There were around 265,000 visitors last year and tens of thousands will make the pilgrimage to Cologne again in 2023 to find out about upcoming video games at Gamescom. An overview of the most important information for gamers.
Gamescom, the largest video game fair in the world, will take place from August 23rd to 27th this year. However, video game fans can already start the event on August 22, because the Opening Night Live takes place on Tuesday. High-ranking visitors are expected on Wednesday. Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck (53) has announced that he will be at the official opening. A tour is planned for the following day.
Canadian video game journalist Geoff Keighley is not only the man behind the annual Game Awards, but has also been the face of Opening Night Live for a number of years. During the show there will be previews of upcoming games, including some world premieres, short talks with developers and more. The event will also be streamed live and can be viewed from 8:00 p.m. on YouTube and Twitch, among other places.
On August 23, the fair will be open from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., but Wednesday is reserved for trade visitors. Fans can visit Gamescom on Thursday and Friday between 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Trade visitors have access one hour earlier. On Saturday and Sunday the halls are open from 09:00 to 20:00.
Gamers can buy tickets online on the Gamescom website. A day ticket for Thursday, Friday and Sunday is 27 euros, for Saturday 36 euros. Reduced tickets, including for schoolchildren and trainees, are available for 19.50 euros and 28 euros respectively.
Day tickets for families – a maximum of five people, including a maximum of two adults and at least one child between the ages of seven and twelve – are 60 euros and 75 euros for Saturday. Children between the ages of four and six are admitted free of charge. Evening tickets, with which access is only permitted from 4 p.m., cost nine euros and eleven euros. According to the organizer, the Opening Night Live is sold out.
From the age of twelve, young people are allowed to visit the fair without parents. Children between the ages of four and eleven are only admitted when accompanied by an adult. Children under the age of four are generally not allowed to visit. A large part of the fair should be accessible to the whole family and so all publicly visible trailers and games are checked by the USK. In order to be able to view content from the age of 16 and 18 in separate areas, visitors must show the corresponding colored wristbands, which are available at issuing offices and are only handed out on presentation of photo identification.
The trade fair offers a detailed overview of the various travel options on its website. Gamers arriving by car will find the exhibition center directly from the motorway ring around Cologne, parking areas are marked.
By train, the Germany ticket could be an option, with which travelers can travel throughout Germany for a month for 49 euros and use all public transport. However, the ticket is not valid for ICEs or ECs, among other things.
Numerous well-known and small exhibitors from 60 countries will be represented at Gamescom 2023 on an exhibition area of 230,000 square meters. Among others, Amazon Games, Bandai Namco Entertainment, Blizzard Entertainment, Devolver Digital, Microsoft Xbox, Nintendo, Sega, Ubisoft and Warner Bros. will show news about their own games. Sony Interactive Entertainment or THQ Nordic are not included.
