Frankfurt am MainFrankfurt am Main

Published on June 23, 2016 ⋅ 3min read

It began with a 4:15 wake up, followed by a brisk early morning walk through the mostly empty streets of Charlottenburg, to Savignyplatz S-Bahn station, where I caught the S7 to Hauptbahnhof (central station). Platform 13, destination: Commerzbank Arena, Frankfurt.

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I finally attended my first big eSports event. Two entire days of professional Dota... what more could a dedicated Dota fan want? Well, perhaps a _little_less Dota. Not gonna lie, two 12 hour days sitting in a stadium watching people play computer games is trying, even for me. Fortunately, there was more than just spectating!

I arrived in Frankfurt and headed straight to the stadium from the Hauptbahnhof. By the time I'd queued up and got my entry armband the first game had already started and it was almost midday! Once inside the stadium I snapped a few pics, walked around to strategically position myself so that I could be seen on the internet stream. There's video proof that I was there! After confirming with Andrew via Steam chat that, yes, he had seen me, I, beaming with satisfaction, proceeded to sit down amongst the crowd.

Let the games begin! Well, continue, because really they'd already started...

... Boy, did a crowd of 15,000 change the experience of watching Dota! A rolling cheer washed over you with every kill; first bloods were met with a roar of success, regardless of which team secured it; courier snipes were edge-of-the-seat nail biters that erupted in applause; and when the "gg" finally came, the whole stadium filled with chanting that you couldn't help but join in on. Surrounded by such an audience, one who understood the complexities and subtleties of the game, and celebrated them with you, really heightened the experience that watching at home just couldn't match.

10/10 would recommend. 11/10 with rice.

Alongside the spectating, they also had some other activities available. Gladiator combat arena, mechanical bull riding, team signing events, computers for playing Dota and competing in custom game mode challenges, shops to buy overpriced goodies and clothing apparel, and artists who would draw game art, or create in game items in front of you. They also had balloon artists who would create Dota characters using balloons, and temporary tattoo artists so you could be branded with your favourite team's logo.

I was watching one of the digital painters when another guy came up alongside me and made a comment "echt Klasse, oder?" which is the German equivalent of "really great, huh?" I agreed, yeah it was pretty amazing, and started talking with him. Turns out he was an ex-Pro gamer who used to compete in UT and Quake etc, and was part of Mousesports (a German eSports organisation). He no longer played competitively, but is part of the management there. He then invited me into the VIP section and I spent most of my afternoon chilling there, talking with him and his girlfriend. He also recommended that I should go to ESL One Cologne for CS:GO tournament in July. We exchanged contact details, so if I end up going I'll get in touch with him. Networking +1 level up!

On Sunday I relaxed once again with the plebs in infield seating. This didn't come without its own perks, however, as I was fortunate enough to be sitting in an aisle seat for the final when suddenly Na'vi appeared at the back of the crowd and proceeded to march down the aisle towards the stage for the grand final! I stuck out my hand as they passed and high-fived the team! Yes, that's right, for a brief moment I too succumbed to celebrity worship, as I stood star-struck, high-fiving Dendi as he walked by... (unfortunately I cannot multitask very well. While I managed to film and perform a high-five, I was unable to film myself high-fiving Dendi... you'll just have to trust me it happened!)

The day came to an abrupt end, as OG swept Na'vi to the wayside, dominating them 3-0 in the grand final, even with Miracle playing support Lion (Leighton could learn a thing or two! Haha), testament to how confident OG felt in the ability to win.

Overall, it was an enjoyable experience, but certainly one that would be better had with some friends to share and talk with in the downtime between games. Frankfurt, the city, however, was not a place I'd go back to.

That's all for now, and I'd better hurry, I'm off to the airport to fly to Portugal!