Getting to Gamescom 2026

Why share a ride to Gamescom?

For hundreds of thousands of gamers, Gamescom is more than a trade fair. It is the moment the whole community comes together in one place. And that community does not start at the entrance gates. It starts on the way there.

Sharing a ride is one of the easiest ways to meet other visitors travelling from your area. You already have something in common: a passion for games and a few days in Cologne ahead of you. The drive becomes part of the trip. Talk about the releases you are most excited about, compare your hall plans, swap recommendations and start the experience before you even reach Koelnmesse. Take a look at the reviews from other Slinger users.

There are practical benefits too. By splitting fuel and parking costs, everyone spends less on getting there and more on the event itself. Fewer cars on the road also means less congestion around the venue during the busy morning and evening peaks.

With Slinger you can easily connect with other Gamescom visitors heading the same way. Offer a seat, find a ride and turn the journey into part of the adventure.

Join more than 30,000 Slinger users across Europe who already travel together, meet new people and start the fun before the event begins.

Find your ride to Gamescom

1. Download Slinger from the App Store or Play Store
2. Search the Gamescom 2026 event and browse available rides or offer your own
3. Connect with fellow visitors, arrange the details and travel to Cologne together

Whether you want to save on travel costs, meet new people or make the journey part of the experience, Slinger helps you get to Gamescom together.

How to get to Gamescom and where to park

Gamescom 2026 takes place from 26 to 30 August at Koelnmesse, Messeplatz 1, 50679 Cologne-Deutz. Wednesday 26 August is reserved for trade visitors and media, while Thursday to Sunday are open to the public. The Opening Night Live show kicks things off on the evening of 25 August.

• By car: Koelnmesse sits right on Cologne’s motorway ring, with ten highways feeding into the city and direct access to the exhibition centre. Coming from the Netherlands or Belgium, follow the A4 or A3 towards Cologne and then the Koelnmesse signage.
• Parking: there are around 14,500 parking spaces around the exhibition centre, with free shuttle buses to the halls. During the event, parking areas are clearly signposted and visitors are guided to available spaces. Arrive early for the best chance of parking close to the venue.
• By train: Koelnmesse is right next to Köln Messe/Deutz station, with ICE and regional connections to Köln Hauptbahnhof and Cologne/Bonn Airport just one stop away.
• By public transport: U-Bahn lines 6 and 7 stop directly at Deutz/Messe, a short walk from the entrances.

Because Gamescom draws hundreds of thousands of visitors, traffic and parking get busy during peak hours. Leaving a little earlier and checking the latest information before you set off will help you avoid delays. For the most current details on parking, shuttles and access, check the official Gamescom website.