Construction:

Area/halls	Times
entertainment area/halls 5-10	August 16 - 21, 2026: 6:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. August⁠ 22, 2026: 6:00 a.m. - midnight August⁠ 23 - 24, 2026: midnight – midnight August⁠ 25, 2026: midnight - 6:00 p.m.*
business area/halls 2-4	August 21, 2026: 6:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. ⁠⁠August 22, 2026: 6:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. August 23–24, 2026: 12:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m. August 25, 2026: 12:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

You can begin setting up in the entertainment area on Sunday, August 16, 2026, starting at 6:00 a.m. Setup must be completed by 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 25, 2026. At this time, the aisles must be completely clear.

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Dismantling:

Area/halls

Times

entertainment area/halls 5-10

August 30, 2026: 8:00 p.m. – midnight
August ⁠31 – September 01, 2026: midnight - midnight

business area/halls 2-4

August 28, 2026: 8:00 p.m. – midnight
August 29–30, 2026: 12:00 a.m. - 12:00 a.m.
⁠August 31, 2026: 12:00 a.m. – 6:00
p.m.

Please note: Dismantling can take place as planned in Halls 2.2 + 4.2,
but there are limited times for logistics traffic:

Friday, August 28: Access for dismantling vehicles only from 9:00 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday, August 29 & 30:
- Hall 2.2: Access for vehicles <12 tons only between 12:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. and midnight.
- Vehicles >12 tons can also drive directly to the hall for loading during the day on Saturday and Sunday. Individual time slots will be set up for traffic management.
  
  Transport via freight elevators via Hall 2.1 remains possible, but is logistically limited.
- Hall 4.2: Access for dismantling vehicles only between 12:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. and 12:00 a.m.
  
  Removal via freight elevators via Hall 4.1 remains possible, but is logistically limited.
To compensate for the restrictions, we are offering an additional dismantling day on Monday, August 31, 2026 (midnight to 6:00 p.m.) to allow for a more even distribution of traffic.

Please note: From 7:00 a.m. on August 25, 2026, the outdoor and logistics areas of Hall 3.1 must be completely cleared. From this point on,
further deliveries by vehicles and the use of the logistics areas of Hall 3.1
will no longer be possible. Koelnmesse reserves the right to impose further
time restrictions on logistics traffic.

Dismantling of the exhibition stand and presentation of goods may not begin before the end of the event on Sunday, August 30, 2026, at 8:00 p.m.

Admission for dismantling personnel: from 8:00 p.m. Truck access: from 10:00 p.m. The dismantling of all stands and exhibits in the halls of the entertainment area must be completed by midnight on Tuesday, September 1, 2026.

General regulations

Please note that the dismantling times are mandatory and must therefore be strictly adhered to. Depending on the hall, the dismantling of all stands and exhibits must be completely finished by midnight on August 31 or September 1. It is not possible to request extended dismantling times. All stand construction materials and other items must be completely removed from the halls and outdoor areas by this closing time. All materials and items still in the halls or outdoor areas after the closing time will be removed and destroyed by Koelnmesse at the risk and expense of the respective exhibitor. Koelnmesse will only store items in exceptional cases, provided that the items left behind are obviously valuable. Further claims by Koelnmesse remain unaffected. Claims against Koelnmesse of any kind, in particular claims for damages, are excluded in such cases.

The access to the trade fair grounds is arranged efficiently via our new dynamic logistics management eSlot. From 8 weeks prior to gamescom you can easily book your slots online. Here you can find more information about eSlot.