carpe event productions | Cologne | 26.08. - 30.08.2026

Exhibition stand construction for gamescom 2026 in Cologne

We will build your exhibition stand for gamescom 2026 in Cologne – professionally, discreetly, using the sustainable clickwand system and drawing on over 25 years’ experience in stand construction.

Exhibition dates 
26.08. - 30.08.2026

Set-up
16.08. - 25.08.2026

Dismantling
28.08. - 01.09.2026

Venue
Koelnmesse GmbH
Messeplatz 1
50679 Cologne

Our range of services

How we support you at gamescom 2026

From the initial site plan to the handover of the keys – everything from a single source, with a dedicated point of contact and predictable processes.

  • We develop exhibition stands for publishers, studios, platforms, hardware, accessories, creator, indie and brand partners that clearly stage games, technologies and community experiences.
  • We plan demo stations, hands-on areas, queue logic, content zones and meeting spaces so that the entertainment area and business area each deliver their specific impact.
  • We take the gamescom structure into account, including business area, entertainment area, merchandise area, indie area, campus, cosplay village, retro & family area, artist area and cards & boards area.
  • We combine brand presence, playability, reach logic and trade visitor communication so that your stand supports both media moments and meaningful business contacts.
  • We plan technical stand details such as lighting, sound, stage impact, screens, streaming areas and enclosed meeting rooms in line with visitor flow, noise levels and event requirements.
  • We handle concept, design, production, logistics and build coordination in Cologne, including alignment of deadlines, hall conditions and stand construction requirements.
Why exhibit?

Why exhibiting at gamescom 2026 is worthwhile

gamescom offers a distinctive platform for exhibitors from games, technology, entertainment and digital culture. What creates tangible value for you:

Global visibility in Cologne

gamescom is officially positioned as the world’s largest event for computer and video games and Europe’s largest business platform for the games industry.

B2B, B2C and B2G in one format

The event connects trade visitors, gamers, media, creators, exhibitors and public stakeholders on site and digitally, creating reach, exchange and business contacts within one event.

Business area for professional meetings

The business area is designed for trade visitors, press and media representatives as well as accredited creators, providing a focused setting for meetings, partnerships and presentations.

Reach beyond the trade fair week

For trade visitors, gamescom 2026 starts with gamescom dev from 24 August, while for everyone else it begins with Opening Night Live on 25 August; this creates attention before the main trade fair opens.

Stand types

Which stand type fits your presence at gamescom?

Area, target group, playability, queue space, media impact, meeting requirements and budget are decisive. For gamescom, we plan stand formats so that experience, safety, visibility and business value work together.

Row stand

A row stand is suitable for compact game presentations, indie formats, advisory offerings, accessories or clearly focused business appearances with an efficient use of space.

Corner stand

A corner stand offers two open sides and creates more traffic for demo stations, product launches, community contacts and quick orientation within the hall flow.

End stand

A peninsula stand enables three open sides and is suitable for brands with multiple play stations, content areas, creator moments and stronger long-distance visibility.

Block stand / Island

An island stand offers four open sides, premium impact and generous space for experience worlds, stage staging, large screens, hands-on zones and separate meeting areas.

Our process

From the initial consultation to the finished stand.
In 6 clear steps.

1
Consultation & Briefing

You describe your plans, objectives and budget – we listen, ask questions and suggest initial directions. By phone, video call or in person in Cologne.

2
Concept & 3D Visualisation

We develop a tailor-made stand concept including layout, materials and branding. You can view your stand in advance as a realistic 3D model from all angles.

3
Quotation & Fine-tuning

You receive a transparent fixed-price quotation. Requests for changes are incorporated directly – with no hidden costs or surprises later on.

4
Production in our own workshop

Stand construction, printing and all fittings are manufactured in Cologne. Short lead times, full quality control and maximum reliability – even with last-minute adjustments.

5
Setting up at the trade fair

Our team handles delivery, stand assembly and all technical coordination with the trade fair. You arrive at the finished stand – ready to go for the trade fair opening.

6
Dismantling & Reuse

After the trade fair ends, we take care of complete dismantling, return transport and storage. Reusable click-wall elements are kept in stock for future events.

Why choose carpe event productions

A partner with home-ground advantage in Cologne

We have been building exhibition stands since 1999 and are based in Cologne – saving you time, money and stress.

Over 25 years’ experience

We have been creating exhibition stands and events since 1999 – at gamescom, ANUGA, ORGATEC, MEDICA and many more.

Cologne location

Our office and workshop are based in Cologne – ideal for last-minute adjustments and rapid on-site service.

In-house workshop

Stand construction and printing are carried out in-house. No subcontractors, no hidden interfaces – full quality control.

clickwand system

Our patented, modular wall system – in use since 2007. More sustainable, faster and more flexible than traditional timber construction.

Dedicated contact person

You have a project manager who supports your project from start to finish. No handover, no misunderstandings.

Full service

Concept, design, production, logistics, assembly, dismantling, storage – everything from a single source and with transparent pricing.

A selection of our client references

Successful projects by Carpe

Complete exhibition stand

Design and construction of the Computacenter stand at Düsseldorf 2025, featuring 70 exhibitors.

Corner stand with raised platform

Stand concept for Nautilus featuring a raised platform and graphics in the corporate design.

Corner stand with booth

Stand construction for BIAG featuring a dedicated booth and full-surface graphics.

The trade fair

About gamescom 2026

gamescom 2026 takes place from 26 to 30 August 2026 at the Koelnmesse exhibition grounds in Cologne. It is officially regarded as the world’s largest event for computer and video games and Europe’s largest business platform for the games industry. 

The focus is on games, platforms, hardware, software, entertainment, digital culture, community, business development, media, creators, developers and international industry contacts. Complementary formats such as gamescom dev and Opening Night Live amplify attention around the trade fair week.

For exhibitors, this means the stand must combine experience and efficiency. In the entertainment area, playability, visitor flow, queue management and brand impact matter; in the business area, calm meeting rooms, clear product communication and professional exchange are decisive.

Facts & Figures

Format:International trade and public event platform for computer and video games, digital entertainment and games culture; B2C, B2B and B2G event with on-site and digital reach

Special features: World’s largest event for computer and video games, Europe’s largest business platform for the games industry, with business area, entertainment area, gamescom dev and Opening Night Live

Organiser: Koelnmesse GmbH

Edition: 2026 edition; annual; established at Koelnmesse in Cologne since the gamescom premiere in 2009

Target audience: Trade visitors, exhibitors, media, accredited creators, private visitors, gamers, developers, publishers, platforms, hardware and accessories providers, indie studios, education and career providers as well as partners from digital culture and entertainment

Sustainability

Exhibition stand construction that lives on after the event

Our clickwand system was developed in 2007 as a sustainable alternative to the throwaway culture in exhibition stand construction. The modular elements can be reused as often as required; they are stored after each use and can be flexibly re-deployed. With a lifespan of over 10 years, they combine sustainability, efficiency and long-term cost-effectiveness.

  • 80% less waste than with traditional timber stand construction
  • Re-use of walls, counters, lighting elements and decorations
  • Storage of your stand elements with us – ready to go for the next trade fair
  • The Cologne location enables particularly efficient coordination, follow-up deliveries and service visits; modular, reusable stand elements reduce material use and logistics effort.
Plan now

Ready for your presence
at gamescom 2026?

Your contacts:

Jonas Müller
Key account manager
Fabian Schwaiger
Project manager
Moritz Biermann
Operations Project Manager

Do you prefer writing?

Frequently asked questions

What exhibitors often want to know about gamescom 2026

gamescom 2026 takes place from 26.08. to 30.08.2026 in Cologne. Opening Night Live is announced for 25.08.2026; gamescom dev takes place ahead of the main trade fair week.

The event takes place at Koelnmesse GmbH, Messeplatz 1, 50679 Cologne, Germany.

Set-up times are listed from 21.08.2026 to 25.08.2026 for the business area and from 16.08.2026 to 25.08.2026 for the entertainment area. Dismantling starts on 28.08.2026 or 30.08.2026 depending on the area and must be completed in the entertainment area by midnight on 01.09.2026.

Relevant groups include trade visitors, media, creators, private visitors, gamers, developers, publishers, platform operators, hardware and accessories providers, indie studios, retail and business partners as well as stakeholders from digital culture, education, careers and entertainment.

The official conditions differentiate stand space by area, stand type and size tiers; in the entertainment area, for example, tiers up to 150 m², up to 500 m², up to 1,000 m² and from 1,001 m² are listed. For non-endemic brands, booking at least 100 m² in the entertainment area is a prerequisite.

In the business area, participation fees range from €114.00/m² to €203.00/m²; in the entertainment area, fees vary by stand type and size, for example row stands up to 150 m² from €173.00/m² to €203.00/m². Additional items include energy charge, AUMA fee, marketing services, stand construction and further services.

The key feature is the combination of a high-traffic entertainment area, professional business area, global media attention, creator reach and supporting formats such as gamescom dev and Opening Night Live. A strong stand must therefore manage experience, demo logic, visitor flow, meeting quality and technical execution at the same time.