronic Arts and Square Enix returned with their own large-scale booths after several years away. This suggests that the value of gamescom as a platform is being reassessed within the industry.
At the official gamescom award 2024, Capcom’s Monster Hunter Wilds emerged as the biggest winner, taking home all four awards for which it had been nominated, including Best PlayStation Game and Most Epic. Little Nightmares III by Supermassive Games and Bandai Namco also won three categories—Best Visuals, Best Audio, and Best Xbox Game—earning high acclaim. Together, these results reaffirm the strong global competitiveness of AAA titles produced by major Japanese publishers.
Outlook for gamescom 2025 and the Presence of Japanese Companies
Building on the success of 2024, expectations for gamescom 2025 are higher than ever.
gamescom 2025 — Event Overview
Dates: August 20 (Wed)–August 24 (Sun), 2025 — the first day, Wednesday the 20th, is a Business Day.
Venue: Koelnmesse, Cologne, Germany
Organizer: Koelnmesse GmbH and game – The German Games Industry Association
Official website: https://www.gamescom.global/en
Event Overview and Moves by Major Publishers
gamescom 2025 is scheduled to take place from Wednesday, August 20 to Sunday, August 24, 2025 at Koelnmesse in Germany. On Tuesday, August 19, the kickoff event “gamescom Opening Night Live” will be held. The developers’ conference “devcom” is slated for Sunday, August 17 through Tuesday, August 19.
The biggest strategic topic for 2025 is Nintendo’s return after sitting out 2024. It will be the company’s first appearance in two years since 2023, a major development for both Western game fans and the industry. Nintendo plans to release its next-generation console, “Nintendo Switch 2,” in 2025, and there is strong potential for the latest information and playable demos for titles on the new hardware—such as Metroid Prime 4: Beyond—to be unveiled at the gamescom venue, drawing significant attention. Nintendo’s return reflects a strategy that values direct marketing at physical events.
In contrast, Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) has announced it will skip an official presence for the sixth consecutive year, reflecting SIE’s strategy of prioritizing its own digital events (such as State of Play) for communications. Even without SIE’s direct participation, however, numerous PlayStation titles are typically announced during the kickoff event “Opening Night Live (ONL)” and at third-party booths, so the platform’s presence will not disappear entirely.
Beyond Nintendo, many major companies are expected to participate as usual. Global publishers such as Xbox (Microsoft), Ubisoft, EA, Capcom, Bandai Namco, SEGA, and Square Enix plan to leverage gamescom to promote their latest titles and large-scale projects. Trailers for high-profile works have been teased for ONL, drawing substantial attention. Konami, in particular, has stated it will bring a playable demo of METAL GEAR SOLID Δ: SNAKE EATER, and a large-scale booth presence is anticipated.
The Presence of Japanese Companies and Expanding Areas
As for Japanese companies, in addition to Nintendo’s announced participation noted above, Bandai Namco and Capcom are strengthening their exhibits with Europe in mind, making this an excellent opportunity for Japan-origin content to reach a global stage.
Of special note, as part of a support initiative by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, the “Japan Pavilion,” organized by the Visual Industry Promotion Organization (VIPO), will be set up within the Indie Area. This pavilion provides a crucial foothold into international markets for Japanese small and mid-sized game companies and independent developers aiming for overseas expansion. In 2025, ten selected developers will exhibit and present their titles to fans and business partners from around the world via playable demo stations. This is positioned as a strategic public–private initiative that showcases not only Japan’s AAA titles but also the diversity and creativity of its indie game scene to the world.
At gamescom 2025, Hall 8 will be added to the Entertainment Area, and the Indie Area will expand into Hall 10.2, among other venue enhancements. Thailand will participate as the first partner country from Southeast Asia. Additional announcements include the introduction of a mobile-friendly digital location finder during the show period, as well as new esports formats such as the Fortnite Creator Championship and the finals of the Die Techniker Prime League.
Japanese Exhibitor Information — From Press Releases
“Japan Pavilion at gamescom 2025”: Ten Participating Titles Announced
- Out of Skull（Operator: イノナカゲームス）
- Wizlite: Everybody loved RPGs（Operator: 株式会社5次元）
- CASSETTE BOY（Operator: 株式会社ワンダーランドカザキリ）
- G’AIM’E × タイムクライシス+（Operator: 達成電器株式会社）
- SAEKO: Giantess Dating Sim（Operator: SAFE HAVN STUDIO）
- Jelly Troops（Operator: Nukenin株式会社）
- SKY THE SCRAPER（Operator: 古淵 寮）
- 戦場のフーガ3（Operator: 株式会社サイバーコネクトツー）
- DRIFTED ドリフテッド（Operator: UrbanFox）
- BANDIT KNIGHT（Operator: GameFloat）
Konami Digital Entertainment: Exhibit Lineup at Europe’s Leading Game Show “gamescom 2025” Decided
Main titles to be exhibited are the global franchises METAL GEAR SOLID Δ: SNAKE EATER, SILENT HILL f, and Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME. Within ONL, a new trailer for SILENT HILL f is scheduled to be revealed. At the booth, METAL GEAR SOLID Δ: SNAKE EATER will be playable before release, and visitors can also try new products for Yu-Gi-Oh! TRADING CARD GAME (Japanese title: 遊戯王オフィシャルカードゲーム).
H3 — Nintendo Announces Participation on Its Official Account; Details Unknown
Mark your calendars: Nintendo will exhibit at @gamescom again in 2025. We look forward to seeing you in Cologne from August 20 to 24!
Rot im Kalender anstreichen: Nintendo ist 2025 wieder auf der @gamescom. Wir freuen uns, euch vom 20. bis 24. August in Köln begrüßen zu dürfen! pic.twitter.com/8B3ibgOyBu
— Nintendo DE (@NintendoDE) May 19, 2025
Capcom’s New Sci-Fi Action-Adventure “PRAGMATA” Planned as a Playable Exhibit
According to a release, the much-talked-about title slated for a 2026 launch is “set to appear at gamescom 2025 with a playable demo, with additional showings planned at game shows in various regions.” Although much about the game remains a mystery, hands-on play should offer a clearer sense of what it is.
The World’s Largest Game Show Opens in August — Keep an Eye on Japanese Companies
Since its debut in 2009, gamescom has grown into an indispensable event for the global games industry and fans—not only in Europe. Its history and track record show unmatched scale and international reach, and it is supported as a unique “festival of games” where exhibition, conference, and festivity converge.
From a MICE perspective, gamescom stands as a successful case of maximizing the “digital multiplier effect,” in which digital expansion amplifies the value of the physical event—offering key lessons for operating large-scale international events. It also heightens overall appeal by creating “festivals within the festival,” with experiences tailored to niche communities such as cosplay, indie games, and board games. As part of its environmental efforts, the comprehensive sustainability initiative “gamescom goes green” is underway, positioning the show as a leading model for the MICE sector.
In 2025, Nintendo’s return, numerous high-profile title announcements, and active participation by Japanese companies are expected to generate a wealth of new information and business opportunities. gamescom will continue to make a significant impact not only on the game industry but on the events industry as a whole.
Note: Photos courtesy of gamescom. (Photo: Koelnmesse / gamescom / Author)
