Copyright InvenGlobal
DreamHack will bring two of esports’ biggest tournaments to Atlanta next year, as the gaming festival returns to the Georgia World Congress Center from May 15–17, 2026. Organizers announced that DreamHack Atlanta 2026 will include the city’s first Call of Duty League Major and the debut of Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) Atlanta, expanding the city’s growing presence in competitive gaming. Tickets are available now at the event’s official website. The announcement follows the conclusion of DreamHack Atlanta 2025, which drew nearly 40,000 attendees this past weekend — its largest turnout in the city to date and its seventh edition in Atlanta. Fans from all 50 U.S. states and 61 countries attended. Shahin Zarrabi, vice president of festivals for ESL FACEIT Group, described the 2026 show as the most ambitious DreamHack yet, calling Atlanta a natural home for the brand in the United States. City officials appeared alongside organizers in the reveal video to highlight Atlanta’s rising profile in esports and live entertainment. The Biggest DreamHack Ever Is Coming to Georgia in 2026, Headlined by Atlanta’s First-Ever Call of Duty League® Major and Intel® Extreme Masters The 2026 festival arrives at a major moment for the region, coming just weeks before Atlanta hosts FIFA World Cup matches in June. DreamHack Atlanta 2026 is positioned as a centerpiece for Georgia’s gaming and esports community, with a full slate of tournaments, live shows, cosplay, creator programming, and a massive expo. Call of Duty League Major III will bring all 12 CDL teams to Atlanta as they compete for critical points ahead of the 2026 Championship Weekend in Las Vegas. The event follows Major II, set for DreamHack’s first U.K. festival in Birmingham earlier that year. IEM’s first appearance in Atlanta will feature top international Counter-Strike 2 teams competing for a share of more than $1 million and an IEM trophy, as well as progress toward the ESL Grand Slam bonus. Beyond esports, DreamHack will feature open gaming areas, arcade and indie game showcases, celebrity creator appearances, family-friendly programming, and community-run activities. DreamHack officials said the 2025 festival energized the city with more than 20 tournaments and multiple world championship finals, signaling strong demand for expanded offerings in 2026.
