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DreamHack and Stockholm Globe Arenas launch strategic partnership – Aims to make Stockholm the eSports capital of Europe

E-sport is one of the fastest growing event categories. All around the world , major championships are held in front of large audiences, both online as well as in arenas. In Europe, Sweden is Dreamhack leading organizer and has a position as a world leader in this industry. Now the Stockholm Globe Arenas and DreamHack have signed a strategic cooperation agreement which aims to take popular sport to new heights and position Stockholm as the eSports capital of Europe.

- We think that it is very exciting with all new types of events that we see rushing to the world of arenas. Since eSport already has a large fan base in Sweden, we believe that Stockholm and our arenas can become a hub for eSports in the future. Here in Stockholm we have some of the world’s leading game developers and the city has a strong IT profile. DreamHack is a wonderful partner who is at the forefront of eSports and have proven they know how to organize successful events, says Ninna Engberg, CEO of Stockholm Globe Arenas

The first event is takes place on April 22 as DreamHack Eizo Open comes to the Annex. The show will have some of the absolute Starcraft elite, who will compete for a total of SEK 150 000 as well as slots in the Grand Final at DreamHack Winter this November. More eSports events of various kinds are being planned and the goal is to hold 2-3 events per year. International players and profiles from around the world will attract large audiences. The goal is to ramp up in order to organize the largest eSports event in Sweden as the Stockholmsarena opens in 2013.

- The eSports audience is growing fast and the demand for pure eSports shows are increasing every day. With the Globe Arenas as a partner, we at DreamHack have fabulous platform to further develop our festivals and eSports competitions. In 2011 we had over 35,000 visitors and 3.8 million unique viewers on our live broadcasts and demand is increasing, says Robert Ohlén, CEO of Dreamhack.