Only 10 days to go until the biggest gaming festival in Western Austria - with new formats, 10,000 visitors and a strong community focus.
The countdown is on: In ten days, Messezentrum Salzburg will once again become the stage for Austria's gaming scene. On June 28 and 29, 2025, LEVEL UP - The Gaming Festival will bring together eSports, cosplay, indie games, retro classics and community for the fifth time - with three fully-fledged stages and a clear commitment to the diversity and creativity of the scene.
eSports live on stage - with excitement, skill and show
The eSports Stage will also be the center of top-class competitions in 2025. The final of the DACH CS Masters brings two top teams to the stage: Berlin International Gaming and Bärendienst. At the ESSL Valorant Championship - powered by MCI - Austria's strongest school teams will battle it out for €2,500 in prize money and the honor.
Smash fans celebrate the comeback of LEVEL UP: BREAKOUT - an open tournament in which players qualify for the final directly on site. In the Red Bull For The Win Qualifier, Fortnite gamers will be competing for a place in the Vienna showmatch against the pros. Commentators and a live audience create the perfect tournament atmosphere.
Playing instead of watching: Three stages, full interaction
LEVEL UP 2025 focuses on participation instead of a frontal show. In addition to the eSports Stage, the new Cosplay Stage brings creative diversity to the area - with performances, panels, contests and anime fandom in the spotlight.
The Raiffeisen Club Community Stage will be even more interactive. Here, visitors take to the stage themselves: with Mario Kart, nerd quizzes, multiplayer specials such as LudeCat and spontaneous challenges against creators such as Luigikid or Veni. What usually generates views on Twitch becomes a real experience here.
Indie, retro, TCG & more - gaming in all its facets
LEVEL UP 2025 offers much more than just competitions on stage. In the uRage Free2Play Area, visitors can try out the latest games on cutting-edge hardware - a perfect place to experience new trends and highlights first-hand. The opportunity to test the brand new Nintendo Switch 2 for the first time at LEVEL UP is also particularly exciting.
A real climbing tower and racing simulators, among other things, offer action and fun, making adrenaline and competition tangible in the exhibition halls. Numerous eSports teams and gaming organizations from the region and beyond will present themselves in the spacious areas, bringing the scene to life with meet & greets, show matches and workshops.
The Indie Games Area showcases creative, innovative projects from developers who make their latest titles playable directly on site and collect feedback from the community.
The Retro Area is not short on classics from the past and invites visitors to play together. Tabletop and trading card games create meeting spaces for strategy fans and collectors, while the Artist Alley showcases creative highlights from fan culture - from individual prints and cosplay accessories to exclusive merch items.
Digital streetwork - a statement for modern gaming culture
Digital Streetwork from Familienbund OÖ is a project that combines youth culture with digital life. What usually happens on Discord, Instagram or TikTok is given a real presence here. Visitors to the stand can expect eye-to-eye discussions, tips on mental health, virtual hands-on activities with instant prizes, free popcorn and a place to take a deep breath - open, anonymous and free of charge. LEVEL UP shows that gaming culture can also bear social responsibility.
Secure tickets and become part of LEVEL UP
LEVEL UP 2025 is a meeting place, playground and platform all in one - for gamers, creators, developers and scene fans. There are only ten days left until the event - if you want to be there, you should get your tickets now.
