Your Guide to DreamHack Atlanta, A Gaming Lifestyle Festival

During the weekend, almost $2 million will be up for grabs at the professional esport tournaments happening at DreamHack Atlanta.

Courtesy of DreamHack Atlanta

Game enthusiasts, professional players and skilled cosplayers will be coming out to DreamHack Atlanta this weekend.

The worldwide gaming lifestyle festival is slated to make a stop in the city from Nov. 16 to 18 at the Georgia World Congress Center, 285 Andrew Young International Blvd. NW, Atlanta.

Todd Harris, co-founder and COO of Hi-Rez Studios and president of Skillshot Media, is expecting around 20,000 to attend the combined Hi-Rez Expo and DreamHack Atlanta festival since last year about 25,000 attended DreamHack.



“I think if they [attendees] will go, they will see the passion of the fans that are really into and that gaming is more than just a hobby. It’s more like a lifestyle and passion for a lot of people,” Harris said. “This is a great event where developers and fans and really good players all get together in one area.”

During the weekend, almost $2 million will be up for grabs at the professional esport tournaments, including Hi-Rez Expo‘s $1 million SMITE World Championship and Paladins World Championship for $300,000. College and high school esport challenges will also be happening at the event on the Main stage.

The festival, that will feature panels and meet-and-greets, also coincides with the first-ever Esports Week Atlanta, which will give business executives an experiential look into the booming local esports scene from Nov. 14 to 18.

Here’s what to expect from the event-filled, highly-anticipated DreamHack Atlanta festival.

There will be plenty of entertainment.

On Friday, EDM acts Riot, Slushii and Kill the Noise will be performing. Then on Saturday, Atlanta-native London on da Track will be taking the stage, along with hip-hop artist Mick Jenkins.

Screenings of sci-fi, fantasy and horror films, such as “Slice,” will be shown at the event. Also, sure to check out the schedules for the live esport matches online to watch the action.

Thousands of dollars in cash prizes will be awarded to cosplay contest winners at DreamHack Atlanta. Photo courtesy of DreamHack Atlanta.

Watch cosplayers compete for cash prizes.

Expect to be wowed at the two cosplay contests happening on Saturday. At the 5th Annual Cosplay Contest, contestants will be battling for prizes that will total $15,000, with the first place prize being $5,000. The contest kicks off on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at the Hi-Rez Expo.

Then later on, during the day cosplayers will take the main stage at 6 p.m. for the $2,500 DreamHack Cosplay Championship.

There will be around 20 art exhibitors at DreamHack Atlanta this year. Photo courtesy of DreamHack Atlanta

Check out game art on Artist Alley.

More than 20 vendors selling products ranging from decor to gifts will be opening up shop at DreamHack’s Artist Alley. Maxx Merch, who sells charms and enamel pins, and Viverne Graphics, who is a poster maker, are a few of the sellers.

Get tickets in advance.

If attendees plan on bringing their own computer or console, BYOC tickets are available for $115 and include 24-hour access for all three days to the event, an Ethernet port, power socket and a place to secure a spot in the seat map.

A three-day general admission pass to the event is $74 and includes all-day access to the event’s multiple areas. Day passes for Friday, Saturday and Sunday are also available for purchase for $30.

Know where to park.

More than five parking lots surround the Georgia World Congress Center. Visit the Georgia World Congress Center’s website for more information.