
Behind the Scenes: From Sleepless Night to Afterparty
Go behind the scenes of ER Champ Finals 2025 - from livestream setup and crew challenges to last-minute prep, teamwork, and technical innovation.
Organizing the Livestream
The livestream is one of the most technically demanding aspects of the Finals. Behind every broadcast are hundreds of kilograms of equipment, kilometers of cables, and a dedicated crew of sound, light, video, and streaming specialists. For the third year in a row, we are working with Tutek Live, a professional team experienced in managing live events under time pressure.
This year brings a new approach to filming. In previous editions, camera operators worked inside the rooms, closely following the players. For 2025, cameras will be built into the walls, while overhead shots will provide a fresh perspective. This change gives players more space and reduces the stress of being followed by a camera during the game.
The broadcast is directed from a separate control room, where technicians manage what viewers see on stream. Alongside it, a dedicated commentator studio hosts live analysis, interviews, and conversations with guests. Together, these elements make the Finals both a competition and a live show.
The People Behind the Finals
Beyond the technical crew, dozens of people contribute to making the Finals possible. The ER Champ team works throughout the year to prepare the event, while additional helpers join on-site in Sofia. These include members of the Program Team, local game masters, and volunteers from the ER community.
Their tasks range from refereeing inside the rooms and assisting finalists, to running the Fan Zone, coordinating the conference, welcoming guests, and producing audiovisual content. It is a collective effort where every role matters.
Challenges Along the Way
No large-scale event is free of challenges. The Finals require long hours, little sleep, and constant problem-solving. Unexpected issues - technical malfunctions, equipment breakdowns, or small room defects - can occur at any time. The key is solving them quickly and discreetly, ensuring that the flow of the event is not disrupted.
While every year brings surprises, none have been serious enough to halt the Finals. On the contrary, the ability of the crew to adapt under pressure is what keeps the event running smoothly.
The Final Countdown
The last days before the Finals are a race against time. Escape rooms, built specifically for the event, must be transported to the venue, reassembled, and tested once more. The Fan Zone and conference areas are set up, decorations prepared, and afterparty details finalized.
During this stage, everyone helps wherever needed. Even though each person has a designated role, the reality is often more flexible - people step in across areas to make sure every element is ready. After the Finals conclude, the work does not stop: there is still packing, dismantling, and cleaning before the long journey home.
What Comes Next
Each edition of ER Champ is also a step forward in technology and design. The 2025 Finals bring significant improvements to the escape rooms themselves, with new mechanisms and player-focused adjustments. Feedback from past finalists plays an important role in these changes, and we continually aim to refine both puzzles and the overall experience.
As for the future, the only certainty is that preparations will start again soon after this year’s Finals end. For now, the focus remains on Sofia and ensuring that the 2025 edition is a worthy continuation of the championship’s history.
Want to know more? Ask us in Sofia!
With both parts of Behind the Scenes, we hope to give you a glimpse of the scale, effort, and teamwork behind the ER Champ Finals. What happens on stage and on stream is only the tip of the iceberg - the real story lies in months of preparation, countless people, and the drive to create a unique global competition.
If you have any questions or are curious about specific steps in preparing for the ER Champ finals, find us at The Pugratory during the event and ask! We'd be happy to answer your questions and share some behind-the-scenes secrets.