DreamHack

DreamHack Shatters Attendance Record With 60,000+ Fans — Confirms Return to Stockholm in 2026

DreamHack — Sun, 30 Nov 2025 19:48:29 +0000

DreamHack Shatters Attendance Record With 60,000+ Fans — Confirms Return to Stockholm in 2026.

Another record-setting year brought Sweden’s Prime Minister, His Royal Highness Prince Daniel, thrilling esports action, star-studded creator showcases, interactive expo experiences, and more to Stockholmsmässan.

STOCKHOLM – November 30, 2025 – ESL FACEIT Group (EFG), the leading esports and gaming entertainment company, today announced that DreamHack Stockholm 2025 has concluded after three blockbuster days of competition, creator showcases, expo activities and music. Returning to Stockholmsmässan from November 28–30, the festival delivered its most diverse content slate to date—uniting elite esports, massive creator talent, and breakout community events under one arena-shaking roof, making it the biggest DreamHack festival in Europe ever with over 60 000 people coming from 70 countries around the world.

For the first time, DreamHack Stockholm welcomed both Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and His Royal Highness Prince Daniel, marking a monumental moment for the Swedish gaming landscape and celebrating the country’s influence on global gaming culture.

“DreamHack Stockholm 2025 represents everything this festival stands for—community, competition, culture and creativity,” said Shahin Zarrabi, VP Festivals ESL FACEIT Group.

Following this festival’s massive success, DreamHack now announces its return to Stockholm 2026, 27-29 November – the same venue: Stockholmsmässan in Älvsjö.

“Seeing Swedish leadership join tens of thousands of players, families, and fans only reinforces what we’ve always known: gaming is one of the most powerful cultural forces in the world. Stockholm proved that again this weekend, and will do it again next year,” said Zarrabi.

The festival showcased a slate of world-class tournaments, all-star content creators, and entertainment experiences across three jam-packed days—solidifying DreamHack Stockholm as one of Europe’s must-attend gaming gatherings.

An Historic Overwatch Champions Series Title for EMEA

Last year’s finalists, Team Falcons and Crazy Raccoon—both part of the historic Korean domination in Overwatch Esports—were knocked out in the Lower Bracket, making the Overwatch Champions Series (OWCS) 2025 World Finals historic as the Grand Final became an all-EMEA battle between Al Qadsiah and Twisted Minds, where the latter triumphed 3–1 to become the OWCS 2025 World Champions.

On their way to the title, Twisted Minds defeated last year’s champions Team Falcons in the Upper Bracket semifinal with an impressive 3–0, followed by a 1–3 loss to Al Qadsiah in the UB final. The team rallied, entering the Grand Final after a comfortable 3–1 win over Crazy Raccoon in the Lower Bracket final to take revenge and secure the championship title.

NTMR Gaming Claims the Grand Major 2025 Championship Title for THE FINALS

NTMR Gaming — competing under their rallying cry “Fear the Nightmare” — captured the Grand Major 2025 title, becoming the first team to reach 5 match points in THE FINALS’ signature Heat System. After a commanding Day 1 that earned them top seed, the North American trio of Uni, Lasagna, and Gremliners fought through a tense Day 2, eliminating fan favorites ENVY and rising stars TSM before securing victory over challengers Team Secret, FNATIC, and SSG. Uni delivered standout performances throughout the weekend, though NTMR’s coordinated play was key to their championship run.

The event marked a milestone for THE FINALS esports, peaking at over 30,000 concurrent English-language viewers, with additional audiences in Chinese and Korean. DreamHack’s 700-seat arena remained packed across both days, with fans filling aisles during Day 2 to stay close to the action.

“We consider this year 0 of THE FINALS esports — this is just the beginning,” said Oscar Lundberg, Community Lead. “To start off with such an amazing, high-stakes, high-energy event feels absolutely incredible. We’ll be back for more in 2026 — we’re just getting started.”

Crazy Arena, Crazy Crowd, and Crazy Raccoon Lit Up The Brawl Stars World Finals in Stockholm

The Brawl Stars World Finals brought massive energy to Stockholm as 16 international teams competed for a $1,000,000 prize pool. Fans packed the venue throughout the weekend to witness pro-level competition and a ceremony performance of The Good Randoms.

The Grand Finals match ended with Crazy Raccoon taking down HMBLE in a 3-0 sweep, getting revenge for last year’s World Finals matchup in Helsinki, where HMBLE reigned victorious.

Congratulations to Crazy Raccoon, who on their way to the title, took down world class teams such as STMN Esports and SK Gaming.

BIG EQUIPA and Emmsan Get To Lift ESL Impact Trophy on Home Soil

ESL Impact League Season 8 Finals featured two Grand Final debut teams as MIBR fe and BIG EQUIPA battled it out, with BIG EQUIPA claiming the title and $50,000.

After losing the opening game vs Sakura (8–13), BIG EQUIPA impressed the audience with stunning Counter-Strike 2 performances. The new European superteam dominated the remainder of the event, including a 2–0 win over NIP Impact in the semifinals, with star player Mayline-Joy “ASTRA” Champliaud posting a dominant 1.52 rating.

The win was especially meaningful for the squad’s sole Swedish representative, Emma “Emmsan” Mattsson, who hoisted her first ESL Impact trophy on home soil.

“I’m proud. I love my team. I love you Stockholm,” she said in the winner’s interview.

Monte to EPL as DreamHack Knockout Brings Back Old-School Counter-Strike

38 teams came to Stockholm to compete for glory and one ticket to the world’s biggest Counter-Strike 2 league, the ESL Pro League. After a weekend of thrilling matches, tense rounds, and roaring crowds echoing across DreamHack’s C Hall, Monte secured the EPL spot by defeating FUT in the final (2–1). Dominating opponents such as 500, GenOne, and OG on their run to the final, Monte remained ruthless to the very end — proving that old-school Counter-Strike 2 BYOC is here to stay.

Beta Squad’s AJ & Kenny Send DreamHack into Chaos — Fans Cry, Meet & Greet Sells Out

AJ and Kenny from Beta Squad lit up DreamHack with one of the most explosive creator appearances of the weekend. Their Meet & Greet quickly became an emotional storm of excitement, with fans shaking, smiling through tears, and clutching signed merch like trophies.

The new Chat vs Champs format proved to be a standout hit, delivering exactly the kind of unpredictable entertainment Beta Squad is known for. The room was packed wall-to-wall, tickets sold out, and everyone there stayed locked in.

Mirabell, Jocke Lundell and a Hometown-Flavoured Opening Ceremony Ignited Friday

One of Sweden’s biggest TikTok stars, Mirabelle Lundgren, opened the festival with her first-ever live appearance on the Main Stage. Swedish social media heavyweight Joakim Lundell followed with an intense DJ set — complete with pyro and lasers — before the Stockholm–metro–themed opening ceremony shook the venue. Finally, Norwegian trio Ballinciaga closed the night in signature style, getting the arena dancing in vintage pink balaclavas.

IJustWantToBeCool’s First Ever Stockholm Show Packed the Arena

With 900 people at the meet-and-greet and several thousand filling the Main Stage area, IJustWantToBeCool proved yet again why they’re one of Sweden’s biggest entertainment groups of the past decade. The first live edition of “Vad?” was a runaway hit.

DreamHack Stockholm 2025 Breaks Records as the Nordics’ Biggest Gaming Expo

DreamHack Stockholm 2025 shattered records with the largest gaming expo ever held in the Nordics — filling the arena with world-class gaming culture, competition and creativity. Presenting partner Elgiganten led a lineup of industry giants, while LEGO ran a bustling Builders Zone and Nintendo showcased beloved titles. Thousands flocked to the expansive free-play area to compete, explore and game alongside fans from across the region.

The show floor became a spectacle of innovation and hype — Red Bull parked a real F1 car, Lamborghini glimmered under the lights, and Lenovo stole the spotlight with one of the wildest booth designs the event has ever seen.

Stockholm’s Cosplay Community Shows Up Big Across Two Competitions

DreamHack’s best-dressed attendees lit up the Main Stage during the festival’s Cosplay Championship. The competition awarded 25,000 SEK, gift cards, products worth 15,000 SEK, and tickets to DreamHack 2026 across three divisions.

reGnakED’s Beastmaster won the Expert category, Orig8kami’s Vestal took Artisan, and Mammma Gina’s Yennefer secured Novice.

The Extreme Cosplay Gathering Qualifier showcased another talented field, with cosplayers competing for a chance to appear at Japan Expo in Paris — Europe’s largest cosplay stage. A Final Fantasy XVI trio — Tokah (Clive Rosfield), Yumidun (Jill Warrick), and Mayo (Benedikta Harman) — won top honors and will represent in 2025 with hopes of taking home a regional title.

A message to the community

DreamHack — Sun, 02 Nov 2025 17:08:12 +0000

Today, we’re announcing DreamHack is returning to Atlanta in May 2026, bringing along major esports IPs such as CDL and IEM. For those of you who are familiar with our calendar from the last few years, you’ll notice it’s within the same time frame we usually bring DreamHack to Dallas at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center.

Texas was the first state we expanded DreamHack to when we came to the US, and DreamHack Dallas has consistently broken records as the largest DreamHack festival in the world. Over the next few years, however, the convention center is seeing some exciting developments of its own.

It’s currently being upgraded to serve as the International Broadcast Center for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. After that, and until 2029, it will undergo a major expansion to renovate the venue and surrounding areas. We couldn’t be happier to see our partners at the KBHCC getting a well-deserved upgrade. At the same time, that means we needed to explore alternative locations for our May festival.

Atlanta and the Georgia World Congress Center is our longest-running active home of DreamHack. As a city with a long history and legacy of gaming communities, it was a natural choice to bring the spirit of all of our past US festivals into one place and one festival in Atlanta in May next year.

Our commitment stays the same. DreamHack is a place for everyone and everything gaming and esports to gather under one roof. In a time when we’re seeing more social disconnect than ever, and especially for a culture that largely takes place at home in front of a screen, we need more places to meet, celebrate, and compete in person. Wherever we go, from China to Sweden, from the UK to the US, we’re going to create that space.

For those of you who make DreamHack Dallas your yearly trip, I strongly recommend you come out to Atlanta next year and check it out. It’s going to be bigger and better than ever, just like every time before.

Shahin Zarrabi

Vice President, Festivals / DreamHack

ESL FACEIT Group

DreamHack returns to Atlanta

DreamHack — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 16:45:21 +0000

October 22, 2025

DreamHack, the world’s leading gaming lifestyle festival and part of ESL FACEIT Group, will return to Atlanta’s Georgia World Congress Center from Oct. 31–Nov. 2, 2025, marking more DreamHack festivals in Atlanta than any other U.S. city. This 2025 edition will be the biggest DreamHack Atlanta yet, bringing America’s largest Halloween costume contest with $20K in prizes; more than 20 esports tournaments, including 7 world championship titles; over 1000 guests include more than 30 voice actors and hololive VTuber Group; a special Student Friday; as well as concerts, cosplay competition, indie games, LAN parties, and all-ages entertainment, all under one roof.

DreamHack Atlanta closes the annual Games Week Georgia (Oct. 29-31), which celebrates the video game and esports industry in Georgia. The event brings together gaming leaders and experts from around the world for a week of business, networking and professional development events, culminating with DreamHack Atlanta. Atlanta’s role in the gaming industry continues to surge, supported by a thriving creator economy, esports organizations, game studios, and fan communities.

“Atlanta has become the beating heart of DreamHack in the United States — a city with a gaming community as vibrant, diverse, and passionate as the festival itself,” said Shahin Zarrabi, VP, Festivals, ESL FACEIT Group. “DreamHack shattered global records in 2024, and Atlanta has been central to that growth. We’re thrilled to return to Atlanta — a place where every gamer, fan, and creator can truly belong.”

DreamHack Atlanta is part of ESL FACEIT Group’s 2025 global festival tour spanning three continents, closing the year alongside DreamHack Stockholm and DreamHack Hyderabad.

AMERICA’S LARGEST HALLOWEEN COSTUME CONTEST

From the largest Halloween Costume Carnival Contest in the U.S. to on-site trick-or-treating, quests, wicked activations, and creator surprises, the festival floor becomes a haunted playground. Come to compete, show off your costumes, or just soak up the atmosphere.

America’s largest Halloween Costume Contest — $20,000 prize pool on the main stage, judged by celebrity guests. Open to anyone!
GeoGuessr Halloween Showdown — Pros Radu and zi8gzag face off at the Main Stage in a high-stakes map showdown that’s equal parts spooky, strategic, and unpredictable.
Trick-or-Treat around the festival — find candy stations and collect goodies.

$6.6 MILLION IN ESPORTS COMPETITIONS*

DreamHack Atlanta will host more than 20 esports tournaments, including 7 world championship titles, with a nearly $6.6 million prize pool across competitions including:

SNK World Championship ($4.1 million in prizing)

- - Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves ($2.5 million)
  - King of Fighters XV ($1 million)
  - Samurai Shodown ($500k)
  - Art of Fighting 3 ($100k)

MARVEL RIVALS: Ignite Grand Finals ($1 million in prizing)

Clash of Clans World Championship Finals ($700k in prizing)

Clash Royale League World Finals ($500k in prizing)

- EA Sports FC 26: FC Pro Open ($152K in prizing)
- DreamHack Fighting Games ($28K in prizing)

EA Sports College Football 26: CFB26 DreamHack Challenge ($25,000 prizing)

Rainbow 6 Siege X Atlanta ($10,000 prizing)

DreamHack Knockout (Winner qualifies to ESL Pro League Season 23; $10,000 split among the top four placements)

Collegiate DreamHack Invitational ($1,000 in prizing)

*See all esports competition details HERE.

ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCES

In addition to esports and Halloween events, DreamHack Atlanta will also feature:

- Creator Hub + Main Stage experiences with over 1000 special guests, including more than 30 voice actors.

hololive VTuber Group

- hololive English brings a weekend of live chaos and fun when Takanashi Kiara, Koseki Bijou, Gigi Murin, Mori Calliope, and Elizabeth Rose Bloodflame take the Main Stage for special Halloween gaming and D&D moments.
Student Friday — Student Friday is an all-access entry into the world of gaming, esports, creators, and energy — all for a student-only discounted price (educators are free). The day includes:
- DreamHack Collegiate Invitational — Rocket League and Valorant teams from schools across the country battle for glory.
- SIEGE College Fair — Explore college programs in game design, esports, animation, and tech. Meet schools, talk to advisors, and find your next step in gaming and education.
- Student Panels — Learn from pros and industry voices. Careers in esports, content creation, game dev, streaming — real conversations designed for students like you.
Cosplay Competition — including the DreamHack Cosplay Championship.
The largest Artist Alley in DreamHack history.
Massive Indie Playground for new and upcoming gaming titles.
Freeplay— Stacked with games across arcade, console, and PC, this area is all set up and ready for attendees to jump in and play casually or explore something new, including:
- 2XKO First Impact
- $30K+ in prizing for FGC tournaments
- $5K Wildcard Release Tournament
- $10K DreamHack Knock Out – CS2

Exhibitors

Partners play a crucial role in shaping the on-site experience through hosting tournaments, offering activities, and showcasing the newest products. Highlights at DreamHack Atlanta include:

DHL, Official Partner: Visitors can snap photos with the beloved robot mascot, CARGO, at the DHL photo booth, play the new EffiBOT mobile game for a chance to win $2,300, and explore global career opportunities at DHL.
KICK, Official Partner: Attendees can connect with their favorite creators IRL including one of the world’s most-watched streamers xQc, attend industry Q&A panels presented by KICK staff, access limited-edition merch, and more at the KICK Stage.
Zenni, Official Partner: As the official eyewear partner of DreamHack, attendees can explore the latest ESL and DreamHack eyewear collections from Zenni Optical at the DreamHack merch store, as well as on display throughout the show floor. Attendees can also complete their DreamHack Quest for a chance to win prizes!
Walmart Delivers Lo-fi Play: Attendees can dive into the Walmart Delivers Lo-fi Play experience, play iconic retro video and board games, climb a live leaderboard, snap an 8-bit-style photo, and walk away with a free assortment of Walmart-sold gamer swag.

DreamHack and ESL One: Two Giant Gaming Events. One City. Nothing Like It.

DreamHack — Thu, 18 Sep 2025 13:13:15 +0000

Sept 18, 2025

DreamHack and ESL One, two of the world’s biggest events in gaming and esports, will be coming to Birmingham, UK, in March 2026. DreamHack Birmingham will be the first ever festival held on UK soil in its 20+ year history, bringing together all gaming communities to celebrate games, esports and internet pop culture. Featuring one of the most prestigious esports tournaments, ESL One, returns to the UK for its fourth iteration, with a $1M prize pool, showcasing 16 of the world’s best Dota 2 teams.

“Esports has exploded into one of the fastest-growing parts of our economy. Our arenas are buzzing with global fans and players for events like DreamHack and ESL One,” said Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands. “For us it’s much more than entertainment. Our colleges and universities are full of young talent learning the skills to succeed in this multi-billion-pound industry. And with world-class studios already here, and backing from gaming’s biggest names, we’re making the West Midlands the UK’s number one place to create, watch and play esports.”

“The UK has one of the world’s most passionate gaming communities, yet it’s still underserved when it comes to festivals that unite every part of gaming culture.” said Shahin Zarrabi, VP Festivals at ESL FACEIT Group. “That’s why we’re bringing DreamHack to Birmingham — a city with a proven track record and the perfect stage for our UK debut. We’re here for the long term: to invest, grow, and build something even bigger together with the community.”

“Returning to Birmingham with ESL One is a huge moment for us and the Dota 2 community,” said Álvaro Sánchez Velasco, Product Manager Dota 2 at ESL FACEIT Group. “This year is even more special as we join forces with DreamHack to create a truly unique festival atmosphere. We can’t wait to bring the best of Dota 2 esports to a city that has shown us so much passion over the years we’ve been here.”

The UK has rapidly established itself as one of Europe’s fastest-growing esports markets, with revenues set to hit $250.7 million in 2025 (Statista, 2025) and user numbers projected to reach nearly 24 million by 2029 (Statisa, 2025). Home to nearly 40 million gamers nationwide (Statista, 2024), esports is now both a cultural and economic force in the UK — and DreamHack festivals, which reach over 200,000 visitors globally and tens of millions online, are perfectly positioned to bring this vibrant community together on one stage.

NEC Group hosts DreamHack and ESL One Birmingham 2026

The NEC Birmingham and bp pulse LIVE offer two of the UK’s largest and most versatile event venues, operated by the NEC Group. Conveniently located just minutes from Birmingham Airport, the venues welcome seven million visitors each year to hundreds of live events and trade shows.

“We’re thrilled to welcome ESL One Birmingham back to the NEC and we’re equally excited to host DreamHack for the very first time,” said Ian Taylor, Managing Director of the NEC. “We’re perfectly located for bringing gaming communities together from across the globe, and we can’t wait to host one of the biggest gaming events in the calendar!”

Securing Birmingham as the host city for both DreamHack and ESL One is a huge milestone,” said Bobby Hare, Director Host City Partnerships at ESL FACEIT Group. “Over the past 12 months, the West Midlands Growth Company and the NEC Group have been incredibly supportive partners, and we’re excited to be back in Birmingham. The city’s vibrant gaming community and our shared vision for long-term growth make it the perfect home to deliver unforgettable experiences for UK fans.

DreamHack Birmingham

Dates: March 27 – 29, 2026
Location: National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham, UK
DreamHack is the world’s leading gaming lifestyle festival bringing together all gaming communities to celebrate games and internet pop culture.
Across three days, DreamHack Birmingham will invite fans to explore esports tournaments, cosplay, live music, creators, tabletop games, and so much more, all in one vibrant, community-driven space.
The iconic festival comes to the UK following celebrated stints across the globe, including in Europe, North America and Asia.

ESL One Birmingham

Dates: March 22 – 29, 2026.
Location: bp pulse LIVE in Birmingham, UK.
ESL One is one of the biggest and renowned Dota 2 tournament series that brings together the best teams and players from around the world.
16 teams will compete in a round robin format, with 8-team double-elimination Playoffs.
- The final three days of the competition will take place in front of a live audience.
Last year’s ESL One Birmingham saw a peak viewership of over 327,000. Over 18,000 fans from across the world attended the bp pulse LIVE on the final three days of the tournament, witnessing Team Falcons taking home the trophy.

For additional information, please check out the DreamHack and ESL One Birmingham Press Kit.

Tickets can be purchased starting September 23 at 15:00 BST on dreamhack.com/birmingham and esl-one.com/birmingham.

DreamHack 3-day tickets start at £39.00 during the first two weeks and will be priced from £59.00 thereafter. ESL One guaranteed seating starts at £89.00 for all three days, with add-ons also available.

All DreamHack ticket holders receive full access to all parts of the DreamHack festival experience, including ESL One, though entry to bp pulse LIVE is limited by capacity. Purchasing an ESL One ticket guarantees your seat in the bp pulse LIVE and also grants you full access to DreamHack.

From Underdog to Legend: DreamHack Knockout Paves Way to ESL Pro League

DreamHack — Tue, 17 Jun 2025 13:08:21 +0000

June 17, Atlanta / Stockholm: The world’s leading gaming lifestyle festival DreamHack, a part of ESL FACEIT Group, is thrilled to announce DreamHack Knockout. With this competition, DreamHack Atlanta 2025 and DreamHack Stockholm 2025 offer an open, in-person and direct pathway for every Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) player, whether casual or pro, to earn a spot in the world’s biggest CS2 league: The ESL Pro League (EPL).

“This is what DreamHack is all about, we’re leveling the playing field. Nothing matters except bringing your computer, showing your skill, and rising to fame,” said Shahin Zarrabi, VP Festivals at ESL FACEIT Group. “No bells and whistles, just raw and unfettered competition.”

DreamHack Knockout will feature a $10,000 prize pool at each festival.

DreamHack Atlanta 2025

32 Teams can participate
Oct 31 – Nov 2, 2025
- Grand Final on Sunday, Nov 2, 2025
Winner qualifies for ESL Pro League Season 23
Tickets for DreamHack Atlanta 2025

DreamHack Stockholm 2025

128 Teams can participate
Nov 28 – 30, 2025
- Grand Final on Sunday, Nov 30, 2025
Winner qualifies for ESL Pro League Season 23
Tickets for DreamHack Stockholm 2025

Everyone with a BYOC (Bring Your Own Computer) ticket and an assigned seat within the BYOC area can participate in the DreamHack Knockout tournament. Ticket options include standard BYOC tickets, BYOC 20+ tickets, and team tickets (5+1). The option for a coach to have access is available.

Stay tuned for more news by visiting dreamhack.com/atlanta and dreamhack.com/stockholm or follow DreamHack on X and Instagram. For more assets and information, please see the DreamHack Atlanta Press Kit / DreamHack Stockholm Press Kit.

For more general information on ESL FACEIT Group, visit eslfaceitgroup.com or follow ESL FACEIT Group on LinkedIn.

DreamHack Dallas 2025 by the numbers

DreamHack — Fri, 30 May 2025 09:44:09 +0000

dallas

What did you miss out on this year?

BY THE NUMBERS

DreamHack Dallas marked our most ambitious festival to date, designed to bring gaming communities together through curated content and immersive experiences. With strong support from our partners—spanning publishers, brands, and industry leaders—we delivered the largest DreamHack festival yet.

Attendees on-site over the weekend

1 K+

Hours watched across FACEIT Watch, Kick, YouTube, TikTok, and Twitch

0 M

in prize money won over the weekend

$ 0 M

PCs and consoles available in freeplay zones

Guests and creators attending DreamHack in person

0 +

Exhibitors, local game developers and Artist Alley booths

60,000+

ATTENDEES

DreamHack Dallas welcomed over 60,000 attendees from across the globe.

$ 1000000 +

WON IN PRIZE MONEY Across numerous esports titles

1000000 +

HOURS WATCHED

Over 22 million hours of esports and gaming content watched during the festival through our platforms and channels.

550+ CREATORS

Pushing boundaries like never before

DreamHack Dallas was one of our biggest festivals yet. With our largest creator lineup and fans from around the world, the energy on the show floor showed we brought gaming communities together.

Clix

Nadeshot

BrookeAB

Tyler1

Kson

AmaLee

Alexandra Botez

Andrea Botez

Scump

Brandon Moreno

Hitch

ScottyKFitness

1 million

SQUARE FEET OF GAMING

That's as big as

15 football fields

173 basketball courts

9 IKEA stores

1 legendary gaming festival

Stages filled with esports and gaming content

Exhibitors, local game developers and Artist Alley booths

1 +

PC, console, and VR set-ups in our freeplay zones

expo

OVER 125 DIFFERENT BOOTHS AND ACTIVATIONS

The Expo wasn’t just about the games and merchandise; it was a hub for community connection and brand engagement.

BRANDS

DreamHack welcomes a strong lineup of brands that truly get our gaming audience. Their presence adds real value, delivering content and interactivity that resonate with our community and elevate the overall experience.

Publishers

The best in the industry joined us

DreamHack Dallas had a range of publishers joining our side, using DreamHack as their platform to show their games to the masses!

What to expect

Partner up with us!

At DreamHack, we offer an immersive platform for your brand to connect with a passionate global audience.

Whether you’re looking to secure dedicated floorspace for a custom activation or become part of our signature areas—like Freeplay, Main Stage, or Creator Hub—DreamHack offers the ultimate platform for creative expression. Want to showcase a brand new game to thousands of passionate fans? This is the place to do it. From gameplay demos to esports stages, your content belongs at DreamHack.

Engage with fans both on-site and through our app, sponsor tournaments, or support exclusive content segments. We’ll work with you to craft standout experiences that connect with audiences at festivals around the world. Partner with us and unlock unmatched opportunities to showcase your brand in the dynamic world of DreamHack.

Let's talk

Join us at the next DreamHack festival

contact us

DreamHack Dallas Takes Over Texas with Over 1 Million Square Feet of Nonstop Gaming Action

DreamHack — Tue, 27 May 2025 11:36:53 +0000

DALLAS, TX — May 25 – ESL FACEIT Group (EFG), the leading esports and video game entertainment company, and DreamHack, a leading global gaming lifestyle festival, today announced that DreamHack Dallas welcomed over 62,000 attendees from across the globe to the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center from May 23-25. Blending nostalgic gaming culture with an unmistakable Texas flair, the three-day event saw over 900 special guests, streamers, cosplay icons, and entertainers, and featured the biggest esports programming in DreamHack’s history, with over $2M in prize pools across multiple competitions, generating over 22M in hours watched online. Spotlighting the region’s passionate esports community and creative scene, DreamHack Dallas hosted more than 125 local game developers and artists in the Indie Playground and Artist Alley.

“DreamHack Dallas was one of our most ambitious festivals to date, spanning over 1 million square feet packed with nonstop action,” said Guy Blomberg, Event Director, DreamHack Festivals, Americas. “From our largest creator lineup to fans flying in from across the country, Dallas showed up in full force. We set out to create a space where gaming communities could connect, and the energy on the show floor proved we delivered.”

Up next, DreamHack returns to Atlanta, Georgia from October 31–November 2, bringing its signature blend of gaming and pop culture back to the Southeast. Shortly after, the festival heads to its roots in Stockholm, Sweden from November 28–30 for another unforgettable weekend in the capital. Tickets for both events are now on sale, and starting May 25, the DreamHack Atlanta Flash Sale will offer exclusive three-day tickets for just $59 until June 8.

Esports Highlights

Team Vitality Triumphs at IEM Dallas, Securing 30 Consecutive LAN CS Series Victories
After a week of the world’s best Counter-Strike 2 squads going head to head on the world stage, Team Vitality triumphed over MOUZ 3-0 to claim the Intel® Extreme Masters (IEM) title. This victory marks their milestone of 30 consecutive CS LAN series wins and their 6th straight title. A total of 913,741 viewers tuned in at the event’s peak, highlighting IEM Dallas’s continued resonance with fans around the world.

Group Stage
The Group Stage took place from May 19 to 21, featuring two groups of eight teams each. The format saw the top two teams from the upper bracket and the top team from the lower bracket in each group advance to the Playoffs. In Group A, Team Vitality delivered a commanding performance to top the upper bracket, with The MongolZ securing the second spot. GamerLegion fought their way through the lower bracket to claim the final Playoff spot. Group B witnessed a standout run from Aurora Esports, who defeated HEROIC in the lower bracket final to punch their ticket to the next stage. Meanwhile, MOUZ and Team Falcons locked in their spots from the upper bracket, rounding out the Playoff lineup.

Playoffs
The final stage of the tournament kicked off on Friday, May 23, with a thrilling quarterfinal showdown between Team Falcons and GamerLegion. Both teams delivered a hard-fought battle, but it was Team Falcon’s teamwork that gave them the edge, clinching a 2-1 victory and their place in the semifinals. The second quarterfinal was The MongolZ against Aurora. The MongolZ dominated every map, earning themselves a score of 2-0.

Saturday, May 24, saw the semifinals take place, with the top two teams from the Group Stage up against the quarterfinal winners. MOUZ proved themselves against The MongolZ as they secured their seat in the Grand Final with a flawless 2-0 score, and Vitality won against Team Falcons in a tight match, 2-1.

The grand final of IEM Dallas 2025 saw a familiar rivalry reignited as MOUZ and Team Vitality faced off in their fourth high-stakes final. The series opened on Dust2, Vitality’s pick, where they edged out a narrow 13-11 win in a tightly contested map. On Mirage, MOUZ’s chosen battleground, Vitality once again asserted their dominance with a 13-9 victory. The final map, Inferno, also went the way of Vitality, who closed out the series 13-8, marking their 30th consecutive win. With a commanding 3-0 sweep, Team Vitality not only secured the championship title but also claimed the lion’s share of the $1M total winnings.

FURIA Makes History by dethroning the undefeated champions in the Season 7 Dallas Finals
ESL Impact Season 7 saw some ground-breaking moments as Imperial’s dynasty came to an end with FURIA being crowned the new ESL Impact Champions. For the first time in the history of ESL Impact, the Grand Final was played out in front of a roaring crowd in the IEM arena of Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center. After beating top women’s squads, it was FURIA that secured a hard-fought 2-1 comeback win over Supernova Comets in the Grand Final. After dropping the first map, FURIA rallied on Overpass and Mirage to secure the series and take home the largest share of the $123,000 prize pool.

LAThieves Hoists the Call of Duty League Major IV Trophy in Front of a Full Crowd
DreamHack Dallas saw three days of the Call of Duty Major IV competition as 12 teams battled to earn valuable CDL points to qualify for the 2025 Call of Duty® League Championship later this year. After a hard-fought battle, LAThieves won over Atlanta FaZe 4-2 to claim the title in front of a packed crowd making this a back-to-back win for LAThieves.

The Halo Championship Series Esports Breaks Records
The Halo Championship Series (HCS) brought a valuable opportunity for established pros and rising stars to earn their share of the $150,000 grand prize in addition to valuable pro points. After a weekend of intense competition, OpTic Gaming triumphed over FaZe Clan 4:1 in an exciting Grand Final.

History was also made at DreamHack Dallas this year, Allyson “commandstation” Annelle was the first woman to ever win an official Halo HCS Free-For-All tournament on LAN.

ENVY Secures the NA Ticket to Red Bull Home Ground’s Main Event
Red Bull Home Ground US Qualifier offered VALORANT players an opportunity to showcase their skills. The qualifier took place in front of a big crowd on the Main Stage in a best-of-three series. ENVY rose to the occasion on their home turf, who dominated Maryville University with a 2-0 victory. This secured their place as North America’s representative at the Red Bull Home Ground Main Event.

Road to EWC: Chess and StarCraft 2
A three-day, fully open chess tournament at DreamHack Dallas 2025 saw players who competed for a $20,000 prize pool, as well as flights and a hotel to Riyadh for the Last Chance Qualifiers, for a shot to play on the $1,5M Esports World Cup stage Qualifiers.

First: Oleksandr Bortnyk
Second: Alexey Sarana
Third: Aravindh Chithambaram
Fourth: Andrew Tang

Another three-day, open-format tournament was StarCraft 2, featuring players from around the world competing for a $50,000 prize pool and four qualification spots for the Esports World Cup. Qualified players included:

First: Cho “Maru” Seong-ju
Second: Kang “Solar” Min-soo
Third – Fourth:
- Shin “SHIN” Hee-beom
- Kim “Classic” Doh-woo

Brawl Cup
The premiere official Brawl esports event in North America brought eight of the world’s top teams to Dallas, competing over three days to secure an additional World Finals or Last Chance Qualifier spot for their home region.

HMBLE placed first and unlocked a World Finals Qualification Slot for EMEA
SK Gaming placed second and unlocked a spot in the Last Chance Qualifiers for EMEA
ZETA DIVISION placed third and unlocked a spot in the Last Chance for Qualifiers for East Asia

The GeoGuessr Major Hits the US Soil for the First Time Ever
The GeoGuessr Americas Major took place at DreamHack Dallas, where the top six players from the Americas competed for a share of the $17,500 prize pool. Results are as follows:

First: Radu C
Second: MK
Third: Moo
Fourth: Fau
Fifth – Sixth: Gingey & Orlando

This victory solidifies Radu C’s position as one of the top GeoGuessr players in the Americas, following his strong performance in the World League earlier this year.

Expo Highlights

DreamHack’s Main Stage: Dungeons and Drag Queens, and more.
The Main Stage at DreamHack Dallas featured a range of gaming fandoms and celebrity guests throughout the weekend, including:

TikTok stars A.J. & Big Justice took to the stage and hosted their BOOM or DOOM talent show.
Dungeons and Dragons leveled up to Dungeons and Drag Queens, led by the Dungeon Master and comedian Paul Curry.
The Overwatch 2 Stadium Showdown brought together top Overwatch creators and high-performing DreamHack attendees for a live competition, following open qualifiers held in the on-site Free Play area.

World of Warcraft: OnlyFang’s Live Raid
OnlyFangs, a WoW Classic Hardcore guild made up of top-tier content creators, brought the Hardcore grind to Dallas. Amid the excitement, TonkaTonk (Tyler1), who had previously fallen in battle, was resurrected when the WoW gods granted Tyler1 a one-day reprieve to join the OnlyFangs raid on Blackwing Lair.

Cosplay Takes Center Stage as DreamHack’s Most Iconic Characters Come to Life
DreamHack Dallas once again showcased the vibrant creativity of its community through its highly anticipated Cosplay Contest. Participants wowed the crowd with intricately crafted costumes inspired by video games, anime, and pop culture favorites.

For more images and assets from DreamHack Dallas, click HERE. For more information on ESL FACEIT Group, visit eslfaceitgroup.com and follow EFG on LinkedIn.

THE FINALS Major at DreamHack Stockholm

DreamHack — Tue, 20 May 2025 15:58:55 +0000

THE FINALS takes over DreamHack Stockholm with a grand Major tournament

When THE FINALS launched in 2023, it was a huge success with millions of players globally. Now the developer, Swedish basedEmbark Studios, is taking the next step. When the world’s largest gaming festival, DreamHack, part of the ESL FACEIT Group, comes to Stockholm on November 28-30, the first ever Major tournament will also be held in THE FINALS.

The high-paced and critically acclaimed game THE FINALS will host its first major international tournament at DreamHack Stockholm in November this year. A total of 16 teams from three regions – North America (NA), Europe, Middle East, Africa (EMEA) and Asia-Pacific (APAC) – will compete for the first world championship title and the $100,000 prize pool.

“We are incredibly excited that THE FINALS’ first major tournament will be held at DreamHack Stockholm. Embark Studios is a Swedish game studio and it feels great that DreamHack can continue to act as a global showcase for the Swedish gaming culture and its actors”, says Andreas Jernberg, Managing Director of EFG Nordics.

Swedish-developed THE FINALS has been a success since its launch in 2023. In just two weeksit attracted over ten million players globally and was awarded at the 2024 D.I.C.E. Awards with nominations in the categories “Online Game of the Year” and “Outstanding Technical Achievement”.

“We are ready and proud. THE FINALS is designed for competition at the highest level and made for the “big stage”. It feels only natural that we are organizing our first major tournament in our hometown where we drive development”, says Oscar Lundberg, Community Lead at Embark Studios.

The qualification process begins in early September. The top 16 teams in each region then advance to closed qualifiers that will be broadcasted live. It all culminates in November at the THE FINALS Major at DreamHack Stockholm, where the world’s 16 best teams compete for a $100,000 prize pool.

For more information, visit dreamhack.com/stockholm and follow DreamHack on X and Instagram.