Behind the Banner - May 2022 by VisitDallas

BEHIND THE BANNER ma y EDITION

High-profile Esports Festival

Returns to Dallas By Sam Weiger

DreamHack, one of the largest esports festivals the Dallas gaming community has ever experienced, returns with more tournaments and activities than ever before. Thanks to a growing local interest in esports, including several new North Texas pro-esports divisions, this prestigious event expects another strong turnout in 2022. Professional and casual gamers attending DreamHack Dallas can compete in a new set of “Bring Your Own Computer” (BYOC) tournaments.

The new tournaments increase the BYOC prize pool to $15,000, and another $2,500 prize pool has been added for the new Cosplay competition. The first-ever Collegiate Rocket League (CRL) World Championship, which will feature competitors from all around the globe, also takes place at the festival. Other major tournaments include Super Smash Bros. Ultimate and Counter Strike: Global Offensive. Players on some of the best pro-esports teams in the metroplex are expected to partake in these events.

“We’re thrilled to bring DreamHack back to the great city of Dallas,” Shahin Zarrabi, VP Strategy & Growth at DreamHack, said in a release. “These last two years of the pandemic have been so hard for so many, but gaming has always brought communities together both online and in person. So it is especially meaningful to bring this electrifying event weekend to Dallas as we mark our return to in-person festivals all around the world. – We can’t wait to once again share it with the people of Dallas.” Two of the most well-known pro-esports initiatives in North Texas are affiliated with the Dallas Cowboys and Dallas Mavericks. The Cowboys’ initiative,

Complexity Gaming, has over a dozen teams for each video game they compete in. DreamHack should expect an appearance from Complexity, since this powerhouse has Rocket League and Counter Strike teams. Mavs Gaming, the official NBA 2K League affiliate of the Dallas Mavs, specializes in the NBA 2K video game. Mavs Gaming hosts a

summer gaming camp at the 8.700 square-foot Mavs Gaming Hub, where junior gamers learn tips and tricks for NBA2K22 and Rocket League. As esports continue to flourish in North Texas, the number of local pro-esports teams continues to increase. FC Dallas has also entered the esports arena and actively participates in eMLS, the official competitive esports league of Major League Soccer. FC Dallas Gaming competes in all the major eMLS FIFA tournaments each year. Another noteworthy team, Dallas Fuel, belongs to Overwatch League and participates in a 23-week regular season. The Fuel organization hosts home matches at Esports Stadium Arlington, the largest dedicated esports

stadium in North America. The esports boom in North Texas has been directly correlated to the region’s rapidly growing young demographic. According to U.S. Census Bureau data, Dallas attracted more millennials than any other city in the country in 2017. The esports

industry has also grown tremendously all over the world. According to levvvel.com, the global esports market is currently worth over $1 billion and should reach $1.6 billion by 2024. These trends have inspired most noteworthy North Texas universities to create esports programs. Dallas ISD, the University Interscholastic League (UIL) and the YMCA also provide esports opportunities for teens and kids in North Texas. Young North Texans will likely represent the majority of DreamHack Dallas 2022 ticket holders, and they’ll have access to an expansive assortment of activities. The Fortnite Amateur Open allows players of all levels to compete in Fortnite’s Battle Royale for a $25,000 prize. Magic: The Gathering (MTG) card game players also have the chance to participate in an open tournament, and the champion walks home with $10,000. In addition to competitions, DreamHack offers a Creator Hub that gives game developers an exclusive lounge for showcasing their work. The festival expo features dozens of booths, where gaming enthusiasts can test drive new games, support charities, and shop for merchandise or artwork. “Dallas thrives on diverse, expanding sporting events,” said Monica Paul, Executive Director of the Dallas Sports Commission. “Esports have had a stronghold in the sports industry for a long time now, and it’s essential that we continue to grow our event portfolio in that direction. Our partnership with ESL Gaming and the Dreamhack Festival is a prime example of how well our market hosts esporting events.” DreamHack embellishes its diverse event with a medley of on-site entertainment. EssentialsTF will host a handful of events dedicated to Team Fortress 2, including a jumping competition and a dodgeball tournament. The free play area will showcase the newest games created by independent developers. DreamHack will also feature a main stage, where broadcasters, talk show hosts, and musicians will perform. Anime buffs can purchase a bundle pass that includes access to A-Kon, the longest-running anime convention in North America. DreamHack’s extensive list of events guarantees that anybody with an interest in gaming will leave its festival satisfied.

GET YOUR TICKETS BEHIND THE BANNER

EDITION

Big 12 goes big & Comes Home

Big 12 Baseball returns to Texas By Alex Gilbert

For the first time in over 15 years, the Phillips 66 Big 12 Baseball Championship has returned to Texas. The top eight finishers from the regular season are descending upon Globe Life Field for the very first time. The decision to move the championship back to Texas not only puts the event in the Big 12’s very own backyard, but also opens the door to many possibilities within the larger-than-life MLB stadium, Globe Life Field. “We are thrilled to bring the Phillips 66 Big 12 Baseball Championship back to Arlington. Being in a state-of-the-art, climate-controlled Major League stadium, with no weather delays, provides a superb Championship venue for our student-athletes and fans,” said Dayna Scherf, Big 12 Executive Associate Commissioner – Championships. This year’s championship promises to be one of the best yet, with teams like Texas Tech and Oklahoma State already ranked in the NCAA’s top ten. The teams are seeded one through eight for the first round and will play a two-bracket double-elimination tournament culminating in a single championship game. Some big names top the list of athletes for this year’s championship. At the 2022 Big 12 Baseball Awards, Ivan Melendez from the University of Texas

was named Big 12 Player of the Year, while Brandon Birdsell from Texas Tech was selected Big 12 Pitcher of the Year. In addition to his Big 12 awards, Melendez is one of the front-runners for the National Player of the Year. He leads the entirety of NCAA Division I in home runs and broke the Big 12 record for winning Player of the Week, winning five times throughout the 2022 season. Texas Tech pitcher Birdsell maintained batters to a batting average of .204 and ranked second in strikeouts. This is only the second time a Texas Tech player has won the award. Athletes aren’t the only ones making names for themselves this season. TCU coach Kirk Saarloos won Coach of the Year at the Big 12 Baseball awards. TCU was able to secure the regular-season title for the Big 12, and this is their second consecutive regular-season championship. Due to their title win, TCU is seeded first for the tournament. Championship play begins today, May 25th, at Globe Life Field. Tickets are still available for the remainder of the games throughout the weekend at TexasRangers.com/Big12.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Today, Wednesday, May 25 Game 1 – 9 a.m. – No. 4 Oklahoma State vs. No. 5 Texas - ESPNU Game 2 – 12:30 p.m. – No. 1 TCU vs. No. 8 Baylor - Big 12 Now on ESPN+ Game 3 – 4 p.m. – No. 2 Texas Tech vs. No. 7 Kansas State - Big 12 Now on ESPN+ Game 4 – 7:30 p.m. – No. 3 Oklahoma vs. No. 6 West Virginia - Big 12 Now on ESPN+ Thursday, May 26 Game 5 – Game 1 Loser vs. Game 2 Loser – 9 a.m. – Big 12 Now on ESPN+ Game 6 – Game 3 Loser vs. Game 4 Loser – 12:30 p.m. – Big 12 Now on ESPN+ Game 7 – Game 1 Winner vs. Game 2 Winner – 4 p.m. – ESPNU Game 8 – Game 3 Winner vs. Game 4 Winner – 7:30 p.m. – ESPNU Friday, May 27 Game 9 – Game 7 Loser vs. Game 5 Winner – 3:15 p.m. – Big 12 Now on ESPN+ Game 10 – Game 8 Loser vs. Game 6 Winner – 7 p.m. – Big 12 Now on ESPN+ Saturday, May 28 Game 11 – Game 9 Winner vs. Game 7 Winner – 9 a.m. – Big 12 Now on ESPN+ Game 12 – Game 8 Winner vs. Game 10 Winner – 12:30 p.m. – Big 12 Now on ESPN+ Game 13 – Game 11 Loser vs. Game 11 Winner (if necessary) – 4 p.m. – Big 12 Now on ESPN+ Game 14 – Game 12 Loser vs. Game 12 Winner (if necessary) – 4 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. – Big 12 Now on ESPN+ Sunday, May 29 Game 15 – Championship Game – 5 p.m. – ESPNU

GET YOUR TICKETS “The Big 12 has some of the best college baseball in the country, with several top-25 teams and very passionate fan bases. Coupled with the surrounding entertainment district, attendees can expect a great Championship experience.” Dayna Scherf

Big 12 Executive Associate Commissioner - Championships BEHIND THE BANNER

EDITION

the pros at home in june SUN

MON

TUE

WED 1

7:05 PM

THU 2

VS. TB 1:35 PM

1:05 PM

VS. SEA 12

3:00 PM

7:05 PM

VS. HOU 20

1:35 PM

7:05 PM

3:05 PM

VS. PHI 29

VS. WASH

BEHIND THE BANNER

7:00 PM

VS. PHO

VS. PHI 27

VS. HOU

VS. LAS 26

7:00 PM

VS. SEA

VS. SEA 19

S AT

VS. TB 9

FRI

9:30 PM

VS. LAFC MAY 2022 EDITION

7:00 PM

VS. IND 30

7:05 PM

VS. WASH

LATEST FROM

THE COMMISSION WELCOME TO THE TEAM! Lainey Mandaville Events & Marketing Intern

Will Schweizer Events & Marketing Intern

CRL AT DREAMHACK COMES TO DALLAS The Collegiate Rocket League 2022 – World Championship is the first major intercontinental competition for collegiate Rocket League teams and players. The World Championship finals will take place at DreamHack Dallas 2022 in Dallas, United States at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center.

GET YOUR TICKETS

upcoming events

BEHIND THE BANNER

MAY 2022 EDITION

e d o is p E st te a L e h T s is M ’t Don of DSC’s Mic Drop LISTEN NOW

GET INVOLVED Big Wins Happen Here and we want you to be a part of our Big Opportunities! Men’s and Women’s Final Four, WrestleMania, NFL Draft and College Football Playoff are just a few of the many exciting events in which our volunteers have played key roles. Join the team and be a part of our exciting lineup!

CONNECTED Sign Up For Our Newsletter Sign Up

@dallassports.org

Visit Us Online dallassports.org

Subscribe to Mic Drop

@dallas_sports @dallas_sports_commission

Subscribe Here

www.dallasworldcup2026.com

@worldcupdallas