Gamescom 2026: Saxony Demonstrates Gaming Industry Strength

<p>From August 26 to 28, 2026, Cologne will once again transform into the world capital of computer and video games. At Gamescom, the world's largest trade fair of its kind, Saxony's gaming industry will present itself in a unified manner this year – setting a clear sign of the Free State's growing importance as a gaming location.</p>

<h2>Record participation from Leipzig</h2> <p>The Saxon! joint stand brings together a total of 24 exhibitors, including 13 companies and institutions from Leipzig alone – more than ever before. Among the Leipzig studios are FusionPlay GmbH, Inclusive Gaming GmbH, Rat King Entertainment GbR, and Level Labs GmbH. "13 companies and institutions from Leipzig are represented at Gamescom this year – more than ever before. This demonstrates the dynamism of our location," explains Anja Hähle-Posselt, head of the City of Leipzig's Economic Development Office. With the R42 Games Hub & Accelerator and a strong industry network, the city actively supports studios and start-ups in founding, growing, and networking.</p>

<h2>Business Area with prominent neighboring stands</h2> <p>The SAXONY! stand is located in the Business Area of the trade fair, specifically in Hall 4.1, booth A051g to B060g – in direct proximity to stands of other federal states. This positioning emphasizes the ambition to demonstrate not only creative diversity but also economic substance. The joint stand is organized by Wirtschaftsförderung Sachsen GmbH on behalf of the Saxon State Ministry for Economics, Labor, Energy and Climate Protection. This is already the second time the Free State has presented itself with its own joint stand at Gamescom – a format that has clearly proven its worth.</p>

<h3>Panel talk as industry barometer</h3> <p>A highlight of the accompanying program is the panel talk "THAT'S SAXONY!". There, Friedrich Lüder, managing director of Games & XR Mitteldeutschland e.V., discusses the status quo of Saxony's gaming industry together with Uli Quasebarth, CEO of Cosmic Stag Games, and Martin Beyer from tox2 interactive, and how it is perceived from outside. Such formats are intended to strengthen networking within the industry while at the same time exciting an international audience about Saxony as a location.</p>

<h2>A crowd magnet with global appeal</h2> <p>The dimensions of Gamescom itself remain impressive: more than 350,000 visitors immerse themselves in virtual worlds in Cologne each year and test the latest game developments. For Saxon studios and institutions, the trade fair thus offers a rare opportunity to present themselves to a global specialist audience as well as potential investors and cooperation partners. Further information on the joint stand and accompanying program will be continuously published via the shared brand website Next Level: Saxony!</p>

<h2>Conclusion and outlook</h2> <p>The repeated joint appearance demonstrates: Saxony has established itself as a serious gaming location in Germany. The increasing number of exhibitors from Leipzig proves that support structures such as the R42 Games Hub & Accelerator are having an impact and that founders in the region are increasingly successful. With its appearance at Gamescom 2026, the Free State is further positioning itself in the international competition among gaming locations – a trend that is likely to continue in the coming years given the industry's growing importance.</p>