Copenhagen Gaming Week (CGW), the highly anticipated gaming and esports festival, is set to make its debut in January 2024. Organized by the hospitality group Bellagroup in collaboration with the Copenhagen Municipality, tourism organization Wonderful Copenhagen, and Astralis-owned media company Blackbox Media, CGW is gearing up to be a major event on the esports calendar.
BLAST takes the reins
One of the standout features of CGW will be the Counter-Strike 2 tournament, which will run from January 12th to 14th, 2024. This esports extravaganza will be operated by the renowned tournament organizer, BLAST, and is expected to feature some of the top teams in the world.
A festival for all gamers
CGW is not just about esports; it aims to celebrate all facets of gaming, from various communities to different gaming genres. Christian Folden Lund, CEO of Bellagroup, emphasizes the festival’s diverse appeal: “While Copenhagen Gaming Week aims to be a festival celebrating all realms, communities, and genres within gaming, we cannot overlook the fact that structured, competition-driven gaming, known as esports, is a substantial part of the gaming scene.”
Esports arena at the heart of the festival
The esports action at CGW will unfold in the dedicated Esports Arena, just one component of this multifaceted gaming festival. Families can look forward to educational areas, and kids will have their own playgrounds. Cosplayers and enthusiasts of tabletop games like D&D and Warhammer will find dedicated ‘superfan’ areas designed to cater to their interests.
Nordic esports showdown
While details about the format of the online open qualifier and the list of invited teams are yet to be disclosed, Bellagroup has clarified that the qualifier will primarily target the Northern European region. The prize pool for the Counter-Strike 2 tournament remains a closely guarded secret.
Denmark: A hub for esports
Denmark has a rich history in esports, particularly Counter-Strike. It is home to BLAST, the renowned tournament organizer that has brought numerous esports events to the country. Danish teams like Astralis and Heroic, along with a host of world-class players, have left an indelible mark on the global esports scene.
Collaboration with local stakeholders
Bellagroup has worked closely with various local government stakeholders to ensure the success of CGW. Key partners include Wonderful Copenhagen, Copenhagen Municipality, Dansk Industri, the Capital Region of Denmark, and the City of Copenhagen. This collaborative effort underscores the growing interest in positioning Copenhagen as a prominent destination on the global esports map.
A promising start for Bellagroup’s esports ambitions
Headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, Bellagroup is a prominent player in the hotel, conference, event, and hospitality industry. CGW is just the beginning of its ambitious foray into the world of esports. “Our aim is to establish Copenhagen Gaming Week as a recurring event that grows and expands year by year,” states Bellagroup. With BLAST at the helm of tournament operations, the newly constructed Bella Arena is set to become a focal point for esports events. According to Bellagroup, this is just the beginning, and esports enthusiasts can look forward to more events at Bella Center and Bella Arena in the future.
The inaugural Copenhagen Gaming Week promises to be a diverse and thrilling celebration of gaming, with esports taking center stage through the Counter-Strike 2 tournament. With BLAST’s expertise and a lineup of top-tier teams, this event is poised to be a highlight of the 2024 esports calendar. Denmark’s strong esports heritage and collaboration with local stakeholders further emphasize Copenhagen’s growing prominence in the global esports landscape. As Bellagroup’s esports ambitions continue to grow, CGW is just the first step in what is sure to be an exciting journey for esports enthusiasts in Copenhagen and beyond.
