Quick summary:
The global gaming market reaches US$ 213.9 billion in 2026, with growth across all platforms and regions. In this landscape, competition for attention and revenue is intensifying, and the ability to build qualified business relationships becomes a differentiator. gamescom, with editions in Cologne, Bangkok, and São Paulo, operates as a global business network where a contact made in one city can turn into an opportunity in another. For companies seeking international scale with local intelligence, participating in this ecosystem is strategy, not luxury.
A market in acceleration
According to the latest Newzoo data (August 2026), the global gaming market is expected to reach US$ 213.9 billion in 2026, a 6.1% increase over the previous year. All platforms are advancing: mobile leads with US$ 121.1 billion (+6.8%), followed by console at US$ 46.9 billion (+5.1%) and PC at US$ 45.9 billion (+5.3%).
In Latin America, growth is even more pronounced. The region is projected to reach US$ 9.3 billion in 2026 (+7.9% over 2025), with 394 million players (+4.7%). This is the fastest pace among major Western regions, outpacing North America (+5.4%) and Europe (+6.1%).
This landscape shows a market that is not just growing, but accelerating. The launch of Grand Theft Auto VI, expected in November 2026, is set to drive full-game sales by 17.5%, the highest growth among all business models. For companies positioned in the sector, the question is not whether the market is growing, but where and with whom to capture that growth.
The table below shows the updated global overview by platform and the Latin American highlight.
| Indicator | Global (2026) | Latin America (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Total revenue | US$ 213.9 billion | US$ 9.3 billion |
| YoY growth | +6.1% | +7.9% |
| Mobile | US$ 121.1 bn (+6.8%) | Leading platform by players |
| Console | US$ 46.9 bn (+5.1%) | Expanding in the region |
| PC | US$ 45.9 bn (+5.3%) | Growth above global average |
| Players | 3.7 billion | 394 million |
Sources: Newzoo 2026 Global Games Market Key Numbers (August 2026) and Newzoo Global Games Market Report 2025
The competition for attention demands networks, not just products
According to the Newzoo Global Games Market Report 2025, the number of payers in the global market is growing at 4.9% per year, reaching 1.6 billion. At the same time, average spend per payer is declining slightly (US$ 119.7 in 2025), indicating that more people are paying for games, but each one spends proportionally less.
This dynamic intensifies the competition for attention and wallet share. Having a good product is no longer enough: companies need networks, access to relevant distribution channels, and partnerships that accelerate entry into new markets. This is exactly what an international event with the structure of gamescom offers.
The gamescom ecosystem as a business platform
gamescom is the world’s largest gaming event, with editions in Cologne (Germany), Bangkok (Thailand), and São Paulo (Brazil). This structure is not just geographical: it functions as an integrated business network, where brand credibility, content curation, and international contact networks connect across all three editions.
In practice, this means that a contact made at gamescom latam in São Paulo can turn into a deal in Cologne or Bangkok, and vice versa. For companies operating in more than one market or looking to expand internationally, participating in one edition opens doors to the others. Isolated local events do not offer this continuity.
The B2B side of gamescom latam connects publishers, developers, brands, and distributors in a single environment, with a dedicated matchmaking platform and access to exclusive regional data such as PGB and PGB Latam.
The Roblox case: why local partners make a difference
The Roblox case illustrates the importance of local partnerships for operating on global platforms. According to the Newzoo Global Games Market Report 2025, Roblox reached nearly 112 million daily active users in the second quarter of 2025, with engagement on the rise.
The report cites a recommendation from Gamefam, a Roblox-native studio, endorsed by Newzoo: traditional studios that attempt to develop on Roblox on their own have a low probability of reaching a top 10 or top 20 within the first 3 to 5 years. The guidance is to invest in or partner with platform-native teams to accelerate results.
This logic applies to the Latin American market more broadly. Entering the region with local partners who understand the consumer, the channels, and the distribution dynamics reduces risk and shortens the learning curve. gamescom latam is where those partners come together.
Transmedia: when the game is just the start of the business
The gaming industry’s business model is increasingly multi-platform, and the Poppy Playtime case is emblematic. According to data cited in the Newzoo 2025 report, the franchise has an estimated 2 million+ players, but has accumulated over 100 billion views on related YouTube content. Indirect revenue from merchandise, cinema, and presence on platforms like Roblox surpasses the game’s own revenue.
According to PGB 2026, this transmedia behavior is strong in Brazil: 59.8% of gamers watch game adaptations regularly, and 37.2% started playing a franchise after watching an adaptation. This reinforces that visibility actions at events like gamescom latam can resonate across multiple formats and platforms.
For companies operating in this multi-platform model, the need for partners across different markets and segments is even greater. An event with gamescom’s international structure connects those dots.
The contact that converts into business
The gaming industry is global by nature: a game developed in Brazil can be distributed in Asia, and a European publisher can find its next localization partner in São Paulo. The structure of international events like gamescom reflects this reality by connecting three continents within a single business ecosystem.
For professionals and companies working in or looking to enter the gaming market, the question is not just about being present, but about being present in the right place. An event with international DNA, an integrated contact network, and access to regional market intelligence is where opportunities turn into results.
Frequently asked questions
Why is an international event more strategic than a local one for gaming business?
Because the gaming industry is global by nature. An event with editions across multiple continents, like gamescom, offers an integrated contact network where a deal started in São Paulo can materialize in Cologne or Bangkok. Isolated local events do not offer this continuity.
Why does the competition for attention make networking more important?
Because the number of payers is growing globally (+4.9%), but average spend per payer is declining. This means more competition for every dollar invested by consumers. Companies with an established network and access to qualified partners have an advantage in this race.
Why is the Roblox case relevant for companies looking to enter Latin America?
Because Roblox illustrates that global platforms require native expertise to deliver results. The recommendation from specialists, endorsed by Newzoo, is to enter through partnerships with local teams. The same logic applies to the LATAM market: regional partners accelerate the learning curve and reduce risk.
Why does the transmedia model reinforce the need for events with international reach?
Because franchises like Poppy Playtime show that gaming revenue today comes from multiple formats: games, merchandise, cinema, platforms like Roblox, and YouTube content. Operating in this model requires partners across different markets and segments, and events like gamescom latam connect those dots.
Why is gamescom latam relevant within the global gamescom ecosystem?
Because it is the only edition dedicated to Latin America, one of the fastest-growing regions in the industry (US$ 9.3 billion in 2026, +7.9% YoY). The event connects regional professionals to gamescom’s global ecosystem, with B2B matchmaking, exclusive data, and access to an international business network.
