The gamescom dev indie competition
Are you working on an indie game and looking for a way to get it in front of publishers, investors, and other developers?
The indie expo at gamescom dev conference offers selected teams the opportunity to showcase their projects as part of the official conference program.
Through the indie competition, 24 teams will receive a sponsored booth and access to one of the industry’s key networking environments.
What’s on offer
Selected teams get:
A fully equipped indie booth (including TV and seating)
Electricity for your setup
Visibility through gamescom dev channels
Access to the “Pitch It” session
Consideration for the indie award
1 Business Pass and 1 Content Pass
A reduced booth price of €299 (standard price €1,499)
Teams are expected to bring their own hardware (computers, controllers, etc.) and ensure that at least one team member is present at the booth during opening hours.
Who should apply
This opportunity is aimed at teams that:
Are a registered company (student teams can apply if there is a clear plan to establish a company, with supporting material such as a pitch deck)
Do not yet have a publisher attached
Have a playable build (at least at alpha stage; prototypes are not eligible)
Can provide gameplay footage
As always, diverse teams and perspectives are encouraged to apply.
Timeline
Submission deadline: April 30, 2026
Review period: May 1–10, 2026
Notifications: by May 13, 2026
Event dates: August 24–25, 2026
Selected teams will have one week to confirm participation by completing payment. If a spot is not confirmed in time, it will be offered to another applicant.
How to apply
You can find all the details and submit your project here: https://dev.gamescom.global/conference/indies/
