Xbox is heading back to Cologne with a major gamescom lineup, celebrating 25 years of play while giving visitors hands-on access to some of its biggest upcoming games.
Xbox is returning to gamescom 2026 with one of its most extensive showcases yet. Taking place in Cologne, Germany, the event will give players an opportunity to experience 25 upcoming games across 140 gaming stations, while Xbox celebrates 25 years of the brand and the communities that have shaped its history.
The Xbox booth will bring together a mix of major franchises, highly anticipated releases and new experiences. Among the playable highlights are Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, Gears of War: E-Day, Minecraft Dungeons II, Fable, METRO 2039, Halo: Campaign Evolved, Forza Horizon 6 and Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024.
A lineup built around hands-on play
One of the biggest attractions will be Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, which will take center stage with its Core 6v6 multiplayer experience on Xbox Series X. Players will be able to get a closer look at the game's movement system and combat mechanics while experiencing the next chapter of the long-running multiplayer series.
Gears of War: E-Day will also have a major presence. Gamescom attendees will get the first public hands-on campaign experience, offering an early look at the origins of the Locust War and the relationship between Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago. The game is scheduled to launch on October 6, 2026.
For fans of fantasy and adventure, Fable will receive a special live demo presentation from Playground Games. The presentation will showcase its combat system, including the combination of melee, ranged and magical abilities.
Meanwhile, Minecraft Dungeons II will be playable for the first time at the event, promising tougher enemies, new challenges and plenty of loot for players willing to take on the adventure with friends.
From Japan to post-apocalyptic Moscow
The gamescom lineup also extends beyond Xbox's most established franchises.
STRANGER THAN HEAVEN will offer players their first opportunity to try its demo, featuring protagonist Makoto Daito and a combat system that allows independent control of both sides of the character. The demo covers three of the five Japanese cities and historical eras featured in the full game.
METRO 2039 will also be playable for the first time at gamescom ahead of its planned February 2027 release. Players will be able to explore the post-apocalyptic ruins of Moscow in the latest first-person shooter from 4A Games.
The lineup continues with Halo: Campaign Evolved, a modernized remake of Halo: Combat Evolved's iconic campaign, featuring updated visuals, refined gameplay and expanded combat options.
Racing fans will have something new to try in Forza Horizon 6, including the new Drift Attack feature and upcoming partnership content. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 will also bring new aviation content, including the first public hands-on experience with the National Championship Air Races.
Other games confirmed for the Xbox booth include Alien: Isolation 2, Alien Deathstorm, Bad Magpie, The Blood of Dawnwalker, Castlevania: Belmont's Curse, Crowsworn, Genigods: Nezha, Resonance: A Plague Tale Legacy, STAR WARS Zero Company, Terrible Lizards, Turok: Origins and Valor Mortis.
Xbox celebrates 25 years of gaming
Beyond upcoming releases, gamescom 2026 will serve as a celebration of Xbox's 25-year history.
Visitors will be able to revisit games, innovations and memorable moments from previous generations through interactive experiences designed around the history of the platform. Xbox FanFest will also return to Cologne, adding another community-focused element to the event.
For those unable to attend in person, Xbox will stream live coverage from its booth on YouTube and Twitch. The broadcasts will begin at 4 p.m. CEST on August 26 and August 27, featuring developer interviews, special guests, gameplay reveals, new trailers and other announcements.
The Xbox booth will be located in Hall 7, booth A-0.61, and will be open from August 27 through August 30. Xbox also says the space will include accessibility features such as Adaptive Controllers, adjustable-height demo stations, a quiet room and sensory items, as well as sign-language interpreters and audio descriptions.
With 25 games, 140 gaming stations and a lineup spanning blockbuster franchises, remakes, new IP and highly anticipated sequels, Xbox is positioning gamescom 2026 as both a showcase of what comes next and a celebration of where the brand has been.
For Xbox, the message is straightforward: after 25 years, there are still plenty of games to play.
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