European Commission Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen to visit gamescom for the first time

Henna Virkkunen is visiting gamescom, the world’s biggest games event, for the first time this year. The European Commission’s Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy and Commissioner responsible for digital and frontier technologies will take part in the political opening ceremony, where she will speak about the EU’s games strategy. Virkkunen will then join the opening tour alongside Vice-Chancellor and Federal Minister of Finance Lars Klingbeil, Federal Research Minister Dorothee Bär and Hendrik Wüst, Minister President of North Rhine-Westphalia. The tour gives the guests of honour a first-hand impression of the latest developments and trends in the games industry.

About gamescom:

gamescom is the world’s biggest gaming event and the most important business platform for the international games industry. From 24 to 30 August 2026, it will bring together developers, trade visitors, companies and millions of fans from all over the world – on site in Cologne and digitally around the globe. The week kicks off on 24 August with the developer conference gamescom dev. gamescom then opens to the public on the evening of 25 August with the big opening show, gamescom Opening Night Live. Throughout the week, gamescom offers a unique mix of entertainment, business and community experience. Alongside gamescom in Cologne, further successful international editions have become established with gamescom latam in São Paulo and gamescom asia x Thailand Game Show in Bangkok.

game – The German Games Industry Association

We are the association of the German games industry. Our members represent the entire video game ecosystem, from development studios and publishers to esports event organisers, educational institutions and other related entities. We are co-organisers of gamescom, the world’s biggest event for video games. We are a shareholder in the Entertainment Software Self-Regulation Body (USK), the Foundation for Digital Games Culture, the esports player foundation, game events and the collecting society VHG, as well as co-host of the German Computer Game Awards. Serving as a central point of contact for media, as well as political and social institutions, we provide comprehensive expertise in areas including market development, game culture and media literacy, and address any inquiries or concerns. Together we are making Germany the heart of gaming worldwide. With games, we enrich the lives of all people.

Koelnmesse – trade fairs for the gaming industry:

Koelnmesse is an international leader in organising trade fairs in the gaming and entertainment sector. At its exhibition centre in Cologne, gamescom presents the world’s biggest event for computer and video games and Europe’s largest business platform for the games industry. gamescom effectively brings together gaming fans, trade visitors and exhibitors from all over the world – on site in Cologne or digitally from anywhere in the world. This makes gamescom the B2C, B2B and B2G event for games. Koelnmesse is also strategically expanding its international portfolio: in South East Asia, gamescom asia x Thailand Game Show offers a further effective industry platform for the rapidly growing Asia-Pacific games market, comprehensively bringing together supply and demand. For Brazil and Latin America, gamescom latam is a key event aimed at boosting the strong growth of this market.