Gamescom to grow 20% in 2017

In just a few weeks time, hundreds of exhibitors will be arriving at Cologne’s Koelnmesse for this year’s Gamescom, making the world’s largest gaming event the biggest and best yet.

With over 900 expected exhibitors, Gamescom 2017 is estimated to grow by approximately 20 per cent year-on-year, making it another record-breaking year for the event’s organisers, BIU, the German Games Industry Association. Over 70 per cent of exhibitors will be international, too, along with four new countries (Africa, Brazil, Romania and the Czech Republic) all making their Gamescom debut.

In another first for Gamescom, the show will make use of Hall 1 this year, which has been exclusively booked by EA. This takes the show’s total gross area to an impressive 201,000 square metres.

"This year, too, Gamescom is continuing with its success story," Katharina C. Hamma. COO of Koelnmesse GmbH said. "In 2017, the emerging increase in number of exhibitors and the renewed growth in area show that we have once again taken the right path with the adjustments to the concept.

"It is the combination of an exhibition offering across platforms and proven formats in the supporting programme, as well as the integration of new and thematically suited events like Devcom or the SPOBIS Gaming & Media congress that make Gamescom so successful and its concept unique in the world."

Felix Falk, managing director of the BIU and sponsor of Gamescom added: "Gamescom 2017 continues its success story: that is made clear by continuing growth, but also by the first opening by Chancellor Angela Merkel and the many announced visits by federal and state politicians.

"Games are a fascinating entertainment medium and at the same time an economic factor, cultural assets and a promoter of innovation. This is also reflected by Gamescom, which, with its extensive supporting programme, is much more than a video games trade fair. At Gamescom, everyone can experience how digitalisation and networking are changing our society and economy."