Gamescom Latin America 2026 Announces Big Festival Finalists

Gamescom Latin America has released official information regarding its upcoming 2026 event, including participating companies and the Big Festival finalists. Sony (PlayStation), Microsoft (Xbox Game Studios), Blizzard Entertainment, Riot Games, Atari, Krafton, Gearbox Software, Crystal Dynamics, Raw Fury, and Kepler Interactive are confirmed to participate in the business-to-business (B2B) program at Gamescom Latin America 2026. Eliana Russi will serve as the head of B2B content for the event. Approximately 1,000 companies participated in both the 2024 and 2025 events. Gamescom Latin America is positioned to be a major milestone for the Latin American game industry in 2026, focusing on professionalization and wealth generation through its largest B2B schedule to date. The five-day B2B program will offer 90 hours of content for gaming industry professionals. Gamescom latam connect 1 and connect 2 will host keynote speeches, panel discussions, and roundtable chats centered on growth issues within the Brazilian and Latin American video game market. Representatives from game development, publishing, investment, and other crucial aspects of the global gaming industry are expected to attend.

B2B credentials will grant access to a digital matchmaking platform for scheduling meetings, as well as entry to exclusive programming within the connect scenes. Business tickets for Gamescom Latin America 2026 are currently in their final presale stage on the official website, with promotional pricing valid until March 9, after which a new pricing level will take effect. Gamescom Latin America also announced the finalists of the Big Festival 2026, which celebrates diversity, innovation, and inspiring stories in independent game development. The Big Festival, held in Brazil, is the world’s largest independent games award. This year, the organizers selected the best projects from among a record-breaking 966 entries spanning 75 countries. Brazil leads in participation with 451 titles, while other Latin American countries account for 87 registered projects. The Americas represent the majority of entries with 608 games, followed by Europe with 197. The 2026 edition also includes entries from countries with little to no previous participation, such as Aland Islands, Andorra, Brunei, and Oman.

Eighty-one titles have been selected to compete in the Gamescom Latin America Big Festival 2026 and will be showcased throughout the event. Twenty-eight competitive titles represent Latin America, including 15 from Brazil, three from Argentina, and games from Mexico, Colombia, Costa Rica, and Uruguay. The first part of the awards ceremony will take place on April 29, during Preview Day, with the second part held on May 3, during the official Gamescom Latin America 2026 schedule. A total of 18 awards will be presented throughout the event. Five titles have earned four nominations each: Aether: Iron (Seismic Squirrel) Keep Driving (Ycjy Games) Mio: Memories In Orbit (Douze Dixiemes) Moonlighter 2 (Digital Sun) Tethergeist (O. And Co. Games) Additionally, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, nominated for Best Sound and Best Game, enters the awards following its recognition as Game of the Year at The Game Awards in 2025. Gustavo Steinberg, CEO of Gamescom Latin America, stated that the Big Festival has always been a booster for independent developers, both in Brazil and internationally. He added that the record number of game entries and participating countries demonstrates the festival’s growing global impact, attracting more studios and diverse regions.

Finalists and Opportunities Await at Gamescom Latin America BIG Festival '26

Participants will have the opportunity to present their games, strengthen connections, exchange experiences, and explore new business opportunities. The complete list of nominees for the Gamescom Latin America BIG Festival is available online. Gamescom Latin America 2026 will take place from April 30 to May 3 at the Anhembi District in Sao Paulo, with press, content creators, and B2B visitors gaining access during the Preview Day on April 29. The event will feature hundreds of playable titles, brand announcements, and esports competitions, and will host the Big Festival indie game awards. The event will offer a dynamic platform for networking and partnership meetings.

In Case You Missed It

While we're on the topic of nostalgic gaming legends, you might want to check out Sophie Laurent's latest piece from February 12, 2026. Titled "David Wise, Composer of Donkey Kong, Confirms Presence at Gamescom Latin America 2026", this article is a must-read for any fan eager to learn about David Wise's upcoming appearances and performances at the event. Meanwhile, in other gaming industry news, Marcus Thompson has an exciting opportunity to share with game studios in São Paulo state. His latest article, "SEBRAE-SP Opens Registrations for Acceleration Program Targeting Game Studios" (published February 26, 2026), delves into the Crie Games program offering structured growth through the Modo Acceleration Pro track running from March to June 2026. Registrations close on March 1, 2026, so don't miss out!