Games Done Quick will host its first European event, gamescom GDQ, live from Cologne, Germany, with daily speedruns and charity fundraising from 28-31 August during gamescom
Games Done Quick is set to launch its inaugural European event, gamescom GDQ, with a live speedrunning marathon at the Koelnmesse in Cologne, Germany. Scheduled to run from 28 to 31 August, the event will coincide with the main gamescom convention, offering both in-person and online audiences a full schedule of charity speedruns streamed on Twitch and YouTube. The daily programme is set to begin at 10 a.m. CEST (4 a.m. ET / 1 a.m. PT) and continue until around 8 p.m. CEST (2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT), providing a packed schedule for viewers across multiple time zones.
Charity Focus and Featured Games
This year's gamescom GDQ will raise funds for Gaming for Democracy, an initiative developed in partnership with Bertelsmann Stiftung and Stiftung Digitale Spielekultur. The project aims to promote civic engagement and democratic values through gaming culture. The event's speedrun line-up includes anticipated titles such as Hades II, The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, alongside a variety of other games. The full schedule is available on the official Games Done Quick website, allowing fans to plan which runs to catch live or on demand.
Event Structure and Viewing Options
Attendees at gamescom will have the opportunity to watch speedruns live from the show floor, while remote viewers can follow the action via official GDQ streams. The event is structured as a three-day marathon, with each day featuring a curated selection of speedruns and community engagement opportunities. Games Done Quick has a long-standing reputation for combining high-level gameplay with fundraising, having raised over $60 million for charity since its inception in 2010. Previous events have supported organisations such as AbleGamers, Doctors Without Borders, and Prevent Cancer Foundation.
Gamescom's Broader Programme
Gamescom itself remains the world's largest gaming event, drawing developers, publishers, and fans from around the globe. The 2026 edition will run from 24 to 30 August, with the developer-focused gamescom dev conference opening the week and the public launch marked by gamescom Opening Night Live. The event's international reach is further extended by regional editions such as gamescom latam in São Paulo and gamescom asia x Thailand Game Show in Bangkok. For those interested in other recent event launches, the public Steam playtest for HELLCARD II, a cooperative roguelike deckbuilder, was recently highlighted in our coverage of new multiplayer releases: see our report on HELLCARD II's Steam playtest.
Charity speedrunning events like gamescom GDQ rely on a combination of live gameplay, scheduled programming, and community donations to achieve their fundraising goals. Unlike traditional gaming tournaments, speedrunning marathons are structured around completing games as quickly as possible, often using advanced techniques and deep knowledge of game mechanics. These events are typically broadcast live, with donation incentives and interactive elements designed to engage viewers and encourage participation throughout the marathon.
