The global gaming industry has grown into a multi-billion-dollar international business, covering video games, mobile gaming, esports, gaming hardware, software, virtual reality and digital entertainment. As the industry continues to evolve, gaming trade fairs and conferences provide valuable opportunities for developers, publishers, technology companies, investors and other professionals to meet, network and discover new trends.
From Europe's massive gamescom to major Asian events such as ChinaJoy and the Tokyo Game Show, gaming professionals have plenty of opportunities to connect with the international industry.
In this guide, we look at some of the most important gaming trade fairs and industry events worldwide and explain why they are worth attending.
1. gamescom – Cologne, Germany
Location: Cologne, Germany
Venue: Koelnmesse
2027 dates: August 23–29, 2027
gamescom is one of the world's largest and most important gaming events. Held annually in Cologne, Germany, it brings together game developers, publishers, hardware manufacturers, technology companies, media, gaming professionals and consumers from around the world.
One of the event's biggest strengths is its combination of business and entertainment. The professional programme gives companies opportunities to meet potential partners, publishers and clients, while the public exhibition allows exhibitors to showcase their latest games, hardware and technologies to a huge international audience.
The 2027 edition takes place from August 23–29 at Koelnmesse. The organisers have reported that all available exhibition areas for gamescom 2027 were booked, demonstrating the continued importance and international appeal of the event.
Why attend gamescom?
- Meet international game developers and publishers
- Discover new gaming technologies and products
- Build international business partnerships
- Research competitors and emerging market trends
- Meet media, influencers and content creators
- Showcase games, hardware and software to an international audience
For companies travelling to gamescom, accommodation should be arranged well in advance. Hotel demand in Cologne increases significantly during the event, particularly for hotels close to the exhibition centre.
2. ChinaJoy – Shanghai, China
Location: Shanghai, China
Venue: Shanghai New International Expo Centre
2027 dates: July 30–August 2, 2027
ChinaJoy, officially known as the China Digital Entertainment Expo and Conference, is one of Asia's leading events for video games and digital entertainment.
The event brings together game developers, publishers, technology companies, hardware manufacturers, investors and gaming communities. In addition to video games, ChinaJoy covers mobile gaming, esports, digital entertainment, animation and emerging technologies.
ChinaJoy is particularly interesting for international companies looking to understand the Chinese gaming market or develop business relationships in Asia. Its extensive business programme provides opportunities for companies to meet potential partners, distributors and clients.
The 2026 edition took place from July 31–August 3 in Shanghai, featuring both public exhibition areas and business-to-business activities.
Why attend ChinaJoy?
- Explore the Chinese and Asian gaming markets
- Meet Asian developers and publishers
- Discover mobile and online gaming trends
- Explore gaming hardware and technology
- Develop international partnerships
- Learn about emerging technologies such as AI
For international businesses, ChinaJoy can be an excellent opportunity to combine an important industry event with meetings with potential clients and partners in Shanghai.
3. Tokyo Game Show – Chiba, Japan
Location: Chiba, Japan
Venue: Makuhari Messe
2026 dates: September 17–21, 2026
Japan has played a major role in the development of the global video game industry, and the Tokyo Game Show (TGS) remains one of the most important gaming events in Asia.
Held at Makuhari Messe in Chiba, near Tokyo, Tokyo Game Show attracts Japanese and international game developers, publishers, hardware manufacturers, technology companies and gaming communities.
The event combines professional business activities with a large public exhibition. This makes it valuable for companies looking to develop partnerships while also presenting their products and games to consumers.
The 2026 Tokyo Game Show takes place from September 17–21. The 2026 edition will be the first five-day edition in the event's history, with dedicated business days followed by public days.
Why attend Tokyo Game Show?
- Explore the Japanese gaming market
- Meet Japanese developers and publishers
- Discover Asian gaming trends
- Showcase games, hardware and software
- Build international business relationships
- Connect with consumers and gaming communities
For international gaming companies, Tokyo Game Show can provide valuable insight into the Japanese market and the wider Asian gaming industry.
4. Game Developers Conference (GDC) – San Francisco, USA
Location: San Francisco, USA
Venue: Moscone Center
2027 dates: March 1–5, 2027
The Game Developers Conference (GDC) is one of the world's most important professional events for the video game development industry.
Unlike consumer-focused gaming exhibitions, GDC is primarily aimed at developers, publishers, designers, programmers, artists, producers, technology companies, and other professionals working in the games industry.
The conference covers a wide range of subjects, including game design, programming, visual arts, production, business development, artificial intelligence, virtual reality and emerging gaming technologies.
The 2026 edition took place from March 9–13 at Moscone Center in San Francisco. GDC continues to be an important meeting point for professionals looking to exchange knowledge, discover new technologies and build relationships within the international gaming industry.
Why attend GDC?
- Learn about the latest game-development technologies
- Meet developers, publishers and technology providers
- Discover trends in AI, graphics and game engines
- Build professional partnerships
- Attend expert talks and educational sessions
- Explore opportunities in the North American gaming market
For companies travelling to GDC, booking accommodation near Moscone Center can make a business trip much easier, especially when several employees are attending.
5. G-Star – Busan, South Korea
Location: Busan, South Korea
Venue: BEXCO
2026 dates: November 18–22, 2026
G-Star is South Korea's leading gaming exhibition and one of Asia's most important gaming events.
Held annually in Busan, G-Star brings together game developers, publishers, technology providers, investors and gaming enthusiasts. The event combines a large consumer exhibition with a dedicated business-to-business programme.
South Korea is particularly well known for its online gaming, mobile gaming and esports industries, making G-Star an interesting event for companies looking to enter or expand within the Asian market.
The 2026 edition is scheduled for November 18–22 in Busan. The programme includes both B2B and public exhibition areas, as well as G-CON, the event's professional gaming conference.
Why attend G-Star?
- Explore the South Korean gaming market
- Meet Korean developers and publishers
- Discover mobile and online gaming trends
- Learn about esports and gaming technology
- Find international distribution and business opportunities
- Develop partnerships in the Asian gaming market
6. Paris Games Week – Paris, France
Location: Paris, France
Venue: Paris Expo Porte de Versailles
2026 dates: October 22–25, 2026
Paris Games Week (PGW) is one of France's leading video game events and an important meeting point for gaming companies, publishers, developers, esports organisations and gaming communities.
The event combines video game exhibitions with esports competitions, gaming experiences, new releases, cosplay and wider pop-culture activities. This makes it particularly useful for companies looking to reach French consumers and the wider European gaming market.
The 2026 edition takes place from October 22–25 at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles.
Why attend Paris Games Week?
- Present games and new products
- Connect with the French gaming market
- Meet publishers and industry professionals
- Explore esports and gaming trends
- Build brand awareness among consumers
7. ZURICH POP CON & Game Show – Zurich, Switzerland
Location: Zurich, Switzerland
Venue: Messe Zürich
2026 dates: September 26–27, 2026
The ZURICH POP CON & Game Show is one of Switzerland's major events dedicated to gaming and pop culture.
Originally known as the Zurich Game Show, the event has developed into a broader entertainment event covering video games, esports, anime, comics, cosplay and digital entertainment.
The 2026 edition takes place on September 26–27 at Messe Zürich, providing companies with an opportunity to connect with the Swiss gaming and entertainment audience.
Why attend ZURICH POP CON & Game Show?
- Explore the Swiss gaming market
- Connect with gaming and esports audiences
- Showcase games and gaming technology
- Engage with consumers and gaming communities
- Explore opportunities in the Swiss and European markets
Other Major Gaming Events Worldwide
The events above represent some of the most important gaming trade fairs and industry events in Europe, Asia and North America. However, they are not the only events worth considering.
Depending on your target market and business objectives, events such as gamescom latam and Brazil Games Show can also provide valuable opportunities to connect with gaming companies and consumers in Latin America.
For businesses focused specifically on game development, professional conferences such as Nordic Game can also be worth considering.
Which Gaming Trade Fair Should You Attend?
The best gaming event for your company depends on your business objectives, target market, and type of product or service.
| Business objective | Event to consider |
|---|---|
| Meet the international gaming industry | gamescom |
| Expand into European gaming markets | gamescom / Paris Games Week |
| Explore the Chinese market | ChinaJoy |
| Explore Japan and Asian gaming | Tokyo Game Show |
| Game development and technology | GDC |
| Explore the South Korean market | G-Star |
| Reach the Swiss gaming market | ZURICH POP CON & Game Show |
Why Attend Gaming Trade Fairs?
Gaming trade fairs and industry conferences offer much more than the opportunity to see new games. For businesses, they can be valuable platforms for networking, market research, lead generation and international expansion.
Build new partnerships
Major gaming events bring together developers, publishers, distributors, technology providers and investors in one location. Face-to-face meetings can be an effective way to establish new business relationships.
Discover new technologies
The gaming industry is developing rapidly. Artificial intelligence, cloud gaming, virtual reality, advanced graphics and new hardware are changing the way games are created and experienced.
Research competitors and trends
Trade fairs provide an opportunity to see what competitors are launching, identify emerging technologies, and understand where the gaming industry is heading.
Enter new markets
International events can also provide an efficient way to learn about regional markets. ChinaJoy, Tokyo Game Show and G-Star, for example, can help European and North American companies build relationships in Asia.
Generate new leads
With thousands of industry professionals attending major gaming events, exhibitions and conferences can provide significant opportunities for business development and lead generation.
Book Your Hotel for Your Next Gaming Trade Fair
Attending a major gaming event requires careful planning. Flights, exhibition passes, meetings, and accommodation all need to be organised, and hotel availability can become limited when thousands of visitors arrive in the same city.
This is particularly important for companies sending larger teams to events such as gamescom, GDC, ChinaJoy or the Tokyo Game Show. Finding several suitable hotel rooms in the right location can take considerable time.
Fair Point specialises in arranging hotel accommodation for trade fairs and business events worldwide. Our team can help you find suitable hotels based on your event, travel dates, location, and number of travellers.
Instead of spending hours searching for individual hotel rooms, let our experienced team help you organise accommodation for your next gaming industry event.
Planning to attend a gaming trade fair?
Request a free hotel quote and let Fair Point help you arrange your business accommodation.