Overview
- Gamescom and GDQ announced a three-day Gamescom GDQ in Cologne for August 28–30, 2026, with live speedruns on site and global streams on GDQ’s Twitch and YouTube channels.
- Daily programming will run from 10:00 to 20:00 CEST across all three days, according to Gamescom’s release.
- The marathon will raise funds for Gaming for Democracy, an initiative with Bertelsmann Stiftung and Stiftung Digitale Spielekultur that promotes civic participation through games.
- Runner submissions open May 4 on gamesdonequick.com, giving more European speedrunners a chance to participate without traveling to the United States.
- GDQ has raised over $60 million for charities since 2010, and Gamescom leaders say the Cologne showcase aligns with the expo’s focus on community and social engagement.