The beloved speedrunning charity marathon Games Done Quick is making its long-awaited European debut this summer. The organization has announced a partnership with Gamescom to host a dedicated three-day event, dubbed Gamescom GDQ, running from August 28 through 30 at the massive Koelnmesse convention center in Cologne, Germany. It marks a significant milestone for GDQ, which has held all of its major events in the United States since launching in 2010.
The event will feature daily programming starting at 10am CEST and continuing until approximately 8pm CEST, giving European fans a far more convenient viewing schedule than the usual late-night streams they endure during US-based marathons. Attendees at Gamescom will be able to watch the speedruns live in person, while viewers around the world can follow along on GDQ’s official Twitch and YouTube channels as usual.
Rather than benefiting GDQ’s traditional charity partners — the Prevent Cancer Foundation and Doctors Without Borders — the Gamescom edition will raise funds for a new cause. Proceeds will go to Gaming for Democracy, an initiative developed in collaboration with Bertelsmann Stiftung and Stiftung Digitale Spielekultur that aims to promote civic engagement and democratic values through gaming culture. It is the first time the organization has supported this particular cause.
GDQ has built an extraordinary track record of charitable fundraising over its 16-year history, having raised more than $60 million in total. In 2025 alone, the organization brought in nearly $5.5 million across its two flagship marathons and additional special events, including a pair of femme-focused Flame Fatales marathons. The community has also produced memorable moments, such as a 70-person collaborative Super Mario 64 speedrun earlier this year.
Speedrunners eager to showcase their skills on the European stage can submit their runs beginning May 4 through the GDQ website, with the full event schedule to be revealed at a later date. GDQ owner and business director Ashley Farkas said the expansion is especially meaningful because it opens doors for runners who have never had the chance to travel to the US for a live event. Gamescom head Stefan Heikhaus echoed that enthusiasm, calling the partnership a natural fit that highlights everything that makes gaming culture special — community, passion, competition, and the creative drive to push a game’s boundaries.
European speedrunning fans who cannot wait until August may want to check out European Speedrunner Assembly, which hosts its own charity marathons on the continent. But with GDQ’s proven formula of high-level gameplay and massive community engagement arriving at the world’s largest gaming trade show, Gamescom GDQ has the potential to become a standout addition to the annual gaming calendar.