Charity organization Games Done Quick has revealed it is partnering with the world’s biggest gaming event, Gamescom, to bring GDQ to Europe for a new, three-day-long speedrunning spectacle. Announced earlier today, the upcoming Gamescom GDQ marathon will take place August 28-30 at Gamescom. Those attending the convention will get the exciting opportunity to watch the events live at Cologne, Germany’s Koelnmesse, but rest assured that those at home will still be able to tune into both Twitch and YouTube to watch numerous highly-skilled speedrunners blaze through their favorite games.
For well over a decade, GDQ has served as an excellent way for the gaming community to raise money for charitable organizations while also providing viewers with over two weeks of thrilling, high-level speedruns to gawk at each year. In 2025 alone, the organization raised nearly $5.5 million across its two annual marathons–Awesome Games Done Quick and Summer Games Done Quick–and a handful of other special events, such as two, femme-focused Flame Fatales marathons.
Proceeds earned during Gamescom GDQ will be donated to Gaming for Democracy, a newly-founded initiative that supports “civic engagement and democratic values through gaming culture.” This marks the organization’s first time donating to this cause, as well as the first time GDQ has taken place in Europe.
“Games Done Quick and Gamescom are a perfect match,” Gamescom head Stefan Heikhaus wrote in a press release announcing the partnership. “Here, it becomes clear what makes gaming so special: the sense of community, the passion, the competition, but also simply the joy of playing games and creatively pushing the boundaries of the rules.”
Since its inception back in 2010, GDQ has raised more than $60 million for charities such as Doctors Without Borders, Prevent Cancer Foundation, Malala Fund, and Race Forward. Over the years, the organization has managed to pull off some truly impressive feats, such as its 70-person Super Mario 64 speedrun from earlier this year. Runner registration for Gamescom GDQ will open on May 4, with additional details and a full rundown of the event to be revealed soon after.
