Gaming history has officially been made. Dubai has hosted the world’s first Red Bull Tetris World Final, crowning Türkiye’s Fehmi Atalar as the inaugural world champion after an unforgettable, high-stakes showdown featuring national champions from 60 countries.
Staged against the iconic Dubai Frame, the event transformed one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks into the world’s first playable Tetris game in the sky, blending competitive esports, cutting-edge drone technology and live spectacle on an unprecedented scale.
A world-first Tetris tournament in the sky
In the lead-up to the grand final, national winners from across the globe took part in online seeding rounds to determine their match placements. The competition then moved to Dubai, where players faced off in intense 1v1 duels at the desert venue Terra Solis, setting the stage for a truly historic finale.
On December 13, the World Final came to life through a jaw-dropping drone show by Lumasky, whose record-breaking technology turned the night sky into a fully playable Tetris canvas. Using more than 2,000 synchronised drones, the Dubai Frame became the backdrop for the first live, large-scale Tetris match ever played in the air.
Fehmi Atalar vs Leonardo Solórzano: a final for the ages
The climactic final saw Fehmi Atalar face off against Leonardo Solórzano of Peru in a tense head-to-head battle. The opening match decided who would play first on the Dubai Frame, with Fehmi taking the win and strategically choosing to go second to observe his opponent’s approach.
Each finalist had five minutes to play a solo, drone-powered Tetris match, with thousands of drones assembling blocks live in the sky — visible from miles around.
Leonardo showcased a calm, calculated playstyle, relying on advanced T-Spin techniques to rack up an impressive 57,164 points. Fehmi, meanwhile, started cautiously before accelerating midway through his run, overtaking Leonardo’s score with two-thirds of the time still remaining.
By the final countdown, Fehmi had reached a staggering 168,566 points, securing his place in gaming history as the first-ever Red Bull Tetris World Final Champion.
Reflecting on his victory, Fehmi said:
“I said after the semi-finals that if I win it will be a huge achievement for my country and myself. It feels surreal. Over these five years of Tetris experience, this was the best moment. This event was truly one of a kind.”
More than a tournament: a full-scale spectacle
The Red Bull Tetris World Final weekend delivered far more than competitive gameplay. In a breathtaking display of bravery, professional BASE athletes Dani Roman and Darren Burke leapt from 150 metres off the top of the Dubai Frame, landing safely on stage below.
Music also played a key role in the celebration. Artist El Waili, alongside the Firdaus Orchestra, performed a reimagined Tetris soundtrack that fused futuristic electronic beats with classical orchestral elements — a live tribute to the game’s evolution and enduring legacy.
Fans attending in Dubai, as well as viewers watching globally, were treated to immersive experiences that cemented the event as one of the most ambitious gaming spectacles ever staged.
Why the Red Bull Tetris World Final matters
By merging esports, live performance, drone innovation and iconic architecture, the Red Bull Tetris World Final pushed the boundaries of what competitive gaming can be. It also highlighted Tetris’ continued relevance more than four decades after its creation.
To find out more about Red Bull Tetris and the World Final in Dubai, visit the official site: https://www.redbull.com/tetris
