gamescom LAN 2026 Breaks 4,000 Visitor Mark
For the first time, gamescom LAN sees more than 4,000 visitors in 2026. 225 creators were on site as well.
– 2 min read
A new record for gamescom LAN: For the first time, 4,000 visitors attended the community event in Cologne. The number of participants had already doubled in 2025, reaching 3,500 fans compared to the premiere the year before. The number of creators also rose for the third year in a row: 225 influencers were on site this year from 20 to 22 March.
“Now in its third year, we can clearly see how gamescom LAN is becoming a tradition within the community,” says Cedric Schlosser, CEO of MYI. “This clearly demonstrates that gamescom LAN is establishing itself as a strong brand. We’re improving every year and continuously expanding the event. It has now become a must-attend event on the calendar for gamers and creators alike.”
Dennis Gehlen, CEO of TaKeTV: “gamescom LAN is, above all, an event driven by passion that brings people together. This is also evident in the many returning groups for whom gamescom LAN is a fixed part of their annual schedule. At the same time, new movements are emerging from this, such as the female streamer collective ‘The Nest,’ which symbolizes solidarity, creativity, and the growing presence of women in the gaming scene. We’re building a real community here, and we’re far from done.”
Felix Falk, Managing Director of game – the German Games Industry Association, adds: “gamescom LAN will continue to grow significantly in 2026. What’s particularly impressive is how closely diverse gaming communities are integrated here—from fans of various esports disciplines to individual creator communities—creating a unique atmosphere that makes gamescom LAN truly one-of-a-kind.”
Oliver Frese, Managing Director and COO of Koelnmesse: “gamescom LAN 2026 impressively demonstrates how strongly and diversely the gamescom brand is growing. With this event, we are specifically expanding the gaming experience to include another communal dimension and creating additional touchpoints for the gaming community. It was particularly wonderful to see the enthusiasm, joy, and passion with which the participants engaged on-site. This great success confirms our mission to inspire people worldwide to love games all year round with gamescom.”
Apart from the visitors, the esports athletes and their competition in games and tabletop was center stage at gamescom LAN, of course. You can find the program and the B2B part of the event here.
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Written by
Pascal Wagner is Chief of Relations of GamesMarket and Senior Editor specialised in indie studios, politics, funding and academic coverage.
