Gamescom 2026 · Partner & Delegation Booths
Free & Discounted
Booths
Thanks to our incredible partners and regional delegations, a limited number of showcasing spots at Indie Arena Booth are available at no cost or at a greatly reduced rate.
Same benefits as paid booths
Every Partner Booth Includes Everything
Whether free or discounted, all partner booths come with the same all-inclusive package that our paid exhibitors receive.
- Full booth decoration
- Exhibitor ticket(s)
- gamescom Steam Event
- Monitor & peripherals
- MeetToMatch access
- PR & media support
- On-site team support
- B2B networking area
Partner Booths
Free Booths
Nintendo Switch™
FreeWe are thrilled to announce our continued and valued partnership with Nintendo Switch™. As part of this collaboration, Nintendo Switch is offering eight curated showcasing spots at Indie Arena Booth! The game will be showcased on one of their Nintendo Switch or Nintendo Switch™ 2 Kiosks including all necessary hardware - devs are expected to provide a showcasing demo in July. Here's a photo from last year's Nintendo Switch™ area.
Application Requirements
- Developers working on Nintendo Switch™ or Nintendo Switch 2 titles can apply for one of these exclusive spots through the Indie Arena Booth backend. We created a separate booth type for this, so you do not have to mention anything particular in the application title. If you are also interested in other booth types or are worried you may not be chosen for the Nintendo Switch Booth, please feel free to check several booth types you’re eager to get (e.g. Small Booth + Nintendo Switch Booth).
Nintendo Switch™ is a trademark of Nintendo.
Democracy at play
FreeThe Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung (bpb) / Federal Agency for Civic Education is hosting a booth at Indie Arena Booth and invites developers worldwide to submit their games that explore the theme of Democracy. Please check out their website to find out more about the fantastic and important work they do!
Application Requirements
- Use the keyword “Democracy” in your application title (Game Name + Democracy).
- Include a paragraph in the “Game Description” field explaining how your game relates to democracy (Add a “Democracy” headline + your explanation).
- We welcome games that deal with the theme of democracy and its many dimensions (including, but not limited to, democracy as a political system, democracy and/as participation, democracy and/as culture, challenges and threats to democracy, history and future of democracy).
- The Indie Arena Booth jury will make a pre-selection from all the games submitted, paying particular attention to if and how the topic of democracy is addressed in mechanics, narratives and/or style, so that unique, innovative and thought-provoking approaches to the topic of democracy are created for players. The final selection is made by the bpb.
[Democracy]
Regional Delegations
Country Booths
Some booth types are region-specific, check the options below to see if you are eligible. We have partnered with delegations from Catalonia (Spain), Flanders & Brussels (Belgium), and the following German state delegations: Hessen Agentur, Film- und Medienstiftung NRW, MFG Baden-Wuerttemberg, nordmedia (Lower Saxony & Bremen), and Gamecity Hamburg.
Catalan Institute for Cultural Companies
FreeWe have been collaborating with ICEC for several years and are in awe at the number of outstanding indie games brought to IAB through their presence. If you would like to learn more about their fantastic mission, please check them out here.
Application Requirements
Eligible developers must be from Catalonia, Spain or have their studio located there. In order to be considered, please sure to add the key word [ICEC] to your application name, so a valid application name would be ["Game Name" + ICEC], for example!
[ICEC]
Flanders Audiovisual Fund
FreeThe Flanders Audiovisual Fund (VAF) supports independent developers in Flanders. A cornerstone of the local game sector, it helps out Flemish game studios with funding (development as well as marketing) and bolsters them with unique coaching and international promotion opportunities. They had such a good time last year that there was no question about returning to Indie Arena Booth for the second year straight.
Application Requirements
Developers with their studio based in Flanders and Brussels can apply for one of the free booth spaces at the VAF Booth. Please include the key word [VAF] in your application to be considered. VAF are encouraging new teams to apply, so IAB participants from last year (2025) are not eligible.
[VAF]
Geschäftsstelle Kultur- und Kreativwirtschaft Hessen (Hessen Agentur)
337€ per teamThe "Geschäftsstelle Kultur- und Kreativwirtschaft Hessen" at Hessen Agentur, operating on behalf of the Hessian Ministry of Economics, serves as the central point of contact for the cultural and creative industries in Hesse. It provides advice, facilitates networking, promotes the sector and increases its visibility, for example through participation in trade fairs such as gamescom.
Application Requirements
In order to be considered for one of the free booth spaces provided by Geschäftsstelle Kultur- und Kreativwirtschaft Hessen (Hessen Agentur), please make sure to include the key word [Hessen] in your application name. In addition, your studio must be based in Hesse, Germany.
[Hessen]
Film- und Medienstiftung NRW
337€ per teamThe Film- und Medienstiftung NRW is one of the most important funding institutions in Germany and Europe with a funding volume of 35 million euros. The Foundation supports feature and television films, series, games, the modernisation of cinemas, the development of radio plays and audiovisual content, and supports up-and-coming film and media talents in NRW. As one of our cherished long-term partners, we’re excited to have them back at IAB! To find out more about them, please go and check out their website here.
Application Requirements
In order to be considered for one of the free booth spaces provided by Film und Medien Stiftung NRW, please make sure to include the key word [NRW] in your application name. In addition, your studio must be based in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.
[NRW]
Medien- und Filmgesellschaft Baden-Wuerttemberg
600€ per teamMFG Baden-Wuerttemberg is an institution of the state of Baden-Wuerttemberg and Suedwestrundfunk public broadcaster. MFG is short for Medien and Filmgesellschaft, which translates as Media and Film Society. The aim of MFG is to promote film culture and film industry as well as the cultural and creative industries in the Southwest of Germany. This year, they’re bringing their vision to Indie Arena Booth, offering discounted booth spaces for talented devs! Learn more about them here.
Application Requirements
In order to be considered for one of the discounted booth spaces provided by MFG Baden-Wuerttemberg, please make sure to include the key word [MFG] in your application name. In addition, your studio must be based in Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany.
[MFG]
nordmedia
500€ per teamnordmedia is the central media funding agency for Lower Saxony and Bremen. We fund the development and production of games and other interactive media – from initial concepts and prototypes to full production. In addition, we connect the regional creative- and developer community at national and international industry- and educational events. We help you to bring your projects into the spotlight. At our Country Booth, we showcase the most fantastic projects from our region!
Application Requirements
To be considered for one of nordmedia’s discounted booth spaces, please include the keyword [nordmedia] in your application name. Your studio must be based in Lower Saxony or Bremen.
[nordmedia]
Gamecity Hamburg
FreeGamecity Hamburg’s aim is to improve the general conditions for companies and founders of the games value chain in the city, to support them in their further development and to anchor Hamburg in the public perception as one of the leading games hubs in Europe. Our partnership with them goes back many years and we’re eager to see what’s in store for the 2026 Hamburg lineup!
Application Requirements
In order to be considered for one of the free booth spaces provided by Gamecity Hamburg, please make sure to include the key word [Gamecity] in your application name. In addition, your studio must be based in Hamburg, Germany.
[Gamecity]
