Thousands of video game fans will make the pilgrimage to Cologne again at the end of August. Gamescom is celebrating its live return after the Corona break.
Although Gamescom has been held digitally for the past two years, the gaming world will return to the exhibition halls in Cologne at the end of August. Video game fans can expect not only long queues and quite expensive drinks and snacks, but also meetings with their favorite YouTubers and Twitch streamers, a reunion with old online friends and, of course, a glimpse of upcoming game highlights. “Like before. Only better.” With these words, the organizers of Gamescom are looking forward to the event, which will take place in Cologne at the end of August, on the trade fair’s homepage.
What about Corona?
As early as March, a press release said that due to the corona pandemic, a “tested hygiene and safety concept” should be used. According to information on the website of the world’s largest gaming trade fair, the measures include improved management at admission, optimized visitor guidance and wider aisles.
Koelnmesse reserves the right to decide on possible regulations for Gamescom at a later date – for example, a possible obligation to wear a mask or the 3G regulation are mentioned. The website currently recommends “only entering the site if you are vaccinated, recovered or tested and voluntarily wear medical mouth and nose protection”. Access to the site is prohibited in the case of corresponding symptoms of illness.
Where are tickets available?
If you want to experience the live comeback of Gamescom this year after the Corona break, you have to take care of tickets in advance. There will be no box office for tickets. The tickets, which have been on sale since the beginning of June, are only available digitally. Users must create an account on the official website to purchase the card, and the card can then be accessed via a free app for Android and iOS.
How much are the tickets?
On August 24, the trade fair will only be open to trade visitors. Consumers can purchase tickets for August 25-28. While the day ticket on Thursday and Friday is EUR 25 per person, it is EUR 30.50 each on Saturday and Sunday. Concessionary day tickets, for example for pupils and students as well as pensioners, are available for 18 euros and 23 euros respectively. Family day tickets for a maximum of five people are available for 40 euros and at weekends for 50 euros. Evening tickets are also available for 9 euros, allowing entry from 4 p.m. The halls are open until 8 p.m. There are also other options, such as the “Green Ticket”, with which consumers can participate in a climate protection project.
It is currently not known whether the tickets may be limited. It is at least questionable whether as many visitors will be there as before the pandemic. According to the organizer, around 370,000 visitors came to the fair in 2019.
What’s on the agenda?
Germany’s Economics Minister Robert Habeck (52) will officially open Gamescom on the afternoon of August 24th. But there are news about gaming before that. The well-known “Opening Night Live” will take place on August 23rd. The video game journalist Geoff Keighley will again lead through the event and, according to the Gamescom homepage, will also show “numerous world premieres”. As usual, the presentation will also be broadcast live.
In the following days, esports tournaments are also on the agenda. In addition, there will be a return of the subject areas. In addition to an indie and retro area, a lot will revolve around cosplay, for example. Workshops and a large cosplay competition are planned. Interested parties can also find out about career opportunities in the gaming industry on site.
Which exhibitors are there?
In May, the organizers announced that around 250 exhibitors had already confirmed their attendance at Gamescom 2022. As is now known, Ubisoft will be there, among others. They are currently working on a concept that will do justice to the general conditions, according to a recent press release. 505 Games will also be there. According to media reports, Bandai Namco Entertainment, Daedalic Entertainment, Koch Media, Sega and THQ Nordic, among others, have also confirmed.
Activision Blizzard, Sony Interactive or Nintendo, on the other hand, are probably not there. For other major manufacturers, it is currently still unclear whether they will have stands. For example, it is not certain whether Microsoft Xbox, Electronic Arts or Capcom will be represented.
