Traditionally known for hosting champion tennis matches and rock ‘n’ roll legends, Melbourne’s Olympic Park was transformed last weekend into a gamer’s paradise.
Free arcade games, speedrunning, streaming stations, panels, tabletop, LARP and cosplay — all scattered throughout a unique and remarkable venue. Oh, and esports, that’s the whole kicker of this event.
READ MORE: We’re at Dreamhack Melbourne 2024!
I took my kids there on Saturday, and together we walked through the stands of Rod Laver Arena and explored the main expo floor below. It was crazy to explain to them, while standing next to a variety of exciting Gacha Gacha, that tennis legends have played in this space. Rock stars from around the world have sold out this venue — now I can get a free 500ml can of Monster Energy Mango Loco from a bar on the same piece of ground. Wild.
Now, I wouldn’t recommend taking kids there on Saturday. It was by far the busiest day, often hard to move and there were lines for pretty much everything — try Sunday instead.
That said, ESL Australia and DreamHack are absolutely crushing it.
Dreamhack Melbourne played host to a massive 35,513 attendees across the weekend. That’s up from 25,851 in 2023. The event is only three years in and every year is getting stronger.
When it comes to gaming events in Australia, two major players stand out: PAX Aus and DreamHack Melbourne. While both events offer unique experiences, they each focus heavily on the gaming community. The Game Expo is also tucked in there, a nice little event to break up the year but it doesn’t compete (yet).
READ MORE: Blog | Dreamhack Melbourne Day 2
PAX Aus offers a diverse range of gaming-related activities, from indie game showcases to major players like Nintendo and Bethesda. A large tabletop section also allows attendees to enjoy classic and new board games in a friendly and welcoming setting. Attendees can enjoy panels and discussions on various topics and get a behind the scenes look at the gaming industry. It’s a celebration of all things gaming and provides a fun and welcoming space for gamers of all kinds.
DreamHack Melbourne however stands out for its emphasis on esports and competitive gaming. The event hosts high-stakes competitions in major arenas, offering significant prize pools that attract top teams and players from around the world.
Beyond esports, DreamHack Melbourne also features a global cosplaying competition, panels on gaming and industry topics, streaming workshops and more, providing attendees with valuable insights and knowledge.
PAX Aus doesn’t quite bring the same energy as DreamHack.
On Sunday, sitting in Margaret Court Arena watching the ESL challenger semi-final was an entirely new experience. I’m not part of the Counter-Strike 2 esports crowd, but watching what they do, their cheers squad in the stands — it was incredible. Not to mention the LCO headline on Sunday.
In the entrance foyer, mega mobile game Pokemon Go had a ‘Poke Stop’ where gamers can pick up in game items and earn rewards; many trainers took a moment to snap a picture next to the Pokemon Professor.
Outside the venue, a rainbow road connects the main arena to the free-play gaming zone and a dedicated area for LARP enthusiasts — including a booth to sign up for the Hobbit Hoedown. This kind of thing doesn’t exist at PAX.
Hugging the perimeter of Rod Laver Arena is the Artist Alley, where dozens of creatives have their artworks on display for people to buy. PAX doesn’t have an Artist Alley, these kinds of stalls are usually reserved for your Comic-Con and Supernova events. Yet, the Artist Alley was an absolute highlight. I picked up a few pieces myself, including a Halloween-themed Pokemon print by artist Snezzadactyle.
Big names in the podcasting world, like Trash Taste, took the main stage on Saturday to answer questions from fans, while virtual performers from Hololive headlined Rod Laver Arena that evening — an Australian first.
READ MORE: Blog | Dreamhack Melbourne Day 1
For content creators and streamers, DreamHack Melbourne is a dream come true. The event is filled with opportunities to meet big names and up and coming talents and network with industry professionals.
While exploring the venue, I found myself walking behind Twitch CEO Dan Clancy, who was totally enjoying the vibe — no security or anything. The day before, Clancy was spotted taking part in an acoustic singalong (you can see more in our Day 1 blog).
READ MORE: Blog | Dreamhack Melbourne Day 3
One attendee, Xander, was on a mission to collect signatures from creators on his desk playmat. He managed to gather over 230 signatures — a true display of dedication and passion for the event. Xander emphasised the important role creators play in making DreamHack Melbourne the successful and vibrant event it is today.
“Creators are what make events like this possible,” Xander told me, attributing their marketing efforts and enthusiasm for hyping up DreamHack as key factors in the event’s continued growth and popularity.
I wholeheartedly agree. While I certainly don’t consider myself a creator, the journalist in me greatly respected what he was doing. That said, I signed his mat — I’m pretty much famous now.
READ MORE: ‘DreamHack is for everyone’ | Mega esports event gears up for Melbourne return
As I reflect on my first DreamHack Melbourne experience, it’s clear that this event is a major highlight for the Australian gaming community. With its focus on esports, engaging panels, and opportunities for creators and fans to connect, DreamHack Melbourne delivers an exceptional event for attendees — big and small.
However, I’d appreciate it if some of the loud-mouthed Kick streamers prancing around the venue, while live, could be a bit more considerate of those around them. Kids don’t need to hear you swearing and acting a fool.
The excitement of watching top-tier esports competitions, mingling with talented creators, and enjoying a vibrant festival atmosphere makes DreamHack Melbourne a standout in the gaming world. I can’t help but look forward to next year’s event.
DreamHack Melbourne 2025 is sure to bring even more surprises, memorable moments, and wholesome connections. Whether you’re an esports enthusiast, a content creator, or simply a passionate gamer, this event has made its mark in my mind.
