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DreamHack Debuts in Shanghai in 2025

Tit Krajnik

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Last updated: 15 Jan 2025

Tit Krajnik 15 Jan 2025

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ESL FACEIT Group has announced that DreamHack heads to Shanghai in 2025
It will mark the first time that the gaming event will be held in China
DreamHack Shanghai 2025 will coincide with the Asian Champions League

DreamHack Debuts in Shanghai (credit: via eslfaceitgroup)

ESL FACEIT Group has announced DreamHack Shanghai 2025, revealing that its gaming event will head to China for the first time. The event will coincide with Hero Esports' Asian Champions League which will take place in the city the same weekend.

Both events will feature top-tier esports competitions as well as guest influencers, a DreamHack expo floor, a Community Playground, and more.

"DreamHack Shanghai is an opportunity for us to build something totally new in the market," said VP of ESL FACEIT Group, Shahin Zarrabi.

As we have done with DreamHack in North America, Europe and now in China, we want to create a place where gamers can play, compete, and connect in an entirely new environment than what they're used to. Alongside the Asian Champions League, we're excited to take over Shanghai in a celebration of the region's gaming community.

One of ESL FACEIT Group's biggest events, DreamHack, has, since its inception, been held across Europe and North America, yet it has never stepped foot in China. Its debut in China, however, comes as no surprise, as the country has been heavily investing in esports events of late.

In 2024, China hosted several major esports events, including League of Legends Md-Season Invitational and Intel Extreme Masters Shanghai 2024. More big events are scheduled for 2025, too, including the LoL World Championship 2025.

Joining the list of Big Events hosted in China is the Asian Champions League, which is a multi-title esports competition featuring teams from across Asia, including squads who compete in Dota 2, Honor of Kings, Counter-Strike 2, Teamfight Tactics, Delta Force, and CrossFire.

"Pairing the first-ever Asian Champions League with the debut of DreamHack Shanghai sets a new standard for esports and gaming experiences in Asia", said Jonny Xinyi Wang, ACL Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of Hero Esports.

"With China as a global hub for gaming and home to hundreds of millions of passionate players, taking over Shanghai with both events creates an unmissable moment for the community. This is a celebration where fans of every genre can unite to celebrate their love for gaming—on the stage, on the show floor, and create lifelong memories together."

DreamHack Shanghai 2025 is set to take place on May 16-18, 2025.