Are you planning to visit gamescom for the first time and want to know all about the areas, program highlights, where to stay, and what to do in Cologne? Or maybe you want to see how it has evolved over the years? We’ve got you covered with our gamescom 2024 guide!
Table of Contents
This article is part of our blog series on gaming conventions. For even more content, be sure to head over here and check out the other blogs!
What and where
- When and where: 21-25 August 2024 in Cologne, Germany
- Who is it for: Gamers, cosplayers, content creators, eSports enthusiasts, and trade visitors
gamescom is the largest gaming convention in the world, held once a year at the Koelnmesse in Cologne, Germany. Over 1,000 exhibitors showcase their latest and greatest every year, making it a video game lover’s paradise. It’s where game developers pull back the curtain on upcoming titles and cutting-edge hardware. You get the first look at what’s next, often before anyone else.
And it’s not just for fans – gamescom has an entire section dedicated to industry professionals, from publishers and journalists to developers. This is where the future of gaming is not just discussed but shaped. Just before gamescom kicks off, there’s devcom, a special conference exclusively for game development. It’s where the magic behind the games happens, occurring in the same buzzing area.
💡 Tip: If you’re going to gamescom for the first time, check out our Convention Survival Guide! It covers everything you need to know about attending a gaming convention!
gamescom 2024 Program & Highlights
Our editorial team has put together some tips and highlights of incredible booths and activities you won’t want to miss!
Hall Plan
- Halls 2 to 4: business area
- Hall 5: merchandise area, cards & boards area, cosplay village
- Halls 6, 7, and 9: entertainment area
- Hall 8: event area
- Hall 10: campus, indie, retro, and family & friends area
- Hall 11: creator co-working space, social area
Opening Night Live
Hosted by the legendary Geoff Keighley, the mastermind behind The Game Awards and Summer Game Fest, the Opening Night Live is the ultimate gamescom kickoff – a nearly two-hour spectacle packed with new game trailers, exciting announcements, and appearances by some of the industry’s biggest names.
In 2024, Opening Night Live will be co-hosted by none other than Eefje Depoortere, aka Sjokz. The unforgettable evening starts on August 20 at 8 p.m. in Hall 8. Remember, you’ll need to show your ticket to get your admission stamp at the North Entrance box office, which opens at 3 p.m.
gamescom award
The gamescom award shines a spotlight on the most innovative, creative, and well-crafted games, recognizing the incredible achievements of developers in 16 different categories, as voted on by a panel of experts and the community.
gamescom city festival
The gamescom city festival is the ultimate after-party for gamers and music lovers. Over a jam-packed weekend, the city comes alive with the sounds of nationally renowned artists and fresh, up-and-coming talent. In addition to the musical performances, delicious street food is served on every corner.
gamescom congress
The gamescom congress is Europe’s premier conference highlighting the immense potential of computer games. Whether you’re a gamer, a tech enthusiast, or just curious about the future, this is the place to see how game technologies are revolutionizing various economic and social sectors.
This year’s congress features many exciting new themes, led by “Games and Artificial Intelligence” and “Games and Democracy.” The event is moving to a new home: the state-of-the-art Confex conference center at Koelnmesse. This move will allow for more guests than ever before and provide top-notch facilities for an enhanced experience. Networking at this year’s congress will also receive a significant upgrade. Dynamic formats such as roundtables and speed dating will foster deeper connections between experts from different fields.
💡 Tip: Check out our networking guide for networking tips and tricks!
Areas
- cosplay village: Here, you’ll find amazing cosplays, an original show program, a vibrant community, artists, music acts, show acts, live casts, and more!
- event arena: Immerse yourself in the electrifying eSports scene and grand shows and soak up the unique atmosphere with hundreds of fellow fans!
- social area: Dive into speedruns or snag autographs from your favorite stars.
- retro area: Relive the evolution of digital entertainment with over 200 classic game consoles and computers
- gamescom campus area: Discover endless career and training opportunities in the games industry.
- family & friends: Connect with gamers of all ages, explore new technologies, and share the joy of gaming.
- indie area: Explore the heart of innovation at gamescom, where passionate indie developers from around the world showcase their groundbreaking game titles.
- merchandise area: Find all the fan gear you need for the latest games and beloved classics.
cosplay village highlights
- CosAid Cosplay Repair: Got a costume emergency? Whether it’s a torn seam or a broken prop, the CosAid team will get your outfit back in shape.
- Dinoshop Nerdstuff: Adventure awaits at the Dinoshop Nerdstuff booth! Step into the world of Baldur’s Gate 3 or immerse yourself in the Indiana Jones experience.
- RADnecks: Fallout lovers, this is your haven! The RADnecks bring the post-apocalyptic world of Fallout to life with incredible costumes and props.
- Sewcase: Sewcase is a fan-founded initiative that features amazing League of Legends cosplay content.
cosplay stage highlights
- cosplay stage opening (Thursday, 10:45 – 11 a.m.)
- Cosplay Talk (Thursday, 2 – 2:45 p.m.)
- Cosplay-Catwalk by Sewcase (Thursday, 5 – 5:45 p.m.)
- Talk with Vincent Fallow & Tom Ferenc (Friday, 4 – 4:45 p.m.)
- Star Dream Entertainment (Saturday, 11 – 11:45 a.m.)
- Cosplay Live crafting with Ryo (Saturday, 1 – 1:45 p.m.)
- gamescom cosplay contest (Saturday, 5 – 7 p.m.)
- Live PnP with Dragon Legion (Sunday, 12 – 12:45 p.m.)
- Lucky Chocolate Maid Cafe & Sweet Spice Host (Sunday, 1 – 1:45 p.m.)
- Runeterra & Valorant Universe cosplay catwalk (Sunday, 4 – 4:45 p.m.)
event arena highlights
- Start and welcome with JustJohnny and Ollimeee (Friday, 12 – 12:30 p.m.)
- Ripped off with HandOfBlood and Papfi (Friday, 12:30 – 2 p.m.)
- NZXT Quizshow & Battle with HoneyPuu and Papfi (Friday, 2 – 3 p.m.)
- OMEN PowerTeam Showdown with HandOfBlood and HoneyPuu (Friday, 3 – 4 p.m.)
- Asphalt Legends Unite Global Finals (Sunday, 10:15 a.m. – 2 p.m.)
- Brawl Stars Championship Playoffs (Sunday, 1:45 – 5:45 p.m.)
social area highlights
You can get autographs from the following creators in the signing area:
- Aria Addams
- Bonjwa Redpanda
- CreepyPastaPunch
- DaDania
- Darkredsakura
- Dävid
- FiNessi
- Fixx
- HeyStan
- HollyL
- Huebi
- Ifas_Core
- IsyCheesy
- Kamui Cosplay
- Kapuzenwurm
- LizaGrimm
- Maul Cosplay
- Maxim
- Metashi
- Michael Sattler
- Mienah
- Naoki Yoshida
- Nasty little bug
- OttoBulletproof
- Reeze & Starletnova
- Residence of Evil
- Ronny Berger
- Ryan Cole
- Sev
- Silvia aka Ailaughatmyownjokes
- Simfinity
- Sterzik
- Tobbss
- Toni Michael Sattler
- Trymacs
- Vicky aka redheadbegins
- Vincent Fallow
social stage highlights
- Minecraft with Silvia and Vicky (Thursday, 2 – 3:45 p.m.)
- Live Podcast: FriendsPerSecond with Lucy James, Ralph Pannebianco, Jake Baldino (Thursday, 4 – 5:45 p.m.)
- Endgegner – Best of Retro-Games-Music (Thursday, 6 – 7 p.m.)
- Bisalina Speedruns (Friday, 12 – 6 p.m.)
- Talk: Krisenchat (Live Podcast “Mental Hell”) (Saturday, 12 – 1 p.m.)
- Talk & Quiz: Good Vibes Gaming (Saturday, time TBA)
- Live Pen&Paper with Alex from Dice Actors and friends (Sunday, 12:10 – 3:10 p.m.)
- Cozy Karaoky with JuliMi and Feedeline (Sunday, 4:45 – 5:45 p.m.)
Exhibitors and Games
Exhibitors and Publishers
- Aerosoft
- Amazon Games
- Astragon Entertainment
- Bandai Namco Entertainment
- Bethesda
- Blizzard Entertainment
- Capcom (Monster Hunter Wilds)
- Electronic Arts
- Focus Entertainment
- Frontier Developments
- Funcom (Dune Awakening)
- Giants Software (Farming-Simulator)
- HoYoverse (Genshin Impact, Zenless Zone Zero)
- Knights Peak Interactive
- Krafton (PUBG)
- LEGO
- Level Infinite
- Microsoft Xbox
- NetEase
- Nexon
- Niantic
- Pearl Abyss (Red Desert, Crimson Desert)
- Plaion
- Raw Fury
- S-Game (Phantom Blade Zero)
- SEGA
- Square Enix
- Take-Two Interactive
- Team 17
- THQ Nordic (Gothic Remake, Titan Quest 2)
- Ubisoft
Games
- Ace Attorney Investigations Collections (Hall 9)
- Age of Mythology: Retold (Hall 7)
- Alienbreed (Hall 6)
- Aquapark Tycoon (Hall 10.2)
- Ara: History Untold (Hall 7)
- Assassin’s Creed Shadows (Hall 6)
- Atomfall (Hall 7)
- Avowed (Hall 7)
- Commandos: Origins (Hall 7)
- Constance (Hall 10.2)
- Construction Simulator (Hall 4)
- Coridden (Hall 10.1)
- Crimson Desert (Hall 6)
- Dark and Darker Mobile (Hall 7)
- Date Everything (Hall 7)
- DeathSprint66 (Hall 6)
- Den of Wolves (Hall 6)
- Detached (Hall 10.1)
- Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred (Hall 7)
- Diablo Immortal (Hall 7)
- Disney Epic Mickey: Rebrushed (Remake) (Hall 7)
- Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero (Hall 6)
- Dune Awakening (Hall 6)
- Dustborn (Hall 7)
- EA Sports FC 25 (Hall 6)
- Emergency Call 112: The Fire Fighting Simulation (Hall 9)
- Empire of the Ants (Hall 6)
- Endzone 2 (Hall 10.2)
- Enotria: The Last Song (Hall 10.1)
- Exoborne (Hall 6)
- Farewell North (Hall 10.2)
- Fallout 76 (Hall 7)
- Farming Simulator 25 (Hall 6 + Hall 7)
- Fernbus Simulator (Hall 9)
- Final Fantasy XIV (Hall 9)
- Flint: Treasure of Oblivion (Hall 6)
- Fortnite Festival (Hall 7)
- Forza Horizon 5 (Hall 7)
- Funko Fusion (Hall 7)
- Genshin Impact (Hall 6)
- Global Farmer (Hall 9)
- Goddess of Victory: NIKKE (Hall 6)
- Golf With Your Friends (Hall 6)
- Gothic (Remake) (Hall 7)
- Heavy Cargo: The Truck Simulator (Hall 9)
- Highway Police Simulator (Hall 9)
- Honkay: Star Rail (Hall 6)
- Indiana Jones and the Great Circle (Hall 7)
- inZOI (Hall 7)
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 (Hall 9)
- Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess (Hall 9)
- Little Nightmares 3 (Hall 6 + Hall 7)
- Mandragora (Hall 10.1)
- Marvel’s Rivals (Hall 7)
- Mecha BREAK (Hall 7)
- Medical Shift: The Emergency Room Simulator (Hall 9)
- Metaphor: ReFantazio (Hall 7)
- Microsoft Flight Simulator (Hall 7)
- Monster Hunter Wilds (Hall 9)
- Morriton Manor Stories: Nordic Whispers (Hall 10.2)
- Overcooked (Hall 6)
- Overwatch 2 (Hall 7)
- Parking World (Hall 9)
- Phantom Blade Zero (Hall 10.1)
- Pioneers of Pagonia (Hall 10.2)
- Planet Coaster 2 (Hall 7)
- Police Simulator: Patrol Officers (Hall 6)
- PUBG Battlegrounds (Hall 7)
- Railroads Online (Hall 6)
- Road Maintenance Simulator 2 (Hall 9)
- Screw Drivers (Hall 10.2)
- Sid Meier’s Civilization 7 (Hall 6)
- Smushi Come Home (Hall 10.2)
- Sonic X Shadow Generations (Hall 7)
- Space Marine 2 (Hall 7)
- S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl (Hall 7)
- Starfield: Shattered Space (Hall 7)
- Starship Troopers: Extermination (Hall 10.1)
- Star Wars Outlaws (Hall 6 + Hall 7)
- Street Fighter 6 (Hall 9)
- Symphonia (Hall 10.2)
- Tavern Talk (Hall 10.2)
- TerraScape (Hall 10.2)
- The Bus (Hall 9)
- The Coma 2B: Catacomb (Hall 10.2)
- The Darkest Files (Hall 10.2)
- The Elder Scrolls Online (Hall 7)
- The Escapists (Hall 6)
- The First Berserker: Khazan (Hall 9)
- The Smurfs – Dreams (Hall 6)
- Titan Quest 2 (Hall 7)
- Towerborne (Hall 7)
- Train Sim World 4 (Hall 7)
- Truck & Logistics Simulator (Hall 9)
- Unknown 9: Awakening (Hall 9)
- V Rising (Hall 6)
- Valorant (Hall 7)
- Vambrace: Dungeon Monarch (Hall 10.2)
- Visions of Mana (Hall 7)
- Wanderer’s Sigil: Diced-Fueled Adventure (Hall 10.1)
- Weakless (Hall 10.1)
- World of Warcraft: The War Within (Hall 7)
- Worms Armageddon (Hall 6)
- Zenless Zone Zero (Hall 6)
- Zoria: Age of Shattering (Hall 10.1)
Hardware
- AMD
- Asus (via Webedia) (Hall 10.1)
- Corsair Halle (Hall 10.1)
- Gigabyte (Hall 10)
- Harman Germany (Hall 9)
- HP (Omen) (Hall 7)
- LG Electronics (Hall 10.1)
- Logitech (Hall 10.1)
- Medion (Hall 9)
- Microsoft / Xbox (Hall 7)
- Philips (Hall 10.1)
- Samsung Electronics (Hall 9)
- Sony Germany (not Sony Interactive) (Hall 9)
- Western Digital (Hall 9)
Exhibitors cards & boards area
- ADC Blackfire Entertainment
- Hasbro Deutschland
- Konami
- Pegasus-Spiele
- Ravensburger
- Ulisses Spiele
Media, Platforms, and eSports
- ESL Faceit Group
- Rocket Beans Entertainment (Hall 9)
- SK Gaming (Hall 9)
- TikTok (Hall 10.1)
- Webedia (GameStar, GamePro) (Hall 10.1)
Exhibitor Spotlight: Knights Peak Interactive
Knights Peak Interactive, the fresh new label from MY.GAMES (Pathfinder: Kingmaker, Blast Brigade) is making waves in the gaming world with a stellar lineup of premium titles! Starship Troopers: Extermination is leading the charge, a high-octane online shooter that throws up to 16 players into brutal battles against the infamous Bugs.
MY.GAMES, known for its success in free2play and mobile games, is now venturing into premium PC and console games with Knights Peak Interactive. Industry veterans Mario Gerhold and Jan-Eric Lauble are part of this new division, which is led by Eugenio Vitale, a seasoned expert from Plaion (formerly Koch Media).
Mario Gerhold gave PLITCH an exclusive look at what visitors can expect at the Knights Peak Interactive booth at gamescom and what aspects are particularly challenging:
“Our big challenge this year is to build a 3-meter-high bug based on the movie Starship Troopers by Paul Verhoeven. How strong does the wall have to be to hold a giant 3D print? The structure will be so special that visitors can “impale” themselves on it. We also have the German Starship Troopers cosplayers at our booth. How do we get the Troopers’ “weapons” into the booth and secure them? This will definitely be a highlight in hall 10.1 because next to the giant bug, we also have a fantastic giant wolf for our other game, Mandragora.”
– Mario Gerhold, Global Brand & Marketing Director at Knights Peak Interactive
gamescom: A Journey Through the Years
2009: A Grand Debut
gamescom burst onto the scene in 2009. Over 245,000 gamers and trade visitors flooded the halls, smashing previous records and setting the stage for an unforgettable event. The excitement peaked with the unveiling of the PlayStation 3 Slim, BioShock 2, Diablo III, StarCraft II, Fable III, Borderlands, and many more.
2010: Motion Control Madness
In 2010, 254,000 people attended gamescom. PlayStation Move and Microsoft’s Kinect took center stage, revolutionizing how gamers interacted with their consoles. Sony’s Gran Turismo 5 stole the show, winning multiple awards, including the “Best of gamescom.”
2011: The Rise of eSports
Held from August 17-21, gamescom 2011 attracted 275,000 visitors. The highlight was the first-ever Dota 2 International Championship, which boasted the largest prize pool in eSports history at the time. EA’s Battlefield 3 and Star Wars: The Old Republic took home the gamescom awards for “Best of gamescom” and “Best Online Game,” respectively.
2012: Stealth and Simulation
From August 15-19, 2012, gamescom repeated its previous attendance record with 275,000 visitors. Bethesda’s Dishonored took home the “Best of gamescom” award, while SimCity was named Best PC Game.
2013: Next-Gen Consoles Unveiled
2013 was a monumental year for gamescom, with a staggering 340,000 visitors. Gamers were treated to the first European Xbox One and PlayStation 4 showcases. Bungie’s Destiny dominated the awards, heightening the excitement for the next generation of gaming.
2014: eSports Takes Center Stage
The 2014 event featured 335,000 attendees and significant eSports tournaments. ESL One Cologne for Counter-Strike Global Offensive and the European League Championship Series playoffs in League of Legends were among the highlights. The competitive spirit was contagious, making eSports an integral part of gamescom.
2015: Expanding Horizons
From August 5-9, 2015, gamescom expanded with 345,000 visitors. Star Wars: Battlefront emerged as the “Best of gamescom,” delighting fans of the iconic franchise. The event’s growing size and variety of games showcased the ever-expanding gaming world.
2016: Virtual Reality Revolution
In 2016, gamescom embraced the VR trend. Gamers experienced the future with Oculus Rift, HTC Vive, and PlayStation VR. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild won “Best of gamescom,” blending nostalgia with cutting-edge technology.
2017: A Political First
gamescom 2017 made history when German Chancellor Angela Merkel opened the event. With 355,000 visitors, it was a record-breaking year. Super Mario Odyssey claimed the top award, wowing fans with its innovative gameplay.
2018: RTX and Record Crowds
From August 21-25, 2018, 370,000 gamers attended gamescom. Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 20 Series announcement set the tech world abuzz. FromSoftware’s Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice won the “Best of gamescom” award, promising intense action and adventure.
2019: Cloud Gaming & Live Shows
In 2019, gamescom introduced digital queues to streamline the gaming experience for its 320,000 guests. The first “Opening Night Live” show, hosted by Geoff Keighley, premiered new games and trailers, making it a must-see event.
2020: Going Digital
The COVID-19 pandemic forced gamescom 2020 into a digital format from August 25-29. Despite the challenges, Cyberpunk 2077 shone as the “Best of gamescom.” The digital pivot showcased the resilience and adaptability of the gaming community.
2021: Digital Encore
gamescom 2021 had to be a digital event once again. Geoff Keighley returned to host Opening Night Live, continuing the tradition of exciting game reveals and updates.
2022: Back to the Roots
From August 24 to 28, 2022, gamescom welcomed 265,000 visitors in person and online. Despite some big-name absences, the event thrived with 1,100 exhibitors from 53 countries, demonstrating the global reach and community spirit of gaming.
2023: Unstoppable Excitement
In 2023, gamescom saw 320,000 visitors. An unexpected stage interruption with an insistent request for GTA VI marked the event’s opening night but didn’t dampen the excitement. With the return of large crowds and live interactions, gamescom 2023 proved the enduring appeal of the gaming world.
gamescom and Sustainability
Gamescom is making history as the first-ever climate-friendly gaming event. After an impressive start last year, they’re doubling down on sustainability efforts this time around. Here’s what’s in store:
Energy, Booth Construction, Food
gamescom is reducing its carbon footprint by focusing on energy efficiency and eco-friendly booth construction. They’re also making a big push for greener food choices, increasing vegetarian and vegan options by 30% across all food outlets.
Leveling up the Recycling Game
Last year, plastic bottle deposit bins were placed throughout the event. The best part? The money from these deposits goes directly into expanding the gamescom forest, a community-driven project that has already grown over 25,000 m² of trees near Bayreuth.
Grow the gamescom forest
Want to make a direct impact? Join the mission to expand the gamescom forest by donating via Germany’s largest donation platform, betterplace.org. Starting at just 1 Euro, your contribution will help to reforest areas and create a climate-resilient mixed forest that preserves species and fights climate change.
Tips on the Location
Hotels, Shops, Restaurants, and more at a glance
Check out our exclusive Google Map for hotels, restaurants, cool gaming shops, things to do in Cologne, and more!
Where to Stay
gamescom camp
Imagine you’re just a stone’s throw away from gamescom, but instead of a pricey hotel room or Airbnb, you’re camping out at the ultimate festival-style hub for gamers – the gamescom camp. Nestled in the scenic Jugendpark on the banks of the Rhine, it’s not just a place to crash; it’s Europe’s largest campsite for gamers.
Whether you’re chilling by the campfire, enjoying the free Wi-Fi tent, or playing pool in the cozy café, there’s always something going on. Need to relax? Head to the Chill Out Zone for relaxing tunes and delicious street food. For those who still have energy to burn, the Action Area offers basketball, pool, table football, and more.
Hotels
If you’re not a fan of camping and prefer a real bed to a sleeping bag, we’ve put together a small selection of hotels for every budget.
Radisson Blu Hotel, Cologne
- Location: Messe-Kreisel 3
- Features: Proximity to the gamescom venue (Koelnmesse), fitness center, and modern rooms
Hotel Stadtpalais
- Location: Deutz-Kalker-Straße 52
- Features: Historic building, close to the venue, and sauna
Ibis Köln Messe
- Location: Brügelmannstraße 1
- Features: Basic but comfortable rooms, affordable rates, and walking distance to the venue
Jugendherberge Köln-Deutz
- Location: Siegesstraße 5, Deutz
- Features: Budget-friendly, hostel-style accommodation, and very close to Koelnmesse
Ibis Budget Köln Messe
- Location: Brügelmannstraße 7
- Features: Budget-friendly, simple, and modern rooms and within walking distance of the venue
Hotel Motel One Köln-Messe
- Location: Am Kümpchenshof 2
- Features: Stylish design, central location, and good value for money
Messehotel Köln-Deutz
- Location: Clevischer Ring 121
- Features: Simple and affordable rooms, convenient location for Koelnmesse events
Hotel Skada City Cölln
- Location: Olpener Straße 876
- Features: Budget-friendly, simple rooms, and convenient for public transport
Hotel Ilbertz
- Location: Mindener Straße 6
- Features: Family-run hotel, close to public transport, and reasonable rates
Liberty Hotel Cologne ehem. Hotel Pütz
- Location: Clevischer Ring 121
- Features: Affordable accommodation, basic amenities, and close to Koelnmesse
Gästehaus ‘Zur guten Quelle’ GmbH
- Location: Merheimer Straße 228
- Features: Guesthouse with simple rooms, budget-friendly, and easy access to public transport
B&B HOTEL Köln-Messe
- Location: Gummersbacher Straße 1
- Features: Basic yet modern rooms, affordable rates, and close to Koelnmesse
Adina Apartment Hotel Cologne
- Location: Magnusstraße 20
- Features: Apartment-style rooms with kitchen facilities, fitness center, and central location
Tips for Hotels
- Early reservations: Hotels near the Koelnmesse (gamescom venue) fill up quickly, so booking as early as possible is best.
- Public transportation: Cologne has an efficient public transportation system, so even hotels further away from the venue can be convenient.
- Flexible booking: Consider free cancellation options in case your plans change.
- Reviews: Check out the latest reviews and ratings on TripAdvisor, Booking.com, or Expedia to ensure the best experience.
- Packing: Check out our blog for a downloadable packing list to make sure you don’t forget anything.
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