The President of Germany is scheduled to inaugurate the Gamescom Congress and participate in Gamescom 2026

This year's Gamescom will see Germany's Federal President, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, make a landmark appearance, marking the first time a German president has attended the event.

Steinmeier will inaugurate the Gamescom Congress by delivering the keynote address and will engage in a dialogue regarding the influence of video games on German democratic processes. Following his participation, he plans to explore the main expo area, connecting with developers and gaming enthusiasts to appreciate the multifaceted contributions of games to society. The visit is organized in collaboration with the German games industry association, game.de.

The Gamescom Congress will examine the themes of "Playing Field Democracy" and "The Games Effect," emphasizing the constructive role of video games in educational democratization and their status as catalysts for innovation within sectors such as health, industry, trades, services, and public administration. Scheduled for August 27, the congress is part of the broader Gamescom event, which occurs from August 26 to 30.

Preceding Gamescom, the Gamescom Dev conference, formerly known as devcom, will take place from August 23 to 25. Initial speakers for this year's conference were unveiled in April.