Gamescom 2026 opened in Cologne, Germany, as the largest edition of the event to date, occupying the full exhibition space and bringing together developers, companies, industry professionals and players across 233,000 square meters.
Record number of exhibitors and national pavilions
This year more than 1,700 exhibitors from 67 countries and regions are on site, surpassing last edition’s record of 1,568 exhibitors. For the first time in the fair’s history, the entire 233,000 m² allocated for exhibitions is fully occupied.
Gamescom 2026 also features a record 47 national and regional pavilions, hosting a mix that ranges from major industry players to independent developers from around the world.
Major companies present at the fair include Xbox, Sega and Nintendo, which are using the event to showcase updates and offer playable demos.
Playable highlights and major titles
Attendees can try titles such as Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds and Mario Kart World, along with a variety of other releases presented throughout the week.
The Witcher 3 queues after remastered reveal
One of the public draws at Gamescom is The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, spotlighted after announcements made during the Opening Night Live presentation.
CD Projekt Red unveiled The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt — Remastered, an update that brings graphical, performance and gameplay improvements to the RPG. The company also shared initial details about a new expansion titled Songs of the Past.
Those announcements renewed interest in the title at the fair, generating queues of visitors eager to try the updated game during Gamescom.
Artificial intelligence discussions gain prominence
Alongside major upcoming releases, artificial intelligence is a prominent topic at Gamescom 2026. Developers and companies are discussing how AI-based tools may be integrated into production pipelines and creative workflows within the games industry.
The conversations reflect a broader shift in game development as projects grow in scale, cost and technical complexity.
Attendance expectations and event schedule
Gamescom runs through August 30. Public access began on Thursday, August 27.
The organizers expect to receive more than 350,000 visitors by the event’s close. Despite the expanded footprint, record exhibitor numbers and growing international participation, the fair’s stated central aim remains to bring players, developers and communities together.
