Red Bull GIBAWAY’s JOURNEY Event Earns VRS Tier-2 Status, Brings Premium LAN Experience to Åre

Red Bull GIBAWAY’s JOURNEY Event Earns VRS Tier-2 Status, Brings Premium LAN Experience to Åre

Red Bull GIBAWAY is leveling up its renowned CS2 event with JOURNEY, a new, high-end LAN tournament boasting a 100,000 SEK (~$9,000 USD) prize pool and official VRS Tier-2 ranking—an upgrade confirmed by HLTV on September 3, 2025. JOURNEY is organized by Black Molly Entertainment (the same team behind Glitched Masters and Pinnacle Cup) and will take place on November 7–8 in Åre, Sweden. 

A Premium LAN Like No Other

JOURNEY is part of the third edition of Red Bull GIBAWAY, hosted at the picturesque Holiday Club Åre in Northern Sweden. Building on the previous successful editions, this tournament enhances the LAN-party format with sweeping upgrades:

• Fully equipped LAN with over 300 gaming PCs, now expanded to 350 systems, preloaded with powerful hardware like AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D and Radeon 7900XTX paired with 32 GB DDR5 RAM.

• Amenities such as hotel lodging, meals, and a Red Bull GIBAWAY Train—a charter night train taking teams directly from major cities (Malmö, Gothenburg, Stockholm) to Åre in private cabins.

• Event offerings include on-site wellness facilities like sauna worlds, water parks, a SATS gym, and lifestyle activities (hiking, cooking classes) for an immersive getaway feel.

VRS Tier-2 Status and Open Sign-Up

Unlike many top-tier events, JOURNEY mandates no VRS invites or qualifiers—participation is open for any team that registers first-come, first-serve, with no restrictions based on rankings. Seeding will be determined by the first November VRS standings. Red Bull GIBAWAY ensures transparency and openness of entry in accordance with Valve’s evolving landscape. 

Tournament Structure & Team Packages

• Format: Teams are split into four Round Robin groups (BO1). Group winners go straight to the BO3 single-elimination quarterfinals, while second- and third-place teams face off in a BO3 knock-out round to fill the remaining slots.

• Prize Pool Breakdown:

  • 1st: 50,000 SEK

  • 2nd: 25,000 SEK

  • 3rd–4th: 12,500 SEK each

  • Total: 100,000 SEK

• Team Packages (for 5 players + coach):

  • Includes tournament tickets, hotel stay, meals, PC setups, and train transport—priced at around 28,998 SEK (~$2,600). A player-only option (without coach) is available at 24,165 SEK. Extra tickets and rooms can be purchased separately.

Signed Teams and Competitive Landscape

Teams already confirmed through the direct sign-up page include Swedish outfits such as Metizport, EYEBALLERS, Alliance, and Johnny Speeds—showcasing a strong regional turnout. 

A LAN That Marries Fun with Competition

JOURNEY isn’t just another CS2 tournament—it’s redefining what it means to attend a LAN. Going beyond just matches, it blends relaxation, social bonding, high-quality esports, and real-world adventure. Commenting in past Red Bull GIBAWAY events, Red Bull highlighted the nostalgia of nostalgic LAN parties—upgraded with luxurious touches like three-course meals, bars, and scenic settings. 

Summary Table

Feature	Details
Event	Red Bull GIBAWAY JOURNEY (Tier-2 VRS LAN)
Dates & Place	November 7–8, Holiday Club Åre, Sweden
Organizer	Black Molly Entertainment (in partnership with ESPLAY, powered by Bredband2)
Format	Open sign-up, Round Robin groups (BO1), BO3 knockouts into playoffs
Teams Expected	Top Swedish names (Metizport, EYEBALLERS, etc.)
Prize Pool	100,000 SEK total
Included in Package	Hotel, meals, LAN setup, train transport—starting ~24,000 SEK
Extra Perks	Sauna, waterpark, gym, IRL activities, mountain retreat style