There’s something about DreamHack Dallas that doesn’t just hit your calendar—it hits your spirit.
Maybe it’s the smell of BBQ drifting through the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center. Maybe it’s the flicker of LED lights reflecting off cosplay armor and Twitch lanyards. Or maybe it’s that feeling you get when you walk in and realize: you’re not alone in your love for this.
DreamHack took over more than a million square feet of Texas concrete this year—but what it really took over was the energy. The vibe. The sense that something was happening here that you’d want to remember.
Friday: Load In, Lock In
Day one felt like booting up an old game save—familiar, warm, and full of promise.
The LAN zone was packed with folks hauling in their setups like it was a sacred ritual (because let’s be honest, it kind of is). Towers glowed, keyboards clacked, and friendships sparked faster than ping responses.
Over in the esports arenas, things were already heating up. Team Falcons and The MongolZ came through with serious pressure in the IEM quarterfinals, and CDL Major IV was full throttle from the start. But even off the main stage, the action never let up. Cosplayers brought full drama and detail to the halls, indie vendors held it down with custom dice and prints, and you couldn’t take more than a few steps without hearing someone laugh, shout, or say “yo, that’s sick.”
DreamHack isn’t just an event—it’s a world. And on Friday, that world was wide open.
Saturday: The Heartbeat
By Saturday, DreamHack was sold out. And it felt like it.
Every inch of space was buzzing with something. People were catching up, linking up, lining up for demos, or just finding places to be.
And in the middle of it all? A proposal. Right on stage. The whole crowd stopped, gasped, and then screamed. It was one of those moments that had nothing to do with brackets and everything to do with being seen. Being here. Feeling everything.
History was happening too—commandstation became the first woman to win an official Halo HCS FFA on LAN, and fans let her know just how major that moment was. Nearby, The Costco Guys had folks cracking up during their BOOM or DOOM talent show, while every aisle, screen, and side room kept leveling up the energy.
Sunday: Final Boss Mode
Sunday could’ve coasted. Instead, it delivered.
Team Vitality swept MOUZ 3–0 in the IEM Dallas Grand Final, locking in their 30th consecutive LAN CS win. That’s not just a stat—it’s a legacy.
LA Thieves ran it back with another CDL Major IV title, edging out Atlanta FaZe 4–2 in front of a crowd that didn’t let up for a second. And in a jaw-clenching ESL Impact Grand Final, FURIA made a dramatic comeback to beat Imperial 2–1. It was tense. It was wild. It was everything.
From Valorant and Brawlhalla to StarCraft II and GeoGuessr, every screen had a story unfolding. Every cheer had a heartbeat behind it.
The Magic Beyond Matches
But honestly? Some of the best parts weren’t even bracketed.
It was grabbing a plate of brisket before watching a drag show. It was stumbling into a live tabletop session next to a vendor selling hand-painted keycaps. It was seeing someone dressed as Jinx laugh with a guy in a FaZe hoodie, or watching a group of teens go full cosplay just to hype each other up in Free Play.
DreamHack Dallas didn’t just celebrate competition. It celebrated connection. And that’s what made it feel bigger than the games.
Til the Next Quest
With record-breaking attendance, many watching from home, and energy that lingered long after the doors closed, DreamHack Dallas 2025 was more than just a more than we could’ve asked for.
Because gaming isn’t just a hobby—it’s how we come together. How we express ourselves. How we build something that lives past the weekend.
And if you were there, you know the truth:
DreamHack isn’t just a con.
It’s a vibe.
A language.
A love letter to play.
And we’ll be waiting for the next one. But until then, keep the squad close, the lights low, and the music loud.
Until next time—
Stay moody, stay inspired.
@MoodyStudiosCo
