Amazing National Finals changed the game

After more than 7m Red Bull Tetris® qualifier games were played around the world, the very best of the best players in 60 countries faced off at their respective National Finals. At stake: the chance to represent their country at the World Final in Dubai.

Whether the action was in India or Italy, Canada or the Czech Republic, each country put its own stamp on the tournament with unforgettable audience experiences. Here are just a few:

The National Final took place not only in the heart of Austria’s capital city, but also in the heart of the country’s largest gaming festival, Game City Vienna. Held at the spectacular Rathaus (City Hall), the Red Bull Tetris showdown was nothing short of electric, while the atmosphere also included music, BMX demos by Senad Grosic and more.

The scene outside the Rathaus

An eye-popping National Final in Hollywood, Florida, USA took place at an engineering marvel – the guitar-shaped Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino – where the competitors’ stage appeared to be suspended over the water of a jaw-dropping pool area as they battled to determine a winner. Parkour demos and a drone delivery of the winner’s trophy only added to the spectacle.

Players react on the US stage

Egypt’s National Final served up a creative playground for competitors and spectators alike at Cairo’s Boom Room, a 2,000-square-metre social entertainment venue. In an immersive experience, the enthusiastic crowd watched the blistering-fast gameplay while surrounded by Tetris-inspired figures and mini games to try, and they could even test their skills at the wheel of an official Red Bull F1 simulator.

At the controls of the F1 simulator

More national final scenes from around the world:

At the US event, the winner’s trophy was delivered by drone

Fans packed Lima’s Barranco Convention Center for Peru’s National Final

Spectators enjoy the vibe at the Czech National Final in Prague

The best in Hong Kong took centre stage at the new Mong Kok T.O.P. mall

Senad Grosic takes off at the Austrian National Final in Vienna

That feeling when you realise you’ll be representing the UK in Dubai

Tetrimino cosplay at the Greek National Final, held at an arcade museum

Picnicking while watching elite gameplay made for a fun night out in Taiwan

India’s National Final was a highlight of DreamHack in Hyderabad

Stunned spectators react to the gameplay at the US National Final

The 1960s modernist façade of São Paulo’s Gazeta Building was transformed into the perfect stage for Brazil’s National Final. Spectators lined Avenida Paulista, the city’s grandest thoroughfare, to watch the drama unfold, enjoying the spring weather, live music and intense gameplay as the head-to-head matchups narrowed the field to crown a winner.

The view from Avenida Paulista

Top Canadian players stacked their way toward the national title as Toronto’s state-of-the-art Illuminarium venue was transformed into a one-of-a-kind Tetris arena. Spectators gaped as cutting-edge projection displayed the live gameplay on every towering wall, while the DJ debuted a track made especially for the event with sampled vocals by record-setting creator Ludwig.

DJ Bishu plays a set in Toronto

Italy’s national showdown was a highlight of the annual Lucca Comics and Games convention – the largest comics festival in Europe – where visitors had a chance to compete in a special Red Bull Tetris qualifier to earn the last remaining slot in the National Final. Then, the country’s top players faced off while the public watched every move on a massive screen that was specially built for the event.

Gaming fans watch the action unfold at the National Final in Italy

The last National Final of the tournament was held on the banks of the Seine on November 29, at the François Mitterrand site of the French National Library in Paris. As the 1v1 gameplay was projected onto the iconic 24-storey towers, the rotating and falling Tetriminos made the City of Light even brighter.

The French National Final could be seen from across the Seine

The most incredible showdown is still to come, as the Red Bull Tetris World Final takes off in Dubai with over 2,000 drones creating the first official live playable Tetris game in the sky. Get all the World Final news and updates here.

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Red Bull Tetris®What is Red Bull Tetris®?Red Bull Tetris® World FinalThe best players from 60 countries will battle it out in Dubai to crown the first-ever Red Bull Tetris® global winner, featuring the first official live playable Tetris game in the sky and lots more!

Amazing National Finals changed the game

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