Gear up, gamers: The Peach State’s premier digital festival is set to invade downtown this Halloween weekend. DreamHack Atlanta 2025, the world’s largest gaming and esports celebration, returns to the Georgia World Congress Center from Friday, October 31, through Sunday, November 2.
With a spooky twist on its signature high-energy vibe, the three-day event promises non-stop action for attendees of all ages, blending world-class competitions, creator meetups, and family-friendly fun under one massive roof.
DreamHack Atlanta: What To Know Before You Go
Now in its latest iteration, DreamHack has become a staple on Atlanta’s event calendar since its U.S. debut here in 2017.
Organized by ESL FACEIT Group, the festival transforms the Georgia World Congress Center (285 Andrew Young International Blvd. NW) into a sprawling playground of pixels and prizes, drawing tens of thousands of visitors from across the globe.
This year’s edition coincides perfectly with All Hallows’ Eve, turning the expo floor into a haunted hotspot complete with trick-or-treating quests, eerie photo ops, and America’s largest Halloween Costume Contest boasting over $20,000 in prizes.
At the heart of the action are the esports arenas, where elite players will vie for glory in a lineup of high-stakes tournaments totaling more than $1 million in prize pools.
DreamHack: What To Expect
Highlights include the Marvel Rivals Ignite Grand Finals, capping off the game’s inaugural competitive season with a whopping $1 million up for grabs as top teams clash on the main stage.
Fans of mobile strategy won’t want to miss the Clash of Clans World Championship Finals and Clash Royale League World Finals, both making their grand finale appearances in the ATL.
Fighting game enthusiasts can catch the SNK World Championship 2025, crowning the global No. 1 in titles like The King of Fighters XV and the hotly anticipated Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves.
Other can’t-miss matchups feature the DreamHack Knockout for Counter-Strike 2 ($10,000 prize pool, with a shot at ESL Pro League Season 23 qualification), Rainbow Six Siege X (an eight-team showdown for another $10,000), and the massive EA Sports College Football 26 DreamHack Challenge – a single-elimination bracket for 512 players channeling HBCU and SEC rivalries.
Collegiate gamers get their spotlight too, with the second annual DreamHack Collegiate Invitational spanning Valorant and Rocket League.Beyond the brackets, DreamHack Atlanta pulses with interactive energy.
The BYOC LAN zone lets you bring your rig (or console) for endless multiplayer marathons, while the Indie Playground spotlights up-and-coming developers with hands-on demos and audience-voted awards.
Over 100 artists flood Artist Alley with prints, merch, and custom commissions, and the Creator Hub hosts “DreamHack Together!” socials for forging lifelong squadmates.For the cosplay crowd – and who isn’t one during Halloween? – expect epic gatherings, maker workshops, and streamer collabs in the dedicated Cosplay Corner.
The Main Stage amps up with panels like the Hololive English Meet, featuring VTubers Takanashi Kiara, Koseki Bijou, Gigi Murin, Mori Calliope, and Elizabeth Rose Bloodflame for a mix of gaming chats, D&D antics, and seasonal scares.
Don’t sleep on the Geo Guessr Halloween Showdown or the Stream Studio takeovers by Call of Duty and Arc Raiders influencers.
And for aspiring devs, SIEGE – the South’s leading game development conference – runs for one day, blending education with innovation right here in Atlanta’s tech hub.From a local lens, DreamHack isn’t just a con; it’s an economic booster injecting excitement (and dollars) into downtown.
Expect packed sidewalks around the GWCC, with nearby spots like Hudson Grille and Ruth’s Chris Steak House primed for post-gaming feasts just a short stroll away.
The event’s family-friendly bent shines through with accessible activities – think VR Freeplay challenges and “Quest” missions turning the festival into a live-action video game – making it ideal for introducing kids to esports without the intensity. MARTA’s nearby stations and ample parking keep logistics smooth for out-of-towners and locals alike.
How To Get Tickets
Tickets start at $74 for single-day passes, with three-day options available via Tixr – but act fast, as Halloween hype could sell out fast.
tixr.com Doors open daily at 10 a.m., running until 8 p.m., all in Central Time.Whether you’re a pro hopeful, a casual cosplayer, or just chasing that next-level adrenaline, DreamHack Atlanta 2025 is primed to level up the city’s weekend.
Play louder, Atlanta – the respawn is now. For more details and to snag your spot, head to dreamhack.com/atlanta.
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