Last weekend, the GG Bavaria 2026 attracted more people than ever before: almost 10,000 visitors streamed into the Small Olympic Hall in Munich and once again made the event the celebration of the Bavarian games community. Countless studios, hundreds of young talents, 15 universities, various commercial companies and almost ten thousand fans came together to try out new games, network and gain insights into the country’s most dynamic creative industry.
Digital Minister Dr. Fabian Mehring: “The record setting at GG Bavaria impressively shows the upswing that digital future technologies are currently experiencing here in Bavaria. Games are now a form of culture, a driver of innovation and a future market at the same time. Our aim is to further consolidate Bavaria’s lead as the leading games location in Germany. To do this, we are consistently building a strong ecosystem for developers – from the promotion of specific projects and academic training to visible platforms like GG Bavaria or industry hotspots like ours in Munich GAMEREI. In Bavaria we know: In order to get out of the current economic crisis, we need fresh ideas in new markets. We don’t just want to look at exploding boom sectors like the games economy passively from the sidelines and watch with amazed eyes as players from Asia, Canada or the USA distribute the wealth of the future among themselves. Instead, we are already conquering our own top spot in the markets of tomorrow If we can present it to an international audience, it shows impressively: Bavaria is Germany’s home for games, e-sports and XR. We want to further expand this pole position in the next few years and become the international leader in this booming growth market.”
Around 120 exhibitors – including over 30 development studios, numerous artists, but also 15 universities and global corporations such as Infineon – presented their current projects. The program was supplemented by stage formats, cosplay highlights and an extensive offering for anyone looking to get into the games industry: universities, panels and workshops offered orientation for young talent.
One of the highlights of the event was the presentation of the GG Awards. Digital Minister Mehring presented the audience award “Cosmic Choice Award” to the studio “Memory Forge” from Gersthofen near Augsburg for its game “Incredibug”, which was voted their favorite by visitors to the trade fair.
The GG Bavaria is implemented with the support of the Bavarian State Ministry for Digital and in cooperation with the Bavarian State Ministry for Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy. As the Free State’s central gaming convention, it brings studios, talent and the community together – and makes the creative and economic importance of the games industry in Bavaria visible.
Press release on the publisher’s website
