Live gaming and esports, with the audience at the heart of the action

RESPAWN is Universum’s concept dedicated to gaming, esports and the communities that form around them.

The competition moves off-screen and becomes a live show, and the audience can move seamlessly from the matches on stage to the free-play areas, challenges and experiences developed in collaboration with partner brands.

The first edition took place in 2026 at HALO Events Center in Bucharest. Over the course of two days, players, teams, creators and fans shared the same space, in a format that combined competition, gaming and the energy of the community.

The competition moves beyond the screen

Super DraculaN took centre stage at the 2026 edition. The seventh edition of the Tier 2 Counter-Strike 2 tournament brought 16 international teams to the RESPAWN stage.

The matches were supported by technical production and event management, in a setup designed for the pace and pressure of live competition.

The experience extended beyond the CS2 arena to include League of Legends, VALORANT, EA SPORTS FC (formerly FIFA) and Brawl Stars, along with free-play sessions, 1v1 and 2v2 challenges, and meet-and-greets with content creators.

The audience gets involved

RESPAWN does not draw a strict line between players and spectators. Participants were able to watch matches, enter competitions, try out games and equipment, or meet the creators they follow.

The format isn’t just aimed at those who play at a competitive level. Fans, those who come to see the creators, and the audience drawn by the atmosphere of a live event all find their own way to get involved.

Brands become part of the experience

At RESPAWN, a brand’s presence can go beyond a logo. Brand activations and BTL can take the form of gaming corners, product testing sessions, challenges or spaces where the product becomes part of the audience experience.

Through content creation and multimedia production, moments from the event can live on across screens and digital channels.

For Universum, RESPAWN brings together live production, content and interaction between brands and the community in a single format.

The agenda, access details and up-to-date information for each edition are available on the official RESPAWN website

Participants in the gaming area at RESPAWN
Audience reactions during the RESPAWN competition
Esports player at RESPAWN
Celebration on the RESPAWN stage
Participant using the racing simulator in the RESPAWN area
Gaming stations in the RESPAWN esports arena
Players competing at RESPAWN
Audience watching the live competition at RESPAWN
Interview on the RESPAWN esports stage
RESPAWN gaming event stage and audience

Part of the
ecosystem

Facts & Stats

  • 2 days. Gaming became a live spectacle.

    Esports competitions, free play, content creators and activations came together to create an experience built for the gaming community.

  • 16 international teams. One arena.

    The seventh edition of Super DraculaN brought 16 international Counter-Strike 2 teams to RESPAWN.

  • 5 games. Different communities, the same lobby.

    CS2, League of Legends, VALORANT, FIFA and Brawl Stars brought together different audiences and playing styles.

  • 1v1, 2v2 and team competitions.

    The audience was able to watch the main competition and take part directly in challenges and events open to the community.

  • 360Β°. Competition at the centre of the experience.

    The continuous 360Β° LED screen at HALO Events Center transformed the arena into a visual spectacle built around the competition.

FAQ

RESPAWN is a gaming and esports event that combines live competitions, free-play zones, content creators, interactive experiences and brand activations.

No. The CS2 competition was one of the main features of the first edition, but the event also included League of Legends, VALORANT, FIFA, Brawl Stars, free-play sessions and meet-and-greets with the creators.

The event is aimed at gamers, esports fans, gaming communities, content creators and anyone who wants to discover gaming in a live setting.

No. RESPAWN features both competitions and challenges for players, as well as experiences for spectators who want to watch the matches, try out games or meet people from the community.

The line-up may vary from one edition to the next. The 2026 edition featured CS2, League of Legends, VALORANT, FIFA and Brawl Stars.

Conditions vary depending on the game and format. The rules, registration details, available places and deadlines are published alongside the schedule for each edition.

Partnerships may include activations, gaming corners, product testing, challenges, content and the integration of the brand into the participants’ experience. The format is determined based on the objectives, the product and the audience.

The date, venue, schedule and access information are announced on the RESPAWN website and official channels.