After editions in Prague and Sofia in recent years, the celebration of the global escape room community is returning to where it all began. The grand final of the 10th anniversary edition of the Escape Room Championship (ER Champ) will take place in Wrocław this November. The organizers promise the biggest and most spectacular edition in the history of this international competition, which originally grew out of Poland’s national escape room championships.
ER Champ is undoubtedly one of the most recognizable events in the global escape room industry. Thousands of players and hundreds of teams from around the world – from Europe and Asia to North America – regularly participate in its online qualifiers. In previous years, the championship finals were held in cities such as Prague and Sofia, attracting not only the world’s top teams but also escape room creators and fans of immersive entertainment.
– This year’s return to Wrocław for the anniversary edition has both practical and symbolic significance. The very first editions of the competition took place there, back when the event operated under the Poland Escape brand. Equally important is the fact that by organizing the championship on our home turf, with our full infrastructure, trusted partners, and the support of the city at hand, we have the opportunity to create something truly spectacular – and that is exactly our plan. Our partnerships with the Polish Tourism Organisation and the City of Wrocław will certainly help us achieve that – says Bartosz Idzikowski of Lockme, the organizer of the championship.
Importantly, Poland’s representatives will be defending the world championship title after winning last year’s final in Sofia. The reigning champions, a team called “Dziękuj Krystianowi, że do drużyny Cię przyjął” (“Thank Krystian for Letting You Join the Team”), consist of four players: Krystian, Mateusz, Marcin, and Wojciech.
In the final, they defeated eleven other teams from around the world, with Switzerland and France completing the podium. In total, last year’s edition attracted an impressive 709 teams and 2219 competitors.
Slavic legends at the heart of the story
The central theme of ER Champ 2026 will be the world of Slavic myths and ancient beliefs. This year’s storyline draws heavily on the folklore of Central and Eastern Europe, including legends associated with the Lower Silesia region.
– Players will take on the roles of heroes traveling through dark villages, swamps, and forests inhabited by supernatural creatures. The story will revolve around Milena and Sambor, who – with the support of Slavic gods – will guide participants through the various stages of the adventure. Competitors can expect to encounter creatures such as the Bies, the Bog Dweller, and Liczyrzepa. The entire experience is designed to resemble an interactive fantasy adventure combined with competitive escape room gameplay – adds Idzikowski.
Even the first stage of the championship will introduce participants to the legends of Lower Silesia. The main online qualification round, scheduled for June 20, will tell the story of a village terrorized by the mythical Bies. Teams will need to gain the favor of ancient gods and reach the Sacred Mountain, where the fate of the village’s inhabitants will ultimately be decided.
– For the Polish Tourism Organisation, partnering with ER Champ is an opportunity to demonstrate the multidimensional value that international events can bring. Initiatives like this attract participants and audiences from around the world, support local tourism, hospitality, and gastronomy sectors, and strengthen Poland’s recognition as an attractive travel destination. In fact, this is about much more than competition – it is a vehicle for sharing knowledge about our country, its culture, and its heritage. Through the use of Slavic legends, participants will be able to immerse themselves in a story that introduces them to the history, traditions, and imagination of our region. It is a modern and engaging way of telling the story of Poland to the world. Milena and Sambor, the heroes of this year’s edition, will serve as symbolic guides through this reality. They will lead participants not only through the successive stages of the game but also through the rich world of Polish culture and Slavic inspirations – said Aneta Książek, Director of the Meetings and Events Bureau – Poland Convention Bureau at the Polish Tourism Organisation.
The final in Wrocław and specially designed escape rooms
The best teams will meet in Wrocław from November 12 to 14 for the grand final, which will take place in traditional physical escape rooms. Specially designed rooms will be created for the event, continuing the storyline introduced during the online qualifiers.
The organizers are also planning an expanded spectator zone, live online broadcasts, and accompanying events for the escape room industry. Running alongside the finals will be Escape Room Conference 2026, an international conference dedicated to escape room creators and owners from around the world.
– This event is particularly important for our city because the very first edition of the championship took place in Wrocław in 2017. The return of the final to Wrocław also confirms the strength of our local escape room market, which has long been one of the most developed in Poland. Many innovative scenarios and solutions admired by enthusiasts of this form of entertainment were created here, and the room “Abandoned Hotel” remains among the highest-rated escape rooms in the world. The anniversary edition of the championship will also provide another excellent opportunity to promote Wrocław as a city capable of hosting events of global significance – said Kamil Chmiel, Head of Events and Projects at the Wrocław City Office.
How to participate
Participation in the championship is free of charge and open to teams from all over the world.
To enter, participants must create an account on the official ER Champ website, form a team, and join the online qualification round scheduled for June 20, 2026. Teams may consist of two to four members, and the ten highest-scoring teams will advance to the grand final.
More information and the registration form are available on the official ER Champ website: World escape room championship – ER Champ
