World’s First! Official Aerial Tetris Tournament Is Even More Incredible Than You’d Imagine

Can you believe the day would come when Tetris battles are played in the sky…?
In 2024, the “Red Bull Tetris® World Final” held in Dubai exceeded expectations by a wide margin.
You can’t help but do a double take and think, When did this become reality…?
Here’s a look at the world’s first official aerial Tetris tournament.

What Is the Red Bull Tetris® World Final?

A Tetris Match Set Against the Dubai Frame, with Over 2,000 Drones in the Sky

The “Red Bull Tetris® World Final” is the world’s first official Tetris world championship played in real time in the sky.
The stage was the Dubai Frame, one of Dubai’s most iconic architectural landmarks.
Using the massive structure—approximately 150 meters tall—as a screen, more than 2,000 drones filled the night sky, forming Tetris blocks in midair.

What makes this even more remarkable is that the visuals were not pre-programmed footage.
The gameplay performed by the players was reflected live, in real time, through the drone formations.
Blocks rotated, fell, lines aligned and disappeared—every movement recreated on a colossal canvas in the night sky.
It was truly a sight unlike anything seen before.

As the match heated up, fireworks burst into the air, accompanied by live orchestral music, turning the entire venue into one massive entertainment space.
Few events have achieved such a seamless fusion of esports, urban spectacle, and drone technology.

Organized by Red Bull—Which Explains the Sheer Scale

The mastermind behind this event was Red Bull, a brand renowned for producing boundary-pushing experiences.
True to form, they once again made the audience ask, “They really went that far?”—and meant it.

The tournament used the official competitive game “Red Bull Tetris®,” complete with properly structured rules and formats befitting a world championship.
This was not merely a spectacle, but a fully recognized official global tournament.

Anyone aged 18 or older was eligible to participate.
Players who advanced through national qualifiers gathered in Dubai, drawing worldwide attention as one of the largest global gaming competitions ever staged.

Turkey Takes the Championship!

Adaptability, instant decision-making, and precise control—
the final match was a true battle to determine the most well-rounded Tetris player in the world.
The finalists were Fehmi Atalar of Turkey and Leo Sorozano.

To decide who would go first, the players competed in an off-stage match, which Fehmi Atalar won, choosing to go second.
Starting first, Leo Sorozano skillfully utilized T-Spins and finished his five-minute game with a score of 57,164.

With a clear target to beat, Fehmi Atalar took the stage and delivered an outstanding performance from the opening moments.
By the time two-thirds of the time limit had passed, he had already surpassed his opponent’s score.
He continued to place decisive Tetriminos with precision, ultimately reaching an astonishing 168,566 points.

With this victory, Fehmi Atalar etched his name into Tetris history as the tournament’s first-ever world champion.
After the event, he commented:

“I honestly can’t believe it. It feels like a dream. This event is one of a kind, and it’s the greatest moment of my Tetris career. I played perfectly, like a machine, and didn’t drop a single point in any match. I’m truly happy.”

His words clearly conveyed both the weight of the victory and the uniqueness of the stage.

Japan’s Representative and His Reflections

Representing Japan was AK (19 years old, from Saitama, student).
He advanced through the qualifiers with a strong Top 3 finish, standing shoulder to shoulder with world-class players.
However, in the final tournament, he was narrowly eliminated in the Round of 16.

After the tournament, AK shared:

“It was my first time overseas, so I was nervous. I relaxed a bit at the party on the first day, and during the qualifiers the next day, the venue was in the desert—I was amazed by it. I enjoyed experiences like riding buggies and relaxing by the pool while competing, which helped me achieve good results. In the final tournament, I focused too much on winning, got impatient, and was too nervous to play as I wanted, which led to a frustrating outcome. The Tetris played with drones was something I was really looking forward to, and the fireworks and orchestra made the production incredibly luxurious—I truly wanted to stand on that stage. Red Bull Tetris is a massive event overall—not just because the World Final was held in Dubai, but also because the Japan finals took place at Tokyo Game Show and featured Amemiya Taiyo as a guest. I really hope it will be held again, and next time, I absolutely want to win.”

Despite being just 19, his words reflected the determination of someone who has already experienced the global stage.

In Closing

The “Red Bull Tetris® World Final” was a symbolic event that transformed a universally known game into a vision of future urban entertainment.

Real-time gameplay drawn by 2,000 drones, a final match enhanced by fireworks and a live orchestra, and top players from around the world competing in an official championship—
this tournament truly makes you think, “Esports has come this far?”

What game will rise into the sky next—and in what form?
And will the day come when a Japanese player claims the top spot on this stage?
All eyes are now on what Red Bull Tetris will do next.