Games Ground Berlin 2026 returns to Alte Münze with esports, indie games, cosplay, XR, and a new strategy gaming hub
Games Ground Berlin 2026 is set to bring one of Germany’s most exciting gaming events back to the historic Alte Münze from November 5 to 8, 2026. Taking place at Molkenmarkt 2 in the heart of Berlin, the four-day event will once again blend a professional games industry trade fair with a lively public festival for players, creators, developers, and gaming communities.
Following a previous edition that welcomed more than 6,500 visitors, Games Ground Berlin is returning with an expanded program designed to appeal to both industry professionals and everyday fans. The event will begin with two business-focused days on Thursday, November 5, and Friday, November 6, before opening its doors to the public on Saturday, November 7, and Sunday, November 8.
The business days will offer a packed schedule for developers, publishers, students, and gaming professionals looking to connect, learn, and grow within the industry. Returning program highlights include Mentor Ground, Career Ground, Publisher Connect, and Indie Ground. Publisher Connect will once again support matchmaking between studios and publishers, with companies such as SEGA and Raw Fury among the names involved.
Attendees can expect a strong lineup of talks, panels, and expert sessions covering some of the most relevant topics in game development today. Planned sessions include practical guidance on multiplatform development and porting with Unity, a talk on funding games through Kickstarter, a publishing-focused panel, and discussions about generative AI tools, creative workflows, and legal disclosure requirements.
The speaker lineup will include well-known voices from across the games industry, such as composer Austin Wintory and developer Rami Ismail, along with representatives from major studios including Ubisoft, CD Projekt Red, and Unknown Worlds. Networking mixers in the evening will give guests additional opportunities to build contacts in a more relaxed setting.
For public visitors, the weekend will bring a major new attraction: Dominion days, a dedicated strategy gaming hall created in partnership with publisher Slitherine. Described as Europe’s first strategy-only showcase of its kind, Dominion days will give fans the chance to try playable games, attend developer talks, and watch competitive tournaments.
Two tournaments are already confirmed, featuring Broken Arrow and Warhammer Blood Bowl. Saturday’s program will also include a panel focused on an unannounced strategy title, giving fans another reason to keep an eye on the schedule. Entry to Dominion days is included with a standard Games Ground ticket, so visitors will not need a separate pass to access the strategy hall.
Beyond the strategy-focused area, Games Ground Berlin 2026 will offer plenty for every type of gaming fan. The public festival will include an indie games exhibition, XR experiences, a LAN area, and dedicated spaces for trading card games and board games. Whether visitors want to discover upcoming indie titles, explore immersive technology, compete with friends, or enjoy tabletop experiences, the event is shaping up to be a broad celebration of gaming culture.
Cosplay will also play a major role in the weekend program. The Cosplay Contest will return with two categories: Origins and the newly introduced Extravaganza. An open catwalk is scheduled for Sunday, giving cosplayers of all levels a chance to show off their creations in front of the crowd.
Crafting Com will host drop-in workshops in the Lichthof, giving visitors hands-on opportunities to learn skills such as 3D printing, make-up, sewing, wig styling, and foam crafting. These sessions are expected to be especially popular among cosplay fans and anyone interested in the creative side of character design.
Fans of tabletop role-playing games can also look forward to QUEST, a pen-and-paper live show bringing Dungeons & Dragons to The Forge on Sunday at noon. The performance will be followed by a cast Q&A, offering fans the chance to hear more about the story, characters, and production behind the show.
Across the public days, visitors can also expect live music, stage performances, community activities, and plenty of opportunities to meet fellow gaming fans. With its mix of esports, indie games, cosplay, XR, strategy titles, developer sessions, and live entertainment, Games Ground Berlin 2026 is positioning itself as a must-visit event on the European gaming calendar.
Tickets for Games Ground Berlin 2026 are available through the event’s official ticketing platform.
