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Melbourne secures major gaming festival in multi-year deal

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Melbourne secures major gaming festival in multi-year deal
Melbourne will host gaming event DreamHack until 2028.

The international event launched an Australian version in 2022 at Melbourne and Olympic Parks, which saw 21,000 people attend.

The event has remained at Melbourne Park, with its 2024 edition set to be delivered at the end of next month. Tickets went on sale today.

The deal to keep the festival in Melbourne for five years was the result of a collaboration between Visit Victoria, event owner ESL FACEIT Group and event promoter TEG Live.

“We’re thrilled with the support of the Victorian Government, through Visit Victoria, that has been vital in securing another five years of DreamHack Melbourne,” said Nick Vanzetti, senior vice president and managing director of ESL FACEIT Group for Asia Pacific and Japan

“The scale and duration of this long-term partnership illustrates the Victorian Government’s commitment to support our growing industry, and cements Melbourne as the premier destination for international gaming and esports events in Australia for years to come.”

Melbourne already hosts the long-running PAX Australia, another gaming event, in addition to Melbourne International Games Week, which includes Games Connect Asia Pacific, for those who work in the gaming industry.

Gaming has become a priority sector in other destinations too, including both Christchurch and Wellington in New Zealand. Wellington inked a multi-year deal with the New Zealand Game Developers Association in late 2021 for the association to anchor its event in the city, expand its content and grow its audience.

“We’re thrilled to secure DreamHack in Melbourne for the next five years because it brings tens of thousands of gaming and esports fans from around the world into the city to enjoy our unique hospitality, energy and atmosphere,” said Victoria’s tourism and major events minister, Steve Dimopoulos.

“DreamHack is a global digital games brand and is another addition to our blockbuster calendar of major events for Victoria in the coming years.”