A gaggle of event organizers in Atlanta, Georgia arrange the first-ever Tekken event held inside an IKEA to advertise the shop’s line of gaming furnishings.
Preventing video games normally depict their characters brawling in all types of untamed places. From the within of an erupting volcano to a ghostly pirate ship, there’s by no means a boring second for the fighters in these video games (or the digital bystanders watching them throw down, for that matter).
Article continues after advert
Preventing sport tournaments are, in essence, no completely different. In truth, a French nursing dwelling firm held a collection of Avenue Fighter 6 tournaments for the aged of their senior residences, with winners incomes a visit to Evo France.
Now, main furnishings retailer IKEA has additionally turn into a event venue, holding its first-ever Tekken event in its Atlanta location on October 28, 2025.
IKEA Atlanta hosted the furnishings model’s first-ever event devoted to Tekken 8 in October 2025.
IKEA turns into a real-life battleground as Tekken gamers face off in retailer
An IKEA Atlanta worker and combating sport fan received the concept to host a Tekken 8 event on their retailer’s showroom flooring to advertise the model’s in depth line of gaming furnishings.
Article continues after advert
Article continues after advert
They labored with native gaming group 4o4esports to acquire consoles and displays, and sourced from their very own inventory of IKEA’s gaming chairs and desks for gamers to sit down in and compete.
In complete, twelve gamers participated within the bracket, with the first-place winner incomes a Huvudspelare desk and chair set — a prize with a mixed worth of $429.
The second and third place winners scored $150 and $75 IKEA reward playing cards, respectively, and all three scored with passes to Atlanta-based fan conference MomoCon in Could 2026.
Article continues after advert
In a press release given to Dexerto, the IKEA worker defined that they’d initially toyed with internet hosting a Tremendous Smash Bros event, however finally selected Tekken 8 resulting from Atlanta’s vibrant neighborhood of aggressive Tekken gamers.
The event, cheekily titled the ‘Brännboll Battle,’ was a one-off occasion, however the people at IKEA ATL need to develop with extra competitions for different video games sooner or later.
Article continues after advert
“When two coworkers pitched the concept to host a gaming event in our retailer, timed with a serious gaming conference in Atlanta, I knew it had the potential to be one thing particular,” Brandon Lomax, Market Supervisor at IKEA US’s Atlanta Market, instructed us.
Article continues after advert
“Their imaginative and prescient was to showcase how IKEA’s vary of dwelling furnishing options might meet the distinctive wants of avid gamers—from ergonomic setups to sensible storage and lighting. The occasion was not solely a inventive option to interact with our neighborhood, but it surely additionally highlighted the flexibility and affordability of our merchandise in a enjoyable and related method.
“The suggestions was overwhelmingly constructive, and I couldn’t be prouder. It’s inspiring to see our coworkers take initiative and discover new methods to attach with prospects, serving to them uncover how IKEA can help their existence in significant and sudden methods.”
Article continues after advert
IKEA Atlanta12 gamers competed in a bracket for reward playing cards and furnishings at IKEA Atlanta.
This small event confirmed simply how inventive and versatile the combating sport neighborhood could be, but it surely’s removed from the primary time gamers have chosen an unconventional location for his or her occasions. In truth, gamers have even thrown down with some Avenue Fighter 6 in the midst of a rave, and Guild Esports even held a contest for the sport in a 150°F “sweat room.”
Article continues after advert
Melty Blood gamers are even recognized for enjoying units within the lavatory — so we’d say an IKEA furnishings retailer is a serious improve.
Article continues after advert
