On October 2-4, 2026, Red Bull GIBAWAY will be held in Skövde. After three previous editions, the event is now moving to Billingehus on Billingen and in the middle of a city where game development, innovation and strong communities are a natural part of everyday life.

Red Bull GIBAWAY is a gaming event that combines LAN with experiences, social activities and environments outside the traditional event arena. For three days, participants gather to play, meet and take part in a program where both digital and physical experiences are in focus.

"Skövde is a place where games are not just played - they are created, developed and shared with the world. Welcoming Red Bull GIBAWAY here is a natural step in continuing to strengthen our position as a gaming city," says Katarina Blad, event manager at Next Skövde.

A natural venue in Skövde

It is no coincidence that the event is being organized in Skövde. The city has a strong position in game development, with an established ecosystem where education, business and creative environments interact. It is home to the University of Skövde, which offers one of the widest ranges of computer game education in northern Europe, and Sweden Game Arena - an internationally recognized cluster for game development.

Several successful game studios have emerged in Skövde, and titles such as Valheim and V Rising, RV There Yet have reached a global audience. This trend continues, with new players and successes strengthening the city's position.

Skövde offers gaming in a new environment

With a view of Skövde from Billingen, a different arena for gaming is created. It combines gaming with nature, movement and recovery in an environment that differs from traditional event halls.

Skövde's location makes it easy to get here, with train connections from Stockholm in about two hours and from Gothenburg in an hour. From the travel center, Billingehus is easily accessible by public transport. For those who want to discover more, Skövde offers a wide range of restaurants, culture, shopping and experiences within short distances.

The event will also offer non-gaming activities, focusing on the overall experience. This could include, for example:

• Spa and recovery
• Cooking activities
• Mountain biking and hiking
• Exercise and wellness
• International presence and future links
  

As part of the event, the Counter-Strike tournament Journey is also organized, where players from different parts of the world participate. The event also creates opportunities to further strengthen the links between gaming culture, education and future talents, not least through collaboration with the University of Skövde.

Read more about the gambling industry in Skövde >>