Gamescom 2025 kicks off soon – here’s what to expect from Opening Night Live.
Gamescom 2025 is almost here. Cologne, Germany, is about to become gaming central again, packed with reveals, hands-on demos, and live broadcasts.
The physical event runs August 20–24, with trade and media getting first access on August 20 and the public joining from August 21. It all starts a day earlier, though, with the big curtain-raiser — Opening Night Live 2025.
Opening Night Live: The Main Event
The showcase goes live on August 19 at 11 am PDT / 2 pm EDT / 7 pm BST / 8 pm CEST. Geoff Keighley will host the two-hour stream, which is set to feature new game announcements, trailers, gameplay reveals, and chats with developers.
So far, confirmed reveals include:
Hollow Knight: Silksong and Borderlands 4 have been rumored, but here’s what’s actually confirmed: Silksong will have a playable demo for PC and the ROG Xbox Ally X handheld, while Borderlands 4 is among Xbox’s third-party partner demos on the show floor.
Xbox’s Big Presence
Xbox is showing up strong with 20 titles, playable demos, and even a theater experience for The Outer Worlds 2.
Playable demos from third-party partners include:
- PowerWash Simulator 2
- Cronos: The New Dawn
- Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater
- Super Meat Boy 3D
- There Are No Ghosts at the Grand
Two booth livestreams are planned:
- August 20 – ROG Xbox Ally handhelds, Grounded 2, Keeper (Double Fine), and Call of Duty: Black Ops 7
- August 21 – Ninja Gaiden 4, The Outer Worlds 2, and Overwatch 2 updates
Bethesda will also stream from August 22 for three days with interviews, showcases, and community features.
Future Games Show Returns
On August 20, the Future Games Show airs at 11 am PDT / 2 pm EDT / 7 pm BST / 8 pm CEST. Hosted by David Hayter (Solid Snake) and Maggie Robertson (Lady Dimitrescu), it’ll feature world premieres, fresh trailers, and deep dives into upcoming titles.
Right after, the FGS Live from Gamescom showcase kicks in with more trailers and interviews. A “Best of Gamescom” edition will air on August 24.
Spotlight on Indie Games
The Gamescom Awesome Indies 2025 showcase lands on August 21 at 9 am PDT / 12 pm EDT / 5 pm BST / 6 pm CEST. Expect exclusive trailers and first gameplay reveals from the indie scene.
The Indie Arena Booth will have a big lineup of playable titles from smaller studios for attendees to try.
Nintendo’s Return
After skipping last year, Nintendo is back. They’re bringing Switch and Switch 2 demos, including:
- Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
- Pokémon Legends: Z-A
Other Demos to Watch For
Bandai Namco will have Little Nightmares III playable and a special experience for The Blood of Dawnwalker. Pearl Abyss’s Crimson Desert will also be on the floor.
Why Gamescom Still Matters
Gamescom stands out from other big gaming events by welcoming both the industry and the public, letting fans get hands-on with major upcoming PC, Xbox Series X, and PS5 games ahead of launch.
Opening Night Live sits between Summer Game Fest in June and The Game Awards in December, making it a key stop in the year’s announcement cycle. It sets the tone for the week, gives press direct access to developers, and lets fans play games they’ve only seen in trailers.
In a year where event schedules keep shifting, Gamescom 2025 still feels like a must-watch — and a must-attend — for anyone serious about games.