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Gamescom Opening Night Live 2026 — all the ONL announcements as they come in with the show underway

The biggest gaming event of the year is live now

Two images of Gamescom Opening Night Live.
(Image credit: © Koelnmesse / gamescom)

Get ready gamers: the biggest gaming event of the year is almost here! The upcoming Opening Night Live show marks the official start of Gamescom 2026, which is set to be packed with major reveals from massive publishers like Ubisoft, Bandai Namco, Krafton, Capcom, Sega, and more.

It's the world's largest video game event, significantly bigger than the old E3 expo that it has come to replace ever was.

Hosted by celebrity presenter Geoff Keighley, the Opening Night Live show is the main event for consumers. It's filled with exciting trailers and reveals, with past years introducing us to Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, Resident Evil Requiem, Dead Island 2, and more.

Here's everything you need to know about the show, plus our live reactions as it happens.

Gamescom Opening Night Live 2026 date and start time

Gamescom Opening Night Live 2026 takes place today on August 25, 2026.

The show will officially begin at 2PM ET / 11AM PDT / 7PM BST / 8PM CEST.

How long is Gamescom Opening Night Live 2026?

Gamescom Opening Night Live 2026 is expected to last roughly two hours.

How to watch the Gamescom Opening Night Live 2026

The best place to watch the Gamescom Opening Night Live 2026 is via the YouTube broadcast on the Gamescom channel.

You can view the official video feed below.

gamescom Opening Night Live 2026 - YouTube gamescom Opening Night Live 2026 - YouTube
Watch On

The show will also be streamed on Twitch.

Gamescom Opening Night Live 2026 location

Gamescom Opening Night Live 2026 takes place in Koelnmesse, Hall 1.

The venue is part of the trade fair and exhibition center in Cologne, Germany.

Live coverage by
TechRadar author Dashiell Wood wearing a whimsical hat.
Live coverage by
Dashiell Wood

As TechRadar's Gaming Editor, it's my job to keep on top of the latest game releases and coordinate our coverage major gaming events. I've reported live from previous Gamescom shows on the ground in Cologne as well as Summer Game Fest in Los Angeles.

An extended look at Silent Hil Townfall now, including a terrifying floating monster!

We just got an official release date too! January 15, 2027.

Here's what Isaiah has to say:

"It'll release after GTA 6 (which should've been expected). Will it be able to compete though?

"Based on everything I'm seeing that it has to offer, it might be the first massive surprise in 2027.

"And it'll be free to play! (Let's hope it isn't riddled with microtransactions, though)"

An Ananta promotional screenshot.

(Image credit: NetEase Games)

Next up, a fresh Ananta trailer focusing on the game's second open-world city ChongXiao.

This is one title that I'm personally really looking forward to. It looks like a mix of Grand Theft Auto, Yakuza, Marvel's Spider-Man, and so much more.

The trailer also reveals some of your main motivations in the game: amassing social media followers.

Now time for some Gears of War: E-Day campaign footage.

We're seeing an awful lot of locust enemies, with a focus on the game's main antagonist.

Marcus Fenix is on screen too, with his rag-tag squad.

Rainbow Six Tactics will be a single-player only title, with 15 playable operators all with their own progression paths.

It's set to release in 2027.

Gamescom 2026

(Image credit: Gamescom)

Straight on to the next reveal: a new Rainbow Six game titled Rainbow Six Tactics.

It looks like an Xcom style strategy game all about managing a squad of soldiers and taking down a global terrorist threat.

Nodus Fall is the game's official title.

It's described as a co-op action game by Geoff, which again makes me think that it's not going to be a free-to-play title.

No word on a price though, and now the show has moved on to introducing its co-host - esports player Sjokz.

The first announcement is here...

Gamescom 2026

(Image credit: Gamescom)

It's official: the first announcement of Opening Night Live 2026 and it's some kind of creepy fantasy game published by Genshin Impact maker Hoyoverse.

I'm getting some serious Elden Ring vibes from this one.

Hoyoverse is known for free-to-play gacha titles, but this definitely looks like a premium game. I'm interested to learn more as the trailer unfolds!

Gamescom 2026

(Image credit: Gamescom)

Opening Night Live 2026 is officially underway!

Geoff Keighley is currently on stage, sporting his classic suit jacket and t-shirt combo.

He's currently introducing the show and talking about the current state of the game's industry but stay tuned, because the announcements are just about to begin...

Final Fantasy 7 Revelation

(Image credit: Square Enix)

Our news writer Demi Williams is also tuned in. Here's what she's hyped for...

"There are sure to be plenty of announcements, but there are only a few that I'm looking forward to.

"First is an extended trailer for The Witcher 3: Songs of the Past, hopefully a look at gameplay as well, and perhaps a release date?

"I'm also looking forward to seeing more of Final Fantasy 7 Revelation, and my fingers are crossed for Resident Evil Requiem DLC (please show me Ada or Jill!)"

Leon in Resident Evil Requiem and Resident Evil 4 remake

(Image credit: Capcom)

My colleague Isaiah Williams is on the ground in Cologne right now and will be watching the show as it unfolds.

Here are some of his big predictions and hopes for the show:

"Opening Night Live 2026 is finally here, and, in a year packed with several huge AAA releases, there's plenty of potential for some more heavy hitters to join the list.

"Between both announced and unannounced titles, there's seemingly no limit for what to expect to see. If I had to bet, I'd say Capcom is certainly holding a surprise reveal for either its upcoming remake, Resident Evil Veronica, or the expansion to its 2026 blockbuster, Resident Evil Requiem.

"Outside of Capcom though, I'd be shocked if Respawn Entertainment's third Star Wars Jedi entry doesn't make an appearance. Just wishful thinking? Maybe."

Opening Night Live

(Image credit: Opening Night Live)

Another leaked game was just shown off as part of the pre-show! Humankind 2 is official, and it will be out some time in 2027.

It's a shame there wasn't more gameplay shown, to be honest, as I would like to know what makes this entry different from the first - especially now that Civilization 7 is out with a very similar core mechanic to the original game.

Ten minutes to go everyone!

Our readers are split on ONL so far

Television set and bowl of popcorn.

(Image credit: Tetra Images (via Getty Images))

We're running a poll at the top of this page to measure how excited you all are about Opening Night Live 2026 and it looks like people opinions are split.

Looking at the results so far, 50% of your have hit the button saying that you're feeling Maximum hype - while the other 50% have said they're not even planning to tune in!

Not taken part? Scroll back up to the top of the page and cast your vote before the show begins.

That Worms game I mentioned earlier was just announced as part of the pre-show!

It's coming out some time in 2027.

Here are the games that have already been confirmed

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

(Image credit: CD Projekt Red)

We already know eight titles that will appear at Opening Night Live 2026, courtesy of a Geoff Keighley post earlier this week - including the highly anticipated The Witcher 3 expansion.

Here they are:

  • The Witcher 3: Songs of the Past
  • Final Fantasy 7 Revelation
  • Gears of War: E-Day
  • Ananta
  • Tides of Annihilation
  • Metro 2039
  • Game of Thrones: War for Westeros
  • Warlock: Dungeons & Dragons

Tune in now for the pre-show

gamescom Opening Night Live 2026 - YouTube gamescom Opening Night Live 2026 - YouTube
Watch On

The pre-show is just about to begin, so I would recommend tuning in if you don't want to miss it.

It's not a vital part of the show by any means, but if you're around and fancy giving it a watch there might be some neat games to catch your eye.

Earlier today presenter Geoff Keighley took to X to remind viewers of the show's length.

If you need a quick refresher, it's going to be two hours long with a thirty minute pre-show.

Another possible leak here, this time highlighted by popular gaming personality 'Wario64'.

Apparently Humankind 2 has been listed in the Steam backend, which would presumably be a sequel to the 2021 strategy game.

Although I found it pretty derivative of Civilization, I enjoyed what I've played of the first Humankind and would be keen for a more ambitious sequel.

Our the first Opening Night Live 2026 leaks in?

Our friends at Tom's Guide have spotted what appears to be some cover art for an as of yet unannounced Worms game on social media.

Could this be something that is revealed at the show tonight? We'll have to wait and see...

What is the Gamescom pre-show?

Opening Night Live 2026 is the main event, but there's also a half hour pre-show that will kick off very shortly.

Although I think that it will mainly focus on the Gamescom event and general hype around the show, I expect a few trailers to appear so we might get the odd announcement or two.

The stream is live right now, but there's nothing showing... Yet!

ONL 2026

(Image credit: gamescom)

The Gamescom Opening Night Live 2026 stream is currently live, but there's not much to see so far. There's a simple welcome screen with a black background and a countdown until the pre-show, which starts in 15 or so minutes.

Hello everyone!

Dash here to welcome you to the start of our Gamescom Opening Night Live 2026 coverage.

There's just under an hour to go until the show, so prepare for a steady stream of updates as things get into gear.

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