gamescom 2024 kicks off with record number of exhibitors

New record with more than 1,400 exhibitors +++ New social stage starts with diverse program +++ Preview of gamescom Opening Night Live +++ devcom and gamescom congress at the new Confex +++ Announcement of gamescom LAN 2025

gamescom 2024 will be even more international and diverse than gamescom 2023. More than 1,400 exhibitors from 64 countries will present their products and innovations on 230,000 square meters. That’s about 15 percent more exhibitors than in 2023 – a new record. The number of country pavilions will also increase significantly to 48 from 37 countries – also a new record. This compares with 33 pavilions from 26 countries in 2023.

Gerald Böse, CEO of Koelnmesse: ”The world’s largest gaming event continues to grow. We are delighted to be able to announce these outstanding figures just one week before gamescom kicks off. Together with our partners and co-organizer game – The German Games Industry Association, we are also implementing great innovations that contribute to the diversity and attractiveness of gamescom”.

Felix Falk, Managing Director of game – The German Games Industry Association: ”The omens could hardly be better just a few days before the start of gamescom 2024: Whether it’s the record number of exhibitors, the exciting gamescom Opening Night Live program or new formats like the social stage, it’s clear that the community can expect a games festival like no other this year. The anticipation for the world’s biggest gaming event is huge – both on site in Cologne and digitally around the world.

Highlights on the social stage
From Thursday to Sunday, the new social stage in Hall 11.3 will offer an international program and an extra dose of festival feeling at gamescom. Visitors can look forward to live podcasts, karaoke, music acts and much more. Highlights include the international live podcast ”Friends per Second” with Ralph from SkillUp, Jake from Gameranx and Lucy from Gamespot/Giant Bomb, game soundtracks on the piano with the talented Benyamin Nuss and a live pen-and-paper adventure with Alex from the Dice Actors and friends. More information and a constantly updated program overview of the social stage can be found here.

Preview of gamescom Opening Night Live
The gamescom week traditionally starts with the big opening show gamescom Opening Night Live (ONL), hosted by Geoff Keighley on the evening of August 20th. This year’s co-host is well-known e-sports presenter Eefje ”Sjokz” Depoortere. The show is one of the biggest in the gaming industry worldwide and last year generated over 20 million views in the first few days alone. A number of companies have already announced that they will be presenting news about their games this year. These include the following titles: 2K (Sid Meier’s Civilization® VII), Activision (Call of Duty: Black Ops 6), Capcom (Monster Hunter Wilds), DON’T NOD (Lost Records: Bloom & Rage), Funcom (Dune: Awakening), NetEase (Marvel Rivals), and PLAION (Kingdom Come: Deliverance II). Several other companies and titles will be announced prior to gamescom Opening Night Live. As always, there will be plenty of surprises at the show. On-site capacity has more than doubled this year. Tickets are still available at the gamescom online Ticket Shop.

devcom and gamescom congress celebrate premiere at Confex
The devcom Developer Conference is the first major event to be held at Koelnmesse’s new conference and exhibition center, Confex. The gamescom congress, Europe’s leading conference on the potential of computer games, will also make its debut at this new location. The Confex is the most modern event and congress center in Europe and offers the congress and devcom more space and a more direct connection to the B2B area of gamescom.

The gamescom invest circle will also take place on August 22. Here, investors meet up-and-coming game studios. With the support of KölnBusiness and the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection, 45 studios were prepared for the pitch competition with intensive training sessions.

gamescom LAN to take place again in 2025
After the successful premiere of the gamescom LAN at the Koelnmesse fair grounds in March of this year, the event will go into its second round in 2025 and will offer fans even more exciting elements for an unforgettable experience. gamescom LAN 2025 will once again take place in Cologne from February 21 to 23 and will celebrate the diversity of gaming culture in all its facets together with the community. Advance ticket sales will begin next week during gamescom.

The latest figures for gamescom 2024 at a glance: