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HeroFest 2024 kicks off in Bern with record crowds and global cosplayers

From medieval markets to 24/7 e-sports battles, HeroFest transforms Bern into a gamer's paradise. Will this year's crowd top 25,000?

The image shows a large crowd of people standing in a large building with escalators, railings,...
The image shows a large crowd of people standing in a large building with escalators, railings, lights, boards with text, banners, and other objects. At the bottom of the image, there is a watermark, indicating that this is the biggest gaming convention in the world.

HeroFest 2024 kicks off in Bern with record crowds and global cosplayers

The seventh HeroFest kicked off in Bern on Friday afternoon, drawing crowds to the Bernexpo site. This year's event spans three days and covers an expanded area of 8,000 square metres. Organisers anticipate over 20,000 visitors by Sunday evening. Gaming fans from nine countries—including Austria, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Hungary, Belgium, Norway, the UK, and the US—have travelled to Bern for the festival. Many hotels in the city are fully booked, largely due to international cosplayers attending the event.

One of the main attractions is SwitzerLAN, where 2,500 players compete non-stop for 72 hours. Alongside the e-sports tournaments, visitors can explore a medieval market, enjoy live music, and sample food from various stands. A homemade robots tournament is also part of the lineup. Retro gaming consoles, axe throwing, and Pokémon plush toys add to the variety of activities. Top e-sports players like Noah Rey and Salome Gschwind-Penski are present, offering fans the chance to meet and challenge them. Last year's festival drew around 25,000 attendees, and this edition aims to match that success. Prominent figures from the e-sports scene are participating, further boosting the event's appeal. The mix of competitive gaming, entertainment, and themed attractions ensures something for every visitor.

HeroFest 2024 runs until Sunday, with thousands expected to attend. The expanded space and diverse programme reflect the festival's growing popularity. Organisers have prepared a wide range of activities, from high-stakes tournaments to family-friendly entertainment.

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