ATLANTA / STOCKHOLM — May 4, 2026 — DreamHack, the world’s leading gaming lifestyle festival and part of ESL FACEIT Group, has announced a robust esports lineup for DreamHack Atlanta 2026, taking place May 15–17 at the Georgia World Congress Center. With more than $1.4 million in total prizing, DreamHack Atlanta will bring together the world’s top professional esports players alongside rising competitors across multiple titles. Across all competitions, hundreds of players will compete throughout the weekend, positioning Atlanta as a leading destination for top-tier esports competitions.
As the only DreamHack Festival in the United States in 2026, Atlanta becomes a key destination for international competition, drawing players, teams, and fans from around the world. From top-tier professional leagues to open competition, the event brings together every level of play in one weekend, reinforcing Atlanta’s role in the global esports landscape.
Now in its eighth year in Atlanta — more than any other U.S. city — DreamHack continues to draw a global audience, with the 2025 festival welcoming attendees from all 50 states and 61 countries.
Tier-One Global Competition Takes Center Stage
The weekend is anchored by two of the industry’s most prestigious competitive circuits — the Call of Duty League® and Intel® Extreme Masters (IEM) — bringing tier-one global esports competition to Atlanta for the first time at this scale.
DreamHack Atlanta will host Call of Duty League® Major III, bringing all 12 professional teams — plus amateur Challengers — to compete for key points toward the 2026 Call of Duty League® Championship and prize pool. As a pivotal mid-season stop, Major III will play a critical role in shaping the CDL standings and postseason qualification.
Call of Duty®: Warzone Resurgence Series will bring top battle royale players together to compete in person, with the fast-paced Resurgence format delivering continuous, high-intensity gameplay for both competitors and spectators.
IEM Atlanta will mark the debut of one of the world’s premier Counter-Strike 2 tournaments in the Southeast, as elite international teams compete for the coveted title, and critical progress toward the ESL Grand Slam. The final stages of competition will be played in front of a live audience, delivering arena-level Counter-Strike to fans in the U.S.
Additional Competition Expands the Global Esports Field
Beyond its headline tournaments, DreamHack Atlanta will feature a wide range of competitive play across multiple titles and formats.
DreamHack Open ft. Halo
Featuring a blended open and pro format, offering amateur, semi-professional players, and the community a chance to get together and play in one of esports’ most iconic franchises. The event includes a focus on Halo Infinite with a 4v4 tournament alongside various side tournaments in Halo Infinite, Halo 5 and Halo 3 with prizing for grabs.
Road to the Esports World Cup 2026
DreamHack Atlanta will also serve as an official qualifying stop for the Esports World Cup 2026 (EWC) hosting tournaments across Street Fighter 6, TEKKEN 8, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, and Chess. Each feature qualification spots awarded to the top finishers — two in Street Fighter 6, three in TEKKEN 8, and four each in Fatal Fury and Chess — securing their place at the EWC 2026 in Riyadh. Alongside these, the Call of Duty®: Warzone Resurgence Series will take place from May 16-17, where the top five teams secure qualification to the EWC Warzone Championship.
Collegiate Esports Competitions
DreamHack Atlanta will bring together top university teams from across North America to compete on a national stage, highlighting the continued growth of collegiate esports as a pathway to professional competition.
Georgia-based programs include: Georgia Institute of Technology, Kennesaw State University, and the University of West Georgia.
Additional teams from across the U.S. and Canada include: Brewton-Parker Christian University, Conestoga College, Daytona State College, Fisher College, The University of Akron, University of Missouri, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Waukesha County Technical College, and Winthrop University.
Open Tournaments and Community Competition
DreamHack’s legacy of accessible competition continues with open and community-driven tournaments across multiple titles and genres, including the Fighting Game Community (FGC), which features titles including: Street Fighter 6, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, and Tekken 8. Also included will be chess alongside a range of casual tournaments held throughout the weekend.
These open tournaments give players of all skill levels a chance to compete and test themselves against top talent, reflecting the grassroots, community-driven nature of fighting game esports. Fans can experience high-energy matches live across multiple stages throughout the venue, where rising players and established competitors compete side by side. Together, these competitions highlight the full spectrum of esports from global professional leagues, to grassroots community play.
2026 DreamHack Atlanta Festival Experience
May 15–17, 2026
Georgia World Congress Center — Atlanta, GA, U.S.
Tickets are on sale now at dreamhack.com/atlanta/tickets
