You've probably heard the news, but we have expanded to a wonderful 2,037.5 square meters this year! That means, we'll be able to showcase a bigger number of games. We are proud to be collaborating with some fantastic partners and delegations again. Consequently, owing to their support, we can offer a limited amount of exclusive booth spaces for free or at a greatly discounted rate! Please check the specific booth type to verify if it's a free or discounted offer. The submission deadline is the same and you may have to add certain key words to your application or provide additional information to be considered, so please keep that in mind! We know how expensive showcasing can be, so on this page, you will find an overview of the free booth types in 2025 and how to apply for them. Naturally, all of these booths also include our other participation benefits. You can find more information about the general submission process on this page.
We are thrilled to announce our continued and valued partnership with Nintendo Switch™*. As part of this collaboration, Nintendo Switch is offering eight curated showcasing spots at Indie Arena Booth! The game will be showcased on one of their Nintendo Switch Kiosks including all necessary hardware - devs are expected to provide a showcasing demo in July. Here's a photo from last year's Nintendo Switch area.
π πΈπ‘π‘πππππ₯ππ π βππ’π¦ππ£πππππ₯π€β π
Developers working on Nintendo Switch™ titles can apply for one of these exclusive spots through the Indie Arena Booth backend. We created a separate booth type for this, so you do not have to mention anything particular in the application title. If you are also interested in other booth types or are worried you may not be chosen for the Nintendo Switch Booth, please feel free to check several booth types you're eager to get (e.g. Small Booth + Nintendo Switch Booth).
*Nintendo Switch is a trademark of Nintendo.
πΈ βππ£π₯ππππ‘ππ₯ππ π πππ πΈ
Free!
The Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung/bpb (Federal Agency for Civic Education) is hosting a booth at Indie Arena Booth and invites developers worldwide to submit their games that explore the theme of Democracy. Please check out their website to find out more about the fantastic and important work they do! β¨
π πΈπ‘π‘πππππ₯ππ π βππ’π¦ππ£πππππ₯π€β π
Use the keyword “Democracy” in your application title (Game Name + Democracy).
Include a paragraph in the “Game Description” field explaining how your game relates to democracy (Add a “Democracy” headline + your explanation).
We welcome games that deal with the theme of democracy and its many dimensions (including, but not limited to, democracy as a political system, democracy and/as participation, democracy and/as culture, challenges and threats to democracy, history and future of democracy).
The Indie Arena Booth jury will make a pre-selection from all the games submitted, paying particular attention to if and how the topic of democracy is addressed in mechanics, narratives and/or style, so that unique, innovative and thought-provoking approaches to the topic of democracy are created for players. The final selection is made by the bpb.
πΈ βππ£π₯ππππ‘ππ₯ππ π πππ πΈ
Free!
Some of the free booth types are country-specific, so please have a look at the below options to see if you are eligible! As of now, we've partnered with delegations from Catalonia (Spain), Switzerland, and the following state delegations in Germany: Gamecity Hamburg (Hamburg), Medien Bayern (Bavaria), Kultur- und Kreativwirtschaft Hessen (Hesse) and Film und Medienstiftung NRW (North-Rhine Westphalia).
We have been collaborating with ICEC for several years and are in awe at the number of outstanding indie games brought to IAB through their presence. If you would like to learn more about their fantastic mission, please check them out here.
π πΈπ‘π‘πππππ₯ππ π βππ’π¦ππ£πππππ₯π€β π
Eligible developers must be from Catalonia, Spain or have their studio located there. In order to be considered, please sure to add the key word [ICEC] to your application name, so a valid application name would be ["Game Name" + ICEC], for example!
πΈ βππ£π₯ππππ‘ππ₯ππ π πππ πΈ
Free!
The Flanders Audiovisual Fund (VAF) supports independent developers in Flanders, helping to build a sustainable future for the local game sector. We are beyond excited to have them on board this year as it's their first time showcasing at Indie Arena Booth! Please check out their website to learn more about the fantastic endeavors they support.
π πΈπ‘π‘πππππ₯ππ π βππ’π¦ππ£πππππ₯π€β π
Developers with their studio based in Flanders and Brussels can apply for one of the free booth spaces at the VAF Booth. Please include they key word [VAF] in your application to be considered. VAF are encouraging teams with new games to apply, so IAB participants from 2023 and 2024 are not eligible.
πΈ βππ£π₯ππππ‘ππ₯ππ π πππ πΈ
Free!
Northern Ireland Screen is developing the interactive sector through the support of indigenous talent working in video games, immersive and web. You can find out more about what they do on their website. They were a part of IAB 2023 and we are excited to have them back with us this year!
π πΈπ‘π‘πππππ₯ππ π βππ’π¦ππ£πππππ₯π€β π
Developers with their studio based in Northern Ireland can apply for one of the free booth spaces at the Northern Ireland Booth. Please include they key word [NIS] in your application to be considered.
πΈ βππ£π₯ππππ‘ππ₯ππ π πππ πΈ
Free!
SwissGames is an initiative by the Swiss arts council Pro Helvetia to promote the Swiss games cluster at home and abroad. We've had the pleasure of working with them a number of times throughout the years and they are once again returning to IAB this year! To find out more about them, please click here.
π πΈπ‘π‘πππππ₯ππ π βππ’π¦ππ£πππππ₯π€β π
In order to be considered for one of the free booth spaces provided by SwissGames, please make sure to include the key word [Swiss] in your application name. In addition, your studio must be based in Switzerland.
πΈ βππ£π₯ππππ‘ππ₯ππ π πππ πΈ
Free!
Gamecity Hamburg’s aim is to improve the general conditions for companies and founders of the games value chain in the city, to support them in their further development and to anchor Hamburg in the public perception as one of the leading games hubs in Europe. Our partnership with them goes back many years and we're eager to see what's in store for the 2025 Hamburg lineup! You can find out more about them on their website. You can find even more info on the application process on their "road to gamescom 2025" page!
π πΈπ‘π‘πππππ₯ππ π βππ’π¦ππ£πππππ₯π€β π
In order to be considered for one of the free booth spaces provided by Gamecity Hamburg, please make sure to include the key word [Gamecity] in your application name. In addition, your studio must be based in Hamburg, Germany.
πΈ βππ£π₯ππππ‘ππ₯ππ π πππ πΈ
Free!
At the intersection of politics, industry and the public, Games/Bavaria enables companies and creators to develop their full potential in the Bavarian games industry. Find out more about our partner Games/Bavaria here!
π πΈπ‘π‘πππππ₯ππ π βππ’π¦ππ£πππππ₯π€β π
In order to be considered for one of the free booth spaces provided by Games Bavaria, please make sure to include the key word [Bavaria] in your application name. In addition, your studio must be based in Bavaria, Germany.
πΈ βππ£π₯ππππ‘ππ₯ππ π πππ πΈ
Free!
The "Geschäftsstelle Kultur- und Kreativwirtschaft Hessen (Hessen Agentur)" or Cultural and Creative Industries Hesse office is the point of contact for the creative industries in Hesse. They advise, network, promote and campaign for the visibility of the industry, for example with their presence at trade fairs such as gamescom.
π πΈπ‘π‘πππππ₯ππ π βππ’π¦ππ£πππππ₯π€β π
In order to be considered for one of the free booth spaces provided by Geschäftsstelle Kultur- und Kreativwirtschaft Hessen (Hessen Agentur), please make sure to include the key word [Hessen] in your application name. In addition, your studio must be based in Hesse, Germany.
πΈ βππ£π₯ππππ‘ππ₯ππ π πππ πΈ
Free!
The Film- und Medienstiftung NRW is one of the most important funding institutions in Germany and Europe with a funding volume of 35 million euros. The Foundation supports feature and television films, series, games, the modernisation of cinemas, the development of radio plays and audiovisual content, and supports up-and-coming film and media talents in NRW. As one of our cherished long-term partners, we're excited to have them back at IAB! To find out more about them, please go and check out their website here.
π πΈπ‘π‘πππππ₯ππ π βππ’π¦ππ£πππππ₯π€β π
In order to be considered for one of the free booth spaces provided by Film und Medien Stiftung NRW, please make sure to include the key word [NRW] in your application name. In addition, your studio must be based in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.
πΈ βππ£π₯ππππ‘ππ₯ππ π πππ πΈ
Free!
MFG Baden-Wuerttemberg is an institution of the state of Baden-Wuerttemberg and Suedwestrundfunk public broadcaster. MFG is short for Medien and Filmgesellschaft, which translates as Media and Film Society. The aim of MFG is to promote film culture and film industry as well as the cultural and creative industries in the Southwest of Germany. This year, they're bringing their vision to Indie Arena Booth, offering discounted booth spaces for talented devs! Learn more about them here.
π πΈπ‘π‘πππππ₯ππ π βππ’π¦ππ£πππππ₯π€β π
In order to be considered for one of the discounted booth spaces provided by MFG Baden-Wuerttemberg, please make sure to include the key word [MFG] in your application name. In addition, your studio must be based in Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany.
πΈ βππ£π₯ππππ‘ππ₯ππ π πππ πΈ
€ 1,000 per space
