News
Thon Hotels and Metizport launch “LANDING: ZONE”, a long-term event concept for gaming and esport
February 4, 2026

Together with Thon Hotels, we are very happy to announce a new comprehensive event concept bringing together gaming, esports, content creation and social gathering, all in a professional and engaging structure. The concept is planned to be a long-term initiative and investment, with the head goal being to establish a new arena for gaming and digital entertainment in Norway.

 

“LANDING: ZONE” will take place at Thon Hotel Oslo Airport from February 19 to 21. We are certain that it will be an important addition to the esports and gaming calendar for Norway, where traditionally most of the events have happened in late autumn. This is widely an investment towards strenghtening the national esports scene in Norway and giving it a necessary push in order to reach higher levels both on an international and nationwide level.

 

Stian Bergerud of Thon Hotels has this to say:

“LANDING: ZONE is built as a brand, not just an event. The goal is to create an experience that can evolve and scale over time. We see this as an important platform for the entire gaming universe, from e-sports and digital experiences to music, creative expression, and new cultural forms. LANDING: ZONE will become a place where interests meet, concepts are tested, and audiences experience everything happening at this exciting intersection. We start the journey in 2026 and will continue developing it in the years ahead.”

 

Layout of the event

 

 

A distinct universe with inspiration from an airport environment

 

The entire LANDING: ZONE theme evolves around an airport and travel environment, where the names, the visual identity, and the design of the experiences interact across the entire three-day event. The various tournaments and activities are individually branded parts of this “universe”.

 

  • Runway Rumble, a Super Smash Bros tournament
  • De_airport Masters, a CS2 tournament organized by Esplay
  • Dedicated areas and concepts for content creators, streamers and other profiles as well as socializing zones and evening events 

 

The airport and traveling theme is actively used to create recognition, clear storytelling, and a continuously engaging experience for the audience. At the same time, the “universe” provides good flexibility to expand with more tournaments, expo areas, and concepts in the upcoming years.

 
Stian Bergerud continues:
 
“With LANDING: ZONE, we want to build a concept that lives over time and delivers value commercially, culturally, and socially. This is not a one-off event, but a long-term push and investment towards a rapidly growing culture.”
 
 

Promotion art for the event, playing on the airport and traveling theme

 

 

Pilot in 2026 with major ambitions

 
The first edition of LANDING: ZONE will be a pilot project, with a minimum age limit of 18. The pilot year will be used to test the model for format, content, and the commercial side, with the aim of developing the event into a full-scale concept in the years ahead.
 
 
During the 2026 pilot year, LANDING: ZONE will host its own activities, but also events in collaboration with external partners on site. There will be 115,000 NOK (~$11,925) up for grabs in esports tournaments, with the CS2 tournament De_Airport Masters having a prize pool of 100,000 NOK (~$10,362) and Smash tournament Runway Rumble offering 15,000 NOK (~$1,554).
 
 
From 2027 to 2029, the ambition is to build a significant expo and partner area, where brands, technology companies, and organizations will have an arena for activation, visibility, and direct engagement with the audience.
 

Arjan, Perry and Herman, the commercial powerhouses in Metizport

 

 

 

A broad and balanced event

 

LANDING: ZONE is assembled to embrace the full width of gaming and its culture, combining competition and entertainment while also acting as an excellent social arena for people of all ages.
The overall concept has been consciously developed to balance the professional and the inclusive, as well as the competitive and the social aspects.
 
“Many events today are either purely competitive or purely audience festivals. LANDING: ZONE is designed to bring together the entire ecosystem around games and gaming in one cohesive experience.” 
-Metizport’s CEO, Arjan Sydhagen Dalsøren.
 
 

You can secure your tickets on the event website. (clickable link)
Use code “LandingZone15” for 15% off!