Copenhagen all set to host new international gaming and Esports festival

Whether you're a product of pixelated arcade games, a character-painting enthusiast in your basement, a neighborly card-swapper, or someone who thrives on the adrenaline of online battles, today's news demands your attention. It's official: The inaugural Copenhagen Gaming Week is slated for January 2024.

Copenhagen Gaming Week is Denmark's new, epic, and international festival encompassing everything related to gaming and esports. Visitors of all ages can explore the tech of the future, delve into the hottest trends of the present, and celebrate the retro-gaming classics of the past, all while fostering and expanding a unique community with others who share the same passion.

"In the broader population, there's a tendency to equate gaming with esports. But the structured, competition-driven gaming that we call esports – which also forms a central part of Copenhagen Gaming Week – is just the tip of a massive iceberg. Beneath the surface lies a world of passionate communities. It's people who engage in cosplay, collect football cards, or play games on their phones purely for fun. We want to celebrate and provide a meeting place for them and many, many more," says Kevin Helsinghof, Commercial Director for Bella Arena and Bella Center Copenhagen.

Copenhagen Gaming Week aims to become a beacon

While Bellagroup, with Bella Arena and Bella Center Copenhagen, provides the stage for Copenhagen Gaming Week, Jakob Lund Kristensen from Blackbox Media heads a team that sources and curates content for this new mega-event. Jakob has previously founded the world-renowned Danish esports sensation Astralis, as well as the globally recognized tournament and media platform BLAST. However, with Copenhagen Gaming Week, something entirely new is at stake:

"Denmark has achieved a unique position in the global gaming industry over the past many years, primarily due to strong flagship companies centered around the competitive aspect of gaming. We now have a unique opportunity to create an entirely new focal point that extends far beyond esports with the potential of truly putting Denmark on the map in a much broader sense. We hope that Copenhagen Gaming Week can become a catalyst and contribute to emphasizing Copenhagen's international position as a gaming capital," emphasizes Jakob Lund Kristensen.

Positioning Copenhagen as a gaming destination

Branding Copenhagen as a gaming destination has been a high priority for Wonderful Copenhagen, the capital tourism organization, which has been the primary development partner for Copenhagen Gaming Week side by side with Bellagroup since 2019. Communications Director at Wonderful Copenhagen, Rikke Holm Petersen, states:

"Gaming and esports have become one of the world's most significant arenas for culture, sport, and entertainment, and offers a powerful platform to showcase the Danish capital internationally. By strategically scheduling Copenhagen Gaming Week during a time when the city has fewer visitors, it also contributes to our goal of nurturing a more sustainable tourist destination, where hype and interest is spread throughout the year."

Four unique “worlds” await

Copenhagen Gaming Week is meticulously crafted around four distinctive realms, each tailored to different core segments of the community while simoultanously offering new experiences across the board for guests in January:

• Esports Arena: An adrenaline-pumping pressure cooker where thousands of participants will witness renowned CS:GO top teams in intense battles against global challengers. The tournament's plays out all three days with the Grand Final scheduled for Sunday.
  
  
• Urban & Sport: A crossroads for virtual gaming champions and globally recognized brands, converging physical sports, fashion, music, streaming, and pop culture. Discover the latest tech trends, challenge friends on indoor street courts, and engage with innovative creators.
  
  
• Superfans: Gaming is not just a hobby; it's a deeply rooted and passionate community. In the SUPERFANS world, you can geek out completely, trade cards, participate in epic battles, showcase iconic character costumes, and connect with new and old friends.
  
  
• New Generation: Where young and upcoming gamers get the opportunity to experience the wonderful universes of games in a meaningful and safe environment with a focus on play, learning, emotions, and physical activity driven by beloved characters and brand-new titles.

In addition to the four worlds, Copenhagen Gaming Week, through various organizational partnerships, will facilitate a range of talks on topics such as health, equality, and online behavior in gaming, as well as access to knowledge and support for young people who wish to explore the possibilities of education and a future in the field.

Facts about Copenhagen Gaming Week:

• The inaugural event takes place at Bella Arena and Bella Center Copenhagen from January 12th to 14th, 2024.
  
  
• Developed in a partnership between Bellagroup, Wonderful Copenhagen, and Blackbox Media.
  
  
• A recurring event, which will be developed year by year and eventually span multiple days, involving more stakeholders and areas in the Danish capital.
  
  
• For the first 2024 edition, the goal is 15,000 visitors, primarily expected to come from Denmark and Sweden. The ratio of international visitors is targeted to grow from there.
  
  
• Copenhagen Gaming Week is supported by the Capital Region of Denmark and the City of Copenhagen.
  
  
• A portion of the support is earmarked for activating the city's children and youth, as well as a talent attraction program spearheaded by Copenhagen Capacity.
  
  
• Tickets go on sale on Thursday, August 31st, at 09 AM via www.copenhagengamingweek.dk