gamescom

What gamescom is

Gamescom is the world's largest trade fair for computer and video games, held at the Koelnmesse exhibition centre in Cologne. The planner lists the 2027 edition from Monday 23 August to Sunday 29 August, with public days from Wednesday to Sunday. According to the event data, over 300,000 visitors are expected, and day tickets often sell out weeks in advance.

The planner lists this edition as confirmed. The wide date range includes set-up and trade days before the public opening, so do not assume you can enter on Monday with a normal ticket.

Dates and how they are set

Gamescom takes place in late August, and the organisers announce the dates years in advance, which is why the 2027 edition is already confirmed. The listed span of 23 to 29 August covers the whole event. The public days are Wednesday 25 August through Sunday 29 August, five days in total.

The days before that are generally reserved for trade visitors, press and the industry. Opening hours and ticket categories, such as day tickets and multi-day options, are set by the organiser, so look at the official site. Do not rely on the range alone to plan your entry day.

Character, what to see and eat

The halls are filled with publisher booths where you can try upcoming games, with stages for esports and developer talks, and areas for merchandise and indie developers. Cosplayers are everywhere, and Cologne itself hosts events around the fair. Expect queues for the most anticipated titles, so decide on two or three priorities per day.

Food at the fairgrounds is the usual convention fare, with queues at midday. Bring water and plan a break outside, for example along the Rhine in Deutz, with the cathedral in view. In the evening, the Belgian Quarter and the old town offer restaurants and brewery pubs where Kölsch is the local beer.

Getting there and where to stay

The Koelnmesse is directly connected to Köln Messe/Deutz station, which has long-distance and regional services, and the main station is one stop away across the Hohenzollern Bridge. Trams and the S-Bahn serve the grounds. Driving is possible, but parking is expensive and congested.

Hotel prices in Cologne rise sharply during gamescom week, as with other big fairs. Consider staying in Bonn, Düsseldorf, Leverkusen or Bergisch Gladbach, all a short train ride away. Book as soon as you decide, and read the cancellation terms before you pay.

Planning around holidays and bridge days in 2027

The public days run Wednesday to Sunday, which means attending all five days costs three vacation days, on Wednesday 25, Thursday 26 and Friday 27 August. Visiting only the weekend costs none, and a Friday to Sunday trip costs one day.

Nordrhein-Westfalen has no public holiday in late August. The Assumption of Mary on 15 August, which some states observe, is not a holiday here and falls on a Sunday in 2027 anyway. The nearest NRW holidays are Corpus Christi on Thursday 27 May 2027, a bridge-day opportunity on Friday 28 May, and later All Saints' Day on Monday 1 November 2027, which gives a three-day weekend without leave. Christmas Day and Boxing Day in 2027 are on Saturday and Sunday.

Because there is no holiday near the fair, you should compare the ticket days with your remaining leave. A good balance for a first visit is Thursday to Saturday, which uses two vacation days, since Saturday is usually the busiest day and midweek queues are shorter.

Tips and who it suits

Gamescom suits gamers, families with teenagers, content creators and people who work in the industry. It is less suitable if you dislike crowds, noise and queues, since the weekend is very busy.

Buy tickets early, pick your top titles in advance, wear comfortable shoes and bring a portable charger. Confirm ticket types, entry rules and opening hours on the official website before you travel.