London Mayor Boosts Investment in London Games Festival with £1m Infusion

The Mayor of London has announced an additional £1 million investment in Games London, the driving force behind the London Games Festival and associated events. This funding, provided by the Greater London Authority, will be allocated to support Games London's activities over the next three years, including future editions of the flagship festival. The Mayor's previous commitment of £1.2 million in 2018 demonstrates his continued support for the games sector in London. According to Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, "The thriving games industry in London is a significant success story, attracting substantial investment and creating jobs in our capital. As home to Europe's largest cluster of games studios, I am proud to provide over £1 million to foster growth, talent development, and skills for young Londoners. The return of the London Games Festival in 2023 will highlight innovative start-ups and promote opportunities for underrepresented talent, further showcasing our efforts to build a more inclusive and innovative London." Since its inception in 2015, Games London has generated over £75 million for games businesses in the UK capital and created 700 jobs. With the Mayor's additional funding, this figure is expected to increase by £45 million and 270 jobs. The upcoming London Games Festival, scheduled to take place from March 29 to April 8, will feature multiple events, including the Games Finance Market, WASD, BAFTA Games Awards, and Now Play This. Further details on other events, such as the LGF Official Selection and the Ensemble diversity initiative, will be announced next month. The 2022 London Games Festival marked a significant milestone, hosting 25,500 attendees from over 20 countries in its first in-person event since the pandemic.