Image credit: Em Stonham for Kyusai
When’s the last time you heard about an esports event taking place in the Royal Albert Hall? It seems like an odd pairing at first, but based on my time at the Red Bull Wololo: Londinium Age of Empires Grand Finals, I can confirm – it’s a dreamy combination as an esports geek.
During my time at Londinium, I got to chat with key players and folks involved in the tournament, all while exploring Royal Albert Hall and listening to the spectacular Age of Empires score, courtesy of the incredible orchestra on stage.
Ridiculously beautiful
The Grand Finals for Red Bull Wololo: Londinium took place on April 6, 2026, featuring the best players for both Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition and Age of Empires IV, facing off on the Royal Albert Hall’s main stage.
Not only did the final matches take place here, but the event was also accompanied by a live orchestra, adding a regal air to the proceedings.
The Age of Empires soundscape has always been beautiful, based on my time in the franchise, but hearing it live while watching some of the best players in the world face off in their game of choice made for a magical experience.
For Age of Empires IV, players Wam01 and MarineLorD faced off, with both players putting on a spectacular performance. MarineLorD ended up coming out on top, and I had the opportunity to chat with him after his victory, learning more about how he keeps himself in a good headspace for tournaments.
The finals for Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition were just as electric, if not more so, with iconic players Liereyy and Hera going toe to toe for the championship.
It was a nail-biting final run, with both players showing off exactly how they made it to the Grand Finals. Hera ended up pulling off a ridiculous reverse sweep to claim the top spot, making for a surreal moment for the fans in the room.
Something that stood out to me with the gameplay side of the event was the sheer level of production value. Instead of players drafting their picks digitally, an ornate wooden set piece was wheeled out, with shelves of ornamental trophies for players to choose from, each representing their picks.
The hosts and casters wore fantastic costumes, too, and before the matches began, the players walked out with flag-bearers behind them, making the proceedings feel even more dramatic.
Intricate and intense gameplay
The final matches were split between Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition and Age of Empires IV, meaning there were two intriguing matches to watch as the event unfolded. Both have strikingly different playstyles, but were equally intense and exciting to watch.
I’m a big fan of games like Age of Empires, having dipped my toe into the strategy game pool well over a decade ago, but it was my first time seeing a tournament in person.
I had wondered how well the gameplay would translate into a live setting, but it was genuinely nerve-wracking watching each match tick over into its final stages. There are so many ways to win in games like Age of Empires, after all, so seeing these players try to outsmart each other was incredible.
Despite only being a casual Age of Empires player, I found the event to be genuinely heart-warming as an esports lover, too.
Hearing the crowd roar and buzz with excitement as the matches for each game unfolded was electric, and listening to the beautiful Age of Empires score throughout the event gave me goosebumps.
The thing that stood out to me above everything else, though, was seeing the excited fans celebrating with their friends and eagerly discussing matches. There were folks in incredible cosplays and historically accurate costumes, fans of just one game or both, or friends coming to support their loved ones.
Everywhere I went during the event – be that the stands, the venue floor, or even the bar – there was a heavy layer of excitement and anticipation woven into the atmosphere, like a heavily caffeinated tapestry.
There’s an incredible community surrounding most esports, and the Age of Empires scene is no different. The Red Bull Wololo: Londinium Age of Empires Grand Finals highlighted just how beautiful an esports event can be, not just in its gorgeous setting and music, but also in how it can bring people together and help them celebrate.
FAQs
The Red Bull Wololo: Londinium Age of Empires Grand Finals event took place on April 6, 2026 at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
Players can compete in either Age of Empires IV or Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition if they’re dead set on securing a spot in Wololo history.
Yes, absolutely. There are multiple ways for players to win and outwit their opponents, making for consistently engaging viewing.
The best strategy games include Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition, Age of Empires IV, Civilization V, Crusader Kings 3, and Europa Universalis V.
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