Latin America has officially cemented its place on the global gaming map. gamescom latam 2026 just wrapped up its third edition in São Paulo, and the numbers are staggering. From April 29 to May 3, the Distrito Anhembi transformed into a massive hub for fans, developers, and industry giants.

The event welcomed more than 154,000 visitors. This marks a massive 17.5% increase over last year. With over 400 games on display and 60 new releases, the energy was electric.

A Massive Hub for Global Business

gamescom latam isn’t just for fans. It is now a critical platform for the global games industry. Over 1,100 companies and 1,230 brands participated in the B2B segments. Networking was at an all-time high, with 13,000 business meetings held—a 46% jump from 2025.

Industry experts estimate these connections will generate US$180 million in new business. Brazil is now the strategic center for gaming in the Global South.

Eliana Russi, Partner and Head of B2B at gamescom latam has this to say:

“With more than 1,000 game development studios distributed across Brazil, the country demonstrates a unique reach, with creative hubs spread throughout all regions. Brazil is already the leading hub for the games industry in the Global South and an extremely strong consumer market.

At gamescom latam, our role is to strengthen and expand this ecosystem — connecting investors, buyers, publishers, accelerators, and studios from around the world. That’s why we bring the best of both national and international production to our audience, while also taking the best of Brazil abroad, boosting IP exports and bringing our stories to a global stage”

Hands-On With the Giants

The show floor featured the biggest names in the business. Nintendo, PlayStation, Electronic Arts, Capcom, and Riot Games all brought major experiences to the fans.

Attendees played hundreds of titles before they hit the market. Some of the most popular highlights included:

• LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight
• Invincible VS
• Phantom Blade Zero
• Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls

The Rise of the Competitive Scene

Esports took center stage this year. Fans crowded the arenas for the CONMEBOL eLibertadores 2026 finals. We also saw the debut of Versus One, a brand-new competitive circuit dedicated to fighting games.

Mortal Kombat tournaments also drew massive crowds, proving that the local competitive scene is hungrier than ever.

Celebrating Indie Creativity

The BIG Festival segment remains a cornerstone of the event. This year, the festival received over 960 submissions from 75 countries. In the end, 81 titles were selected as finalists.

Brazilian developers showed a strong presence with 451 submissions. This highlight on indie talent helps bridge the gap between small studios and global publishers.

A Cultural Phenomenon

The event featured more than 300 hours of content. Over 500 speakers shared their insights on panels and workshops. International icons like Brendan Greene and David Wise met with fans and professionals alike.

Gustavo Steinberg, CEO of gamescom latam, summarized the spirit of the event:

“gamescom latam is a major celebration for the gaming community, bringing together leading global brands and offering fans the opportunity to discover games and, most importantly, get hands-on with upcoming releases. This is only possible because of our DNA, which began with a focus on fostering industry business and has since expanded into a comprehensive experience hub.”

With over 2,000 influencers and 1,000 cosplayers attending, gamescom latam has truly become a cultural landmark. It is no longer just a local show—it is a mandatory stop on the international gaming calendar.