Koelnmesse and the German Games Industry Association announced on the 17th that German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier will attend the 'Gamescom Congress,' a side event of Gamescom 2026, the world's largest gaming exhibition. This marks the first time a German head of state has visited Gamescom in person.

For context, executive power in German politics rests with the Chancellor. The only previous instance of a German Chancellor attending Gamescom was in 2017, when then-Chancellor Angela Merkel visited the opening ceremony.

President Steinmeier will deliver the keynote address at the opening ceremony of the Gamescom Congress on the morning of the 27th. He is also scheduled to participate in a subsequent panel discussion to share his views on the role of games in a democratic society. Following the discussion, he will head to the Gamescom exhibition floor to meet with developers and members of the gaming community to witness firsthand the impact of games on culture and society.

This year's 'Gamescom Congress' is centered around two core themes: 'The Arena of Democracy' and 'The Games Effect.' The program will analyze the positive impact of video games on democratic education and highlight games as a driving force for innovation across various sectors, including medicine, industry, skilled trades, services, and public administration. The event is aimed at stakeholders from diverse fields such as culture, education, politics, research, and media.

This visit by the German head of state carries symbolic weight, signaling that the government recognizes the gaming industry not merely as entertainment, but as a key pillar of national innovation, culture, and the arts. In 2017, then-Chancellor Angela Merkel attended the opening ceremony of Gamescom to deliver a congratulatory speech, emphasizing the economic value of the industry. With the Federal President—the nation's head of state—now set to visit, Gamescom has solidified its status as an event of significant cultural and political importance.

'Gamescom 2026' will be held in a hybrid online and offline format at the Koelnmesse exhibition center in Cologne, Germany, from the 24th to the 30th. The event kicks off on the 24th with the developer conference 'Gamescom Dev,' followed by the 'Gamescom Opening Night Live' pre-show on the evening of the 25th, which draws the attention of gamers worldwide. The organizer, Koelnmesse, is significantly expanding its global market influence by operating events such as 'Gamescom Latam' in São Paulo, Brazil, and 'Gamescom Asia' in Bangkok, Thailand, in addition to the main event in Cologne.