The Federal President of Germany Steinmeier to visit gamescom 2026 and open gamescom congress

The Federal President of Germany Steinmeier to visit gamescom 2026 and open gamescom congress

A first: The Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier is the first German head of state to visit gamescom, the world’s biggest games event
On stage: He will open the gamescom congress on 27 August with a keynote and join a panel discussion on the role of games in our democracy
Two themes in focus: This year’s gamescom congress centres on ‘Playing Field Democracy’ and ‘The Games Effect’

In 2026, Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier will become the first German head of state to attend gamescom, the world’s biggest event for video games. On 27 August, he will take part in the opening of the gamescom congress, the world’s leading conference on the potential of games. The announcement was made today by the organisers of the gamescom, Koelnmesse and game – The German Games Industry Association. The Federal President will open the congress with a keynote speech and join a panel discussion on the role of games in our democracy. He will then visit gamescom, meeting game developers and members of the community in person to gain a first-hand impression of the many ways games enrich culture and society.

The gamescom congress takes place as part of gamescom. It is aimed at a broad audience from fields such as culture, education, politics, research and the media, as well as representatives from a range of economic sectors keen to learn how other fields can benefit from the games industry’s innovations. This year, the congress puts two highly relevant social themes centre stage through its programme strands ‘Playing Field Democracy’ and ‘The Games Effect’: the positive influence of video games on democratic education, and games as an engine of innovation across the most varied fields – from medicine and industry to the skilled trades, the service sector and public administration.