One of the UK’s Biggest LAN Parties Returns

The UK’s beloved LAN festival, EPIC.LAN, is gearing up for its next major event, EPIC46, taking place from October 30th to November 2nd, 2025, at Kettering Leisure Village in Northamptonshire.

Known for mixing competitive esports with community fun, this four-day festival will feature major tournaments for Counter-Strike 2, VALORANT, StarCraft 2, and osu!, alongside casual gaming zones, tabletop areas, and even the famous Kettering Pub Quiz. There will also be stage content, a Saturday night community party, on-site camping and catering, plus exhibitors and tech demos from leading hardware brands.

EPIC46 – One of the UK’s biggest LAN parties (probably).

📅30 Oct – 2nd Nov
🌍Kettering Leisure Village, UK

Featuring:
🕹️Big Games & Fun Tournaments
🕹️Casual Gaming Area (Consoles, Dance Mats, Beer Pong, Just Dance)
🎲Tabletop Area
🎤Stage Content
🕹️Esports Tournaments (CS2,… pic.twitter.com/RWvFHbnAsE

— EPIC.LAN UK Gaming & Esports Events (@EPICLAN) August 18, 2025

A Tier 2 Counter-Strike 2 LAN with Intel and ASUS ROG

The Counter-Strike 2 portion of EPIC46 will be one of the weekend’s biggest draws, officially partnered with Intel Gaming, Overclockers UK, and ASUS ROG UK.

The event is recognised as a Tier 2 Open Tournament under Valve’s Tournament Operator Requirements, making it eligible for Valve Regional Standings (VRS) points, a crucial factor for teams aiming to qualify for future CS2 Majors.

EPIC.LAN confirmed that while EPIC46 complies with Valve’s Tier 2 standards, HLTV coverage will determine whether matches officially count toward the global ranking. The organisers will apply for HLTV approval no later than 15 days before the Main Event, continuing a tradition dating back to EPIC26.

“EPIC.LAN is not able to guarantee prior to the event if coverage is confirmed,” organisers stated. “We will follow due process to receive coverage as we have for all of our Counter-Strike LAN events since EPIC26.”

Teams will be seeded using the October VRS standings, which were led by The MongolZ following a strong showing across Tier 1 tournaments.

You can find all official VRS details here.

How You Can Join the Tournament

Thinking about competing at EPIC46? Here’s everything you need to know to get in on the action.

1. Get a BYOC Ticket:
   A Bring Your Own Computer (BYOC) ticket is required to enter and participate in any esports tournament. It secures your seat, power access, and full weekend entry.
2. Register Before the Deadline:
   Tournament sign-ups will close at 4PM GMT on October 30th, so teams should finalise their rosters early. The registration portal is available at EPIC46 Tournament Signups.
3. Meet the Age Requirements:
   Players must be 16 or older. Those under 18 must have parent or guardian consent and be accompanied by an approved adult on-site.
4. Join the Discord:
   Once registered, join the EPIC.LAN Discord at discord.gg/epiclan. Participants will get access to the EPIC46 CS2 section for match info, schedules, and admin announcements.
5. Go Solo as a Free Agent:
   Don’t have a team? No problem. Free Agent sign-ups are available for players looking to form or join a roster ahead of the event.
6. Check the Schedule:
   The full tournament timetable, including live match days, is available on the official schedule page.

Tournament Dates and Format

The Counter-Strike 2 tournament will run across three days of competition:

• Friday, October 31st
• Saturday, November 1st
• Sunday, November 2nd

The event can host up to 48 teams, with potential expansion depending on registrations. The final team cap and full format will be confirmed at least two weeks before the event’s start.

All matches will take place offline, and participants are expected to follow the General and Supplementary Rules published on the EPIC.LAN website.

Prize Pool and MVP Award

EPIC46 offers a prize pool of up to £5,000, with rewards distributed based on team participation and sponsorships.

The event’s MVP Award, sponsored by ASUS ROG, will grant one standout player the ASUS ROG Ace Esports Bundle, a premium hardware package designed for high-level competitive play.

Only the best prizes for the best players!🏆

Here is your #EPIC46 MVP prize for Counter-Strike 2, sponsored by @ASUS_ROGUK🎁 pic.twitter.com/LxxRn0Ewmc

— EPIC.LAN UK Gaming & Esports Events (@EPICLAN) October 18, 2025

More Than Just Esports

Beyond the intense esports competition, EPIC46 is also about the community experience. The festival will include:

• Casual Gaming Zone: Consoles, rhythm games, beer pong, Just Dance, and more.
• Tabletop Area: Board games and tabletop fun open to everyone.
• Stage Content: Live panels, giveaways, and entertainment throughout the weekend.
• Saturday Community Party: DJs, karaoke, and social events.
• Food & Facilities: On-site catering, a late-night bar, 24-hour shop, and camping options just steps away from the arena.

Whether you’re there to compete or simply to enjoy the LAN vibes, EPIC46 promises one of the most complete gaming weekends in the UK.

Stay Connected

For updates, tournament info, and live coverage, follow EPIC.LAN’s official channels:

• X (Twitter): @EPICLAN
• TeamSpeak: ts.event.epiclan.net
• Discord: discord.gg/epiclan
• Twitch: twitch.tv/epiclan1
• VRS Details: tournaments.epiclan.co.uk/tournaments/epic46-cs2/vrs

Game demos from each match will be uploaded daily to demos.epiclan.co.uk. Admin support from Gumpster and Geo will be available both on-site and via Discord.

The post EPIC.LAN Reveals Full Details for EPIC46 Counter-Strike 2 Tournament This October – How You Can Join appeared first on Shane the Gamer.

DreamHack is giving Counter-Strike 2 players a golden chance, qualify straight into ESL Pro League Season 23 and face the world’s best. The newly launched DreamHack Knockout is running at both DreamHack Atlanta and Stockholm later this year, with tickets already on sale.

Want to qualify DIRECTLY to #ESLProLeague Season 23 and play against the best CS2 teams on the planet? 🌏@DreamHack Knockout is your chance! 👊

📍 Compete at #DreamHack Stockholm & Atlanta
💰 $10,000 on the line
🏆 1 #ESLProLeague S23 spot
🎟️ Tickets available NOW pic.twitter.com/rCJJl2N2wE

— ESL Counter-Strike (@ESLCS) August 18, 2025

What’s on the line?

Aside from bragging rights, each Knockout tournament comes with a $10,000 prize pool and, more importantly, one ESL Pro League spot. For most aspiring pros, that’s the real reward, a direct ticket to one of Counter-Strike’s biggest stages.

Two cities, two very different brackets

• DreamHack Atlanta: October 31 – November 2, capped at 32 teams.
• DreamHack Stockholm: November 28 – 30, with space for a massive 128 teams.

Both tournaments follow the same format, but Stockholm’s bigger size reflects Europe’s heavier Counter-Strike scene compared to North America.

Here’s how you can join

If you’re keen to compete, the process is pretty straightforward:

Grab your ticket — You’ll need a BYOC (Bring Your Own Computer) ticket for entry into DreamHack, plus a Knockout Team Ticket. Stockholm offers three options:

• Team Ticket (5 players)
• Team Ticket (6 players) – includes space for a coach with internet and power
• Coach Add-on Ticket – for teams that already have a 5-player pass

Form your squad — Make sure your roster is locked in. Stockholm even has a six-player ticket option so a coach can sit with the team.

Get your gear ready — It’s a BYOC tournament, which means you’ll be hauling your PC, peripherals, and everything else to the venue. (Atlanta players can look into Fragadelphia’s PC rental option if you’d rather not travel with your rig.)

Show up and play — Once you’re there, it’s all about skill. Beat the competition, and you’re on the fast track to ESL Pro League.

The cost of the dream

Competing isn’t exactly cheap.

• In Atlanta, a 5-player team ticket costs $845 USD, with a coach add-on for another $69.
• In Stockholm, the 5-player ticket runs at 5,495 SEK (about £425 GBP), with coach options available.

Add in flights, accommodation, food, and the joy of hauling your PC across borders, and the path to ESL Pro League isn’t as simple as showing up.

Levelling the playing field?

When DreamHack Knockout was announced earlier this year, Shahin Zarrabi, VP of Festivals at ESL FACEIT Group, said:

“This is what DreamHack is all about, we’re levelling the playing field. Nothing matters except bringing your computer, showing your skill, and rising to fame.”

It’s a fair point, LAN experience is a massive part of Counter-Strike’s DNA. But for many grassroots teams, the barrier is less about skill and more about the wallet.

Still, DreamHack Knockout gives players something they rarely get: a genuine shot at Pro League qualification without relying on online brackets or regional invites. For hungry CS2 teams willing to take the leap, this could be their launchpad.

The post DreamHack Knockout Offers Direct Route to ESL Pro League Season 23 – Here’s How You Can Join appeared first on Shane the Gamer.