DreamHack San Diego: Counter-Strike 2, Mario's Mom, And Everything Else To Know

The gaming convention DreamHack comes to San Diego in April for its next big event, and this year's show has a lot in store, including playable Counter-Strike 2. While E3 2023 is not going ahead, DreamHack San Diego absolutely is, and here's what to expect.

When Is DreamHack San Diego?

DreamHack San Diego is scheduled for April 7-9, 2023 at the San Diego Convention Center, the site of San Diego Comic-Con and other massive events. This is the first time DreamHack is being held in San Diego.

How Much Are Tickets?

DreamHack San Diego ticks are $36 for a single-day pass or $89 for three days. You can buy tickets and learn more about premium ticket packages at DreamHack's website.

Notable Events And Celebrities

DreamHack San Diego takes place on the opening weekend of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, and attendees can watch the film at the show. Kevin Michael Richardson, who voices Kamek, and Jessica DiCicco, who plays Mario's mother, will be on hand at the event.

The Mario movie screening takes place at the Main Stage on April 7.

Other celebrities lined up to appear at DreamHack San Diego include Anjali Bhimani (Ms. Marvel, Overwatch, Apex Legends) and God of War actors Alastair Duncan (Mimir), Danielle Bisutti (Freya), Adam J. Harrington (Sindri), and Ben Predergast (Tyr). Ren and Stimpy voice actor Eric Bauza will be there, too, alongside Pokemon theme singer Jason Paige and the sketch comedy group The Warp Zone.

Attendees will get to go hands on with Valve's highly anticipated Counter-Strike 2, which is one of 17 games that attendees can try their hand at as part of DreamHack's freeplay lineup. Others include Overwatch 2 and Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0, as well as single-player titles like Elden Ring and Dead Space.

DreamHack San Diego also includes a concert on Saturday, April 8, featuring the bands Set it off, City of Sound, and Scene Queen.

What's more, there is $800,000 up for grabs at various gaming tournaments throughout the show, including a $250,000 Fortnite competition. This is the first of three legs in the Zero Build competition series that will continue with DreamHack Dallas (June 2-4) and DreamHack Summer (June 16-19).

Of the $800,000, DreamHack will host various fighting game tournaments with $100,000 up for grabs, including $70,000 from Ubisoft's Brawlhalla alone. There is also a Rocket League tournament with $310,000 on the line and a mobile game tournament featuring Clash of Clans and Brawl Stars with $100,000 up for grabs between the two games.

Sway from FaZe Clan and Justin "JWong" Wong will be at DreamHack San Diego where they will serve as "final bosses" for the King of the Hill competition. Anyone can compete in Fortnite and Street Fighter tournaments for a chance to take on Sway and JWong.

Beyond all of this, DreamHack San Diego will support various charities, including Autism Society San Diego, as well as local charities and military personnel by way of donation campaigns for attendees.

For more on DreamHack San Diego, be sure to check out the show's full schedule.