Look, let us be honest: Gamescom Congress 2026, held on August 26 (local time), completely smashed records by pulling in over 1,100 visitors, marking the highest turnout in its history.

This year's congress saw German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier make his very first visit ever to deliver the opening keynote. The president stated, "I believe that digital games possess overarching cultural significance and are therefore vitally important to our democracy." The discussion tackled the profound impact games have on various industries and how the medium can actively boost democracy.

On top of that, a whopping 165 experts stepped up as speakers to lecture on the potential of games across education, culture, economy, science, and society. A total of 85 programs ran smoothly across 8 stages.

This year's congress was built around key themes like 'Democracy as a Playing Field' and 'The Games Effect'. Representatives from heavy-hitting international organisations such as Europol, the Red Cross, and the UN joined forces with industry pros.

Notable participants included Razer, Paintbucket Games, remote control productions, and ROTxBLAU. Academic heavyweights like the Freiburg University of Education, the Jena Center for Research on Democracy and Society (IDZ), and the Paderborn IT Specialised Education Centre also shared their ongoing research and findings.

Felix Falk, managing director of the German Games Industry Association and co-organiser of Gamescom Congress 2026, shared: "With the Federal President's historic first visit and a fresh attendance record, this year's Gamescom Congress has wrapped up more successfully than ever. It once again highlights how games, as a forward-thinking medium, positively shape the crucial issues of our time across business, culture, education, and science while providing vital stimuli."

Gerald Böse, CEO of Koelnmesse GmbH and co-organiser of the event, chimed in: "Gamescom Congress 2026 has once again put the immense societal potential of gaming on full display. The visit by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the prestigious panels featuring international bodies, and the robust initiatives to promote democratic values proved just that. Topics stretching far beyond the games industry itself were tackled, and alongside the association, we are proud to build a vital platform for this kind of exchange right here in Cologne."