Burgschneider Launches Record-Breaking Middle-earth LARP Festival in US

Burgschneider, a German live events and LARP (live-action role-playing) company, has made a remarkable entry into the U.S. market by surpassing its Kickstarter funding goal to launch The Brandywine Festival. This immersive event, held in Harrodsburg, Kentucky, is the first Burgschneider live game in the U.S. and is officially partnered with Middle-earth Enterprises, the rights holder for Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit franchises.

The Kickstarter campaign raised over $529,000 from nearly 1,100 backers, far exceeding the initial $80,000 target. This overwhelming support underscores the growing appetite for live immersive gaming experiences tied to beloved intellectual properties. Scheduled for October 7-12, 2025, the festival promises narrative-driven games inspired by Tolkien’s world, complete with costumes, food, ale, dancing, and fireworks, offering fans a chance to live out their hobbit fantasies.

Founded in 2014, Burgschneider has a rich history in the LARP community, producing high-quality costumes, equipment, and events worldwide. With over 20,000 annual event attendees and a global team spanning Europe, North America, and Asia, the company is uniquely positioned to deliver professional, large-scale immersive experiences. Their acquisition of Live Adventure in 2019, the world’s largest LARP event organizer, further cemented their leadership in the space.

Markus Boehm, CEO of Burgschneider, shares a personal connection to Tolkien’s work, highlighting how it inspired his passion for fantasy role-playing. This passion translates into Burgschneider’s commitment to creating authentic, durable costumes and immersive narratives that blur the line between game and reality. Their events have been described as “popup theme parks,” offering participatory gaming on a grand scale.

The partnership with Middle-earth Enterprises, owned by Embracer Freemode, came after Burgschneider impressed the IP holders with their high-quality Dungeons & Dragons costume line. This collaboration has enabled Burgschneider to bring officially licensed Tolkien-themed live gaming to fans, creating a unique platform for co-creation and fan-driven storytelling.

The Brandywine Festival’s success has revealed a largely untapped market: over 90% of ticket buyers had never attended a LARP event before. This indicates massive growth potential for immersive live gaming experiences, especially those connected to major entertainment brands. Burgschneider plans to expand with more events in North America and Europe, including partnerships with Hasbro and Games Workshop for Dungeons & Dragons and Warhammer-themed games.

Looking ahead, Burgschneider aims to foster co-creation by enabling players to customize costumes and design merchandise, extending fan engagement beyond the events themselves. This approach not only deepens community involvement but also creates sustainable business models around fan-driven content and live immersive experiences.

In summary, Burgschneider’s Brandywine Festival exemplifies the powerful intersection of fandom, immersive technology, and professional event production. By leveraging beloved IPs and delivering high-quality, participatory experiences, they are setting a new standard for live gaming entertainment and opening exciting opportunities for creators and brands alike.