Games Done Quick and gamescom have announced the creation of gamescom GDQ, a new live event set to take place from August 28 to 30, 2026 during the event in Germany. The initiative marks the first time the project will be held in Europe and also represents the first official partnership between the two organizations.

The event will feature three days of speedrunning, with programming starting daily at 10 a.m. Central European Time and running until approximately 8 p.m. Attendees will be able to experience everything live on site, while global audiences can follow along through the organization’s official Twitch and YouTube channels.

Beyond entertainment, the event carries a clear social purpose, benefiting Gaming for Democracy, an initiative created in partnership with Bertelsmann Stiftung and Stiftung Digitale Spielekultur, aimed at encouraging civic engagement and promoting democratic values through gaming culture.

"We're thrilled to expand Games Done Quick globally and to bring a live event to gamescom in Germany, an opportunity that's incredibly meaningful to our team", said Ashley Farkas, Owner and Business Director at Games Done Quick, in the official announcement. "This partnership not only supports an amazing initiative, but also creates space for more runners to participate, especially those who haven't previously had the opportunity to travel to the US."

"Speedrunning captivates millions of people around the world. We are therefore all the more excited to announce gamescom GDQ", said Tim Endres, Director of gamescom. "This gives fans in Europe their first opportunity to experience this popular format live. At the same time, the event underscores gamescom's importance not only in its leading role for the games industry and community, but also as a platform for social engagement."

"Games Done Quick and gamescom are a perfect match: Here, it becomes clear what makes gaming so special: the sense of community, the passion, the competition, but also simply the joy of playing games and creatively pushing the boundaries of the rules. Added to this is the social commitment. gamescom GDQ is therefore the ideal complement to the gamescom program", said Stefan Heikhaus, Head of gamescom and events at game, The German Games Industry Association.

As with previous events organized by Games Done Quick, the showcase will feature a curated lineup of speedruns performed by top players from around the world, celebrating skill, community, and the positive impact of games.

Since 2010, the organization has raised more than 60 million dollars for charities worldwide, including Doctors Without Borders, Prevent Cancer Foundation, Malala Fund, and Race Forward. Runner submissions will open on May 4, 2026, while additional details, including the full event schedule, will be announced soon.