How Lotto Arena became the global stage for the Fortnite Global Championship
24.10.2026
100 elite players, 50 duos, 12 matches, a $2 million prize pool and two sold-out event days. On 26 and 27 September 2026, Lotto Arena in Antwerp set the stage for the Fortnite Global Championship. This spectacular international esports event not only brought thousands of fans together but also showcased the venue's versatility, technical capabilities and ability to deliver world-class productions.
For the first time ever, the Fortnite Global Championship came to Belgium. Event organisers BLAST and Epic Games selected Lotto Arena to host one of the most prestigious international competitions in the esports calendar.
Over two action-packed days, 100 of the world's best Fortnite players, competing in 50 duos, battled for the coveted world championship title. After twelve thrilling matches, SwizzY and Pixie emerged victorious, lifting the Axe of Champions. SwizzY also made history as the first player to win back-to-back Fortnite Global Championships.
But beyond the excitement of the competition, another remarkable achievement was taking place. Lotto Arena underwent a complete transformation into a world-class esports venue, featuring a complex technical production, extensive broadcast facilities and an immersive live experience for thousands of fans.
An international community comes together in Antwerp
Esports knows no borders, and the Fortnite Global Championship was a perfect example. The event attracted 3,027 fans to Lotto Arena, with ticket buyers travelling from no fewer than 34 countries across six continents.
More than half of all unique ticket buyers came from outside Belgium, with particularly strong representation from France, Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
The event's international appeal in numbers
3,027 fans welcomed
34 countries represented
6 continents represented
52.2% of unique ticket buyers from abroad
14.1% from France
8.0% from Germany
7.6% from the Netherlands
5.4% from the United Kingdom
Belgian fans were equally willing to travel for the championship. Among domestic ticket buyers whose travel distance could be calculated, 36.5% lived more than 50 kilometres from Lotto Arena, while almost one in ten travelled from over 100 kilometres away.
These figures demonstrate that a compelling event doesn't have to rely solely on a local audience. With the right concept, an attractive venue and an easily accessible destination, organisers can draw fans from across borders and build a truly international event.
A complete Esports arena in just 84 Hours
Hosting an international esports championship takes much more than a stage and a grandstand. Players, production teams, technical crews, broadcasters, partners and visitors all need to come together within one seamlessly coordinated event operation.
For the Fortnite Global Championship, Lotto Arena was transformed from the ground up. The arena floor became an impressive competitive gaming environment, while the surrounding stands offered thousands of spectators excellent views of the action.
Behind the scenes, an extensive technical and logistical operation brought the entire production to life. The complete build took just 84 hours, while dismantling the entire setup after the event required only 20 hours.
A production on an impressive scale
84 hours of load-in
20 hours of load-out
More than 150 crew members during setup and dismantling
More than 120 crew members working during the event
17 trucks transporting technical equipment and production materials
236 m² of LED screens with a 3.9 mm pixel pitch
Integration of Lotto Arena's permanent LED ribbon display
The 17 trucks delivered everything from audiovisual equipment and rigging to stage elements, gaming stations, seating and other essential production materials.
The scale and speed of this operation highlight Lotto Arena's ability to accommodate technically demanding productions within tight schedules. Thanks to its flexible configuration, technical infrastructure and experienced operational teams, organisers can make the most of every square metre while keeping complex productions running smoothly.
An immersive experience for live fans and global audiences
At an international esports championship, the action extends far beyond the arena floor. While thousands of fans experience the excitement live, the competition must also reach potentially millions of viewers around the world through digital platforms.
The Fortnite Global Championship was broadcast through Fortnite's international ecosystem, including Twitch, YouTube, TikTok and Fortnite itself.
This dual audience placed significant demands on the technical production. The competition setup needed to deliver an unforgettable in-venue experience while meeting the requirements of a professional international broadcast.
The production featured:
100 individual player cameras
2 camera cranes
3 Steadicam systems
4 broadcast cameras
By combining advanced camera technology, large-scale LED displays, dynamic lighting and a carefully designed competition setup, the production delivered an engaging experience for both the live audience and viewers watching online.
For organisers of esports tournaments, television productions and other major international events, this ability to serve both audiences is essential. Lotto Arena offers the space, infrastructure and technical possibilities to create events that make an impact in the venue and reach audiences around the world.
Everything you need under one roof
Flexible event space. The arena floor can be adapted to accommodate a wide variety of productions, from international championships and large-scale stages to competitive gaming setups and corporate events.
Technical production and broadcasting. The venue's infrastructure supports sophisticated audiovisual productions, multi-camera setups, livestreaming and international broadcasts.
Fan experiences and brand activations. Foyers and public areas provide opportunities for merchandise sales, interactive brand experiences, meet-and-greets and sponsor activations.
VIP and hospitality. Dedicated hospitality areas offer exclusive settings for welcoming sponsors, business clients, partners and special guests.
Food & beverage. Lotto Arena's extensive catering and hospitality operations are equipped to serve large audiences efficiently throughout an event.
Backstage and operational support. Dedicated spaces for performers, players, teams, crew members and organisers help ensure smooth operations behind the scenes.
This versatility makes Lotto Arena much more than a concert or sports venue. From gaming festivals and corporate events to product launches, international conferences and large-scale community gatherings, the arena offers the flexibility to bring a wide range of ambitious event concepts to life.
An experienced venue team you can rely on
Delivering an event of this scale requires close collaboration between the organiser, technical production partners and the venue team.
Throughout the planning and execution of the Fortnite Global Championship, the Lotto Arena team worked hand in hand with BLAST and Epic Games. From the earliest production discussions to the final stages of dismantling, flexibility, hands-on operational support and a solution-oriented mindset were central to the collaboration.
The organiser's feedback speaks for itself.
“It was a real pleasure working with the Lotto Arena team on the Fortnite Global Championship 2026. From the initial planning stages through to event delivery, the team were incredibly supportive, professional and accommodating.
Hosting a major international esports event comes with its own unique challenges, but the venue team worked closely with us to find solutions and ensure everything ran smoothly.
The Lotto Arena is a fantastic venue, and we really appreciated the collaborative approach and commitment from everyone involved. We thoroughly enjoyed our time in Antwerp and would be delighted to work together again in the future.”
Sarah Synan
Head of Event Operations, BLAST
This testimonial highlights the value of having the right local partner. While the right infrastructure is essential, the experience, commitment and flexibility of the venue team can make all the difference when bringing a complex international production to life.
Your next big event deserves an exceptional stage
The Fortnite Global Championship 2026 proved that Lotto Arena is far more than a venue for concerts and sporting events. Combining flexible event spaces, extensive technical capabilities, strong operational support and experience with international productions, the arena provides a solid foundation for ambitious event concepts.
Whether you're planning an esports final, a gaming festival, an international corporate gathering, a product launch or a large-scale live event, Lotto Arena offers the space, infrastructure and expertise to turn your vision into reality.
Looking for the perfect venue for your next event?
Explore the possibilities at Lotto Arena and the other be•at venues. Our team will be happy to help you find the ideal location, venue configuration, technical setup and operational solutions for your production.
Let's make your next event a success.
