DreamHack Ends BYOC LAN as Attendance Falls Under 10%

DreamHack announced it will end the BYOC (Bring Your Own Computer) LAN component at its festivals after fewer than 10% of global ticket holders brought their own PCs to events in 2025. The change will apply to DreamHack events worldwide.

BYOC began in 1994 in the basement of a school in Malung, Sweden. For decades the BYOC area allowed thousands of attendees to set up desktops and monitors on a shared network, play around the clock and enter tournaments for games such as VALORANT, Call of Duty and Fall Guys.

Organizers pointed to a steady drop in BYOC participation and rising logistical complexity as reasons for the decision. In 2025 BYOC participants made up under 10% of tickets sold globally, and the company noted operating the large network and seating areas had become more difficult.

DreamHack plans to repurpose the BYOC footprint to expand PC Freeplay areas and other vendor-provided setups where visitors can play without bringing hardware. Organizers expect the change to free substantial floor space for interactive exhibits and on-site play stations.

At DreamHack Atlanta 2026 the festival included a retro arcade space created with Sour Punch and product showcases from Samsung and Logitech on the show floor. The company described those on-site play areas as a continued focus for future events.

In a statement DreamHack wrote, “The ocean of screens isn’t going anywhere.” The company added it will invest in activities and exhibits that make it easier for attendees to play on-site without transporting their own equipment.

Global Esports Industry Week will return June 18–21, 2026 in Cologne, Germany, running alongside IEM Cologne. Organizers plan to publish updated schedules and ticket information for the broader festival calendar.

DreamHack stated it will maintain community-driven gaming experiences and competitive events while reconfiguring show floors to support more shared and vendor-provided play areas.