Gamescom is the world's largest video game trade fair, held annually at the Koelnmesse in Cologne, Germany, attracting hundreds of thousands of attendees—such as the 370,000 visitors in 2018. The event traces its roots to the Leipzig-based Games Convention (2002–2008), but moved to Cologne in 2009 after Leipzig proved unsuitable due to transport and hotel limitations, sparking a naming dispute that led to the adoption of "Gamescom." Today, the fair is a key platform for major industry announcements, headlined by the "Opening Night Live" show hosted by Geoff Keighley since 2019, alongside a closed professional area and the separate Devcom conference for developers. Following the COVID-19 pandemic and the collapse of E3, Gamescom has solidified its status as the premier global gaming event, and it expanded internationally with Gamescom Latam in Brazil in 2024. Notable past moments include the 2009 reveal of the PlayStation 3 Slim and Fable III, showcasing its role in launching major hardware and software to the public.