Europe remains a powerhouse in the global gaming landscape, hosting some of the most iconic conventions, cutting-edge industry conferences, and thrilling esports tournaments. Whether you’re a developer, a cosplayer, a competitive gamer, or just a fan of interactive entertainment, the continentโs event calendar for the rest of 2025 is full of must-attend opportunities.
Looking for UK gaming events? Click here.
๐น๏ธ Major Gaming Conventions & Festivals
Gamescom 2025
๐ Cologne, Germany
๐
August 20 โ 24, 2025
๐๏ธ Gamescom Opening Night Live: August 19
The biggest video game event in the world returns to Cologne. With new game reveals, hardware launches, esports competitions, and hundreds of thousands of attendees, Gamescom remains the definitive gaming convention worldwide.
Fantasy Basel 2025
๐ Messe Basel, Switzerland
๐
May 29 โ 31, 2025
Switzerlandโs ultimate celebration of comics, gaming, and pop culture. Expect gaming demos, cosplay, fantasy exhibitions, and much more across three packed days.
Zurich Pop Con & Game Show 2025
๐ Messe Zรผrich, Switzerland
๐
September 27 โ 28, 2025
A vibrant mix of gaming, cosplay, anime, and pop culture, Zurichโs largest fan event provides a comprehensive entertainment experience with crossover appeal.
Krรถnchen Convention 2025
๐ Siegerlandhalle, Siegen, Germany
๐
August 2 โ 3, 2025
A smaller regional convention combining gaming with anime and fandom culture, ideal for casual fans and local community engagement.
Japan Expo 2025
๐ Parc des Expositions de Villepinte, Paris, France
๐
July 3 โ 6, 2025
Although known for Japanese culture, this expo features a robust gaming zone where Japanese developers showcase titles and host interactive experiences for European fans.
Heroes Dutch Comic Con 2025
๐ Jaarbeurs, Utrecht, Netherlands
๐
June 20 โ 22, 2025
A beloved pop culture event with a strong focus on gaming, comic creators, TV series, and movies. Expect interactive exhibits and game previews.
DoKomi 2025
๐ Messe Dรผsseldorf, Germany
๐
June 6 โ 8, 2025
Europeโs premier anime convention with a growing gaming presence. Itโs a cultural fusion of cosplay, game testing zones, and J-pop experiences.
Animefest 2025
๐ Vรฝstaviลกtฤ Brno, Czech Republic
๐
May 23 โ 25, 2025
One of Central Europeโs most notable anime conventions, also featuring retro and modern gaming zones, fan meetups, and themed competitions.
Comic Con Baltics 2025
๐ LITEXPO, Vilnius, Lithuania
๐
May 23 โ 25, 2025
The largest event of its kind in the Baltics, with a strong gaming presence, including local studios, VR booths, and indie showcases.
Lisboa Games Week 2025
๐ FIL Exhibition Centre, Lisbon, Portugal
๐
November 20 โ 23, 2025
A highlight of Portugalโs gaming scene with B2B networking, indie game showcases, and public access areas for fans and families alike.
๐๏ธ Industry Conferences
Nordic Game 2025 (Spring)
๐ Slagthuset, Malmรถ, Sweden
๐
May 20 โ 23, 2025
A vital hub for developers in the Nordics and beyond. High-profile talks from leaders at Ubisoft and 22cans set the tone for serious collaboration and idea exchange.
Devcom 2025
๐ Koelnmesse, Cologne, Germany
๐
August 17 โ 19, 2025
Europeโs largest developer conference takes place right before Gamescom, creating the perfect environment for business meetings, panels, and game reveals.
A MAZE./ Berlin 2025
๐ Berlin, Germany
๐
May 14 โ 17, 2025
A unique event spotlighting indie games, VR, and experimental media. A MAZE. is the go-to festival for artistic and unconventional game design.
Digital Dragons 2025
๐ ICE Krakow Congress Centre, Poland
๐
May 18 โ 20, 2025
A major B2B gaming event in Central Europe. Known for strong networking opportunities, workshops, and talks that bring developers and publishers together.
SPIEL Essen 2025
๐ Essen, Germany
๐
October 23 โ 26, 2025
The worldโs largest public board game fair. Discover and test thousands of new titles before they hit storesโideal for tabletop fans and creators alike.
๐ Esports Tournaments & Leagues
The International 2025 โ Dota 2
๐ Barclays Arena, Hamburg, Germany
๐
September 4 โ 14, 2025
The biggest event in Dota 2 esports lands in Hamburg. With a huge prize pool and global hype, this is the crown jewel of MOBA competition.
VALORANT Champions 2025
๐ Paris, France
๐
September 12 โ October 5, 2025
The world’s best VALORANT teams battle it out in Paris. This final marks the pinnacle of the VCT season with intense group stages and a thrilling playoff finale.
LEC Summer 2025
๐ Berlin, Germany
๐
July โ August 2025
Europeโs top League of Legends teams compete weekly for regional dominance and Worlds qualification. Matches will be streamed and live-attended in Berlin.
VCT 2025: EMEA Stage 2
๐ Berlin, Germany
๐
July โ August 2025
An essential stop in the VALORANT circuit, this event decides who moves on to the final global competitions. Expect surprises and new strategies.
IEM Cologne 2025 โ CS2
๐ Cologne, Germany
๐
July 26 โ August 3, 2025
A cornerstone of the Counter-Strike competitive calendar. This prestigious event always delivers explosive plays and iconic finals.
IESF European Esports Championship 2025
๐ Pristina, Kosovo
๐
July 9 โ 13, 2025
Featuring CS2, Dota 2, and womenโs CS2 teams, this championship brings together national teams from across Europe for continental glory.
eChampions League 2025
๐ Germany
๐
May 15 โ 28, 2025
EA SPORTSโ premier FIFA esports event for Europe. Expect elite players, skillful matches, and plenty of drama on the virtual pitch.
DreamLeague Season 26 โ Dota 2 (Online)
๐ Online
๐
May 18 โ June 1, 2025
One of the most consistent Dota 2 leagues worldwide. This season features top-tier teams competing in a fully online format.
Elisa PGL Wallachia Season 5 โ Dota 2
๐ Bucharest, Romania
๐
June 18 โ 29, 2025
A major Eastern European Dota 2 event, this tournament attracts big teams and showcases up-and-coming talent on a global stage.
๐ Quick Reference Table
| Event | Dates | Location | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gamescom | Aug 20 โ 24 | Cologne, DE | Convention |
| Fantasy Basel | May 29 โ 31 | Basel, CH | Convention |
| Zurich Pop Con | Sept 27 โ 28 | Zurich, CH | Convention |
| Japan Expo | July 3 โ 6 | Paris, FR | Convention |
| Nordic Game (Spring) | May 20 โ 23 | Malmรถ, SE | Conference |
| Devcom | Aug 17 โ 19 | Cologne, DE | Conference |
| Digital Dragons | May 18 โ 20 | Krakow, PL | Conference |
| A MAZE./ Berlin | May 14 โ 17 | Berlin, DE | Festival |
| SPIEL Essen | Oct 23 โ 26 | Essen, DE | Board Games |
| The International | Sept 4 โ 14 | Hamburg, DE | Dota 2 Esports |
| VALORANT Champions | Sept 12 โ Oct 5 | Paris, FR | Esports |
| IEM Cologne | Jul 26 โ Aug 3 | Cologne, DE | CS2 Esports |
| LEC Summer 2025 | Jul โ Aug | Berlin, DE | LoL Esports |
| VCT: EMEA Stage 2 | Jul โ Aug | Berlin, DE | VALORANT Esports |
| IESF Champs | Jul 9 โ 13 | Pristina, XK | Esports |
| eChampions League | May 15 โ 28 | Germany | FIFA Esports |
| DreamLeague S26 | May 18 โ Jun 1 | Online | Dota 2 League |
| Elisa PGL Wallachia | Jun 18 โ 29 | Bucharest, RO | Dota 2 Esports |
๐ฏ Final Thoughts
Europeโs gaming ecosystem is rich, expansive, and packed with opportunities to connect, learn, and play. Whether you’re heading to Gamescom or watching The International from home, 2025 promises to be a milestone year for European gaming culture.