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Every August, Cologne in Germany turns into the epicentre of gaming. Gamescom, the world’s biggest video game convention, is back for 2025 and it’s shaping up to be massive. With hundreds of thousands of people walking through the doors, and millions more tuning in online, this is the event where the gaming industry comes together, developers, publishers, esports teams, and of course, the fans.

If you’re new to Gamescom, think of it as a mix between E3 and a music festival. It’s not just for press or industry insiders, it’s for everyone. The show floor is stacked with demos of upcoming games, panels, community spaces, and huge stages dedicated to announcements. And this year, esports has an even bigger spotlight than ever before.

What’s Happening At Gamescom 2025

The big headliner is Opening Night Live (ONL), hosted once again by Geoff Keighley on August 19. This two-hour showcase is where most of the big reveals happen. Expect to see new trailers and gameplay from Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, Resident Evil: Requiem, Silent Hill f, Ninja Gaiden 4, and The Outer Worlds 2. There’s also word on World of Warcraft: Midnight and even a peek at Prime Video’s Fallout Season 2.

And yes, the question everyone always asks: will Hideo Kojima make an appearance? Honestly, it’d be surprising if he didn’t.

But Gamescom isn’t just about one night. Across the week you’ve got the Future Games Show, the Awesome Indies Showcase, and plenty of publisher-led events. Whether you’re into triple-A blockbusters or smaller creative projects, there’s a slot on the schedule for you.

On the esports front, 2025 introduces the brand-new Pro Arena. Run by Freaks 4U Gaming and partnered with SK Gaming, this space is all about competitive play. It’ll host the Equal Esports Cup for League of Legends and the Magenta eTrophy for Fortnite. Plus, brands like Alienware are rolling out interactive activations for fans who want to get hands-on with the latest gear.

How To Watch Gamescom 2025

You don’t need to fly to Germany to be part of the action. Almost everything is streamed live across YouTube and Twitch. Here are the key times for Opening Night Live on August 19:

  • Los Angeles, USA – 11:00 a.m. PDT
  • New York, USA – 2:00 p.m. EDT
  • London, UK – 7:00 p.m. BST
  • Berlin, Germany – 8:00 p.m. CEST
  • Sydney, Australia – 3:00 a.m. AEST (Aug 20)
  • Wellington, NZ – 5:00 a.m. NZST (Aug 20)

There’s also a 30-minute pre-show hosted by Kyle Bosman, starting before the main broadcast, so if you’re the type who doesn’t want to miss a single announcement, make sure you tune in early.

Streams will be available on:

Why It Matters

Gamescom isn’t just hype trailers and flashy lights, it’s where the industry sets the tone for the rest of the year and beyond. Whether it’s confirming what you’ll be playing this holiday season, teasing projects for 2026, or shining a spotlight on indie developers who might just have the next big hit, this is the moment where the future of gaming takes shape.

So, set your alarms, stock up on snacks, and clear some screen time. Gamescom 2025 is about to kick off, and it looks like one of the biggest editions yet.