DreamHack and ESL One (two of the biggest gaming events there are) are coming to Birmingham next year, marking the first ever appearance in its 20 year history.
The event will be happening in March 2026, and the aim is to bring together “all gaming communities to celebrate games, esports and internet pop culture”, says the team behind the reveal.
“Esports has exploded into one of the fastest-growing parts of our economy. Our arenas are buzzing with global fans and players for events like DreamHack and ESL One,” said Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands. “For us it’s much more than entertainment. Our colleges and universities are full of young talent learning the skills to succeed in this multi-billion-pound industry. And with world-class studios already here, and backing from gaming’s biggest names, we’re making the West Midlands the UK’s number one place to create, watch and play esports.”
“The UK has one of the world’s most passionate gaming communities, yet it’s still underserved when it comes to festivals that unite every part of gaming culture.” said Shahin Zarrabi, VP Festivals at ESL FACEIT Group. “That’s why we’re bringing DreamHack to Birmingham — a city with a proven track record and the perfect stage for our UK debut. We’re here for the long term: to invest, grow, and build something even bigger together with the community.”
“Returning to Birmingham with ESL One is a huge moment for us and the Dota 2 community,” said Álvaro Sánchez Velasco, Product Manager Dota 2 at ESL FACEIT Group. “This year is even more special as we join forces with DreamHack to create a truly unique festival atmosphere. We can’t wait to bring the best of Dota 2 esports to a city that has shown us so much passion over the years we’ve been here.”
As you’d imagine, the Birmingham NEC is going to play host to DreamHack. “We’re thrilled to welcome ESL One Birmingham back to the NEC and we’re equally excited to host DreamHack for the very first time,” said Ian Taylor, Managing Director of the NEC. “We’re perfectly located for bringing gaming communities together from across the globe, and we can’t wait to host one of the biggest gaming events in the calendar!”
Here’s the info in a handy digestible format:
DreamHack Birmingham
- Dates: March 27 – 29, 2026
- Location: National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham, UK
- DreamHack is the world’s leading gaming lifestyle festival bringing together all gaming communities to celebrate games and internet pop culture.
- Across three days, DreamHack Birmingham will invite fans to explore esports tournaments, cosplay, live music, creators, tabletop games, and so much more, all in one vibrant, community-driven space.
- The iconic festival comes to the UK following celebrated stints across the globe, including in Europe, North America and Asia.
ESL One Birmingham
Copyright: GroupAdela Sznajder; ESL FACEIT
- Dates: March 22 – 29, 2026.
- Location: bp pulse LIVE in Birmingham, UK.
- ESL One is one of the biggest and renowned Dota 2 tournament series that brings together the best teams and players from around the world.
- 16 teams will compete in a round robin format, with 8-team double-elimination Playoffs.
- The final three days of the competition will take place in front of a live audience.
DreamHack 3-day tickets start at £39.00 during the first two weeks and will be priced from £59.00 thereafter. ESL One guaranteed seating starts at £89.00 for all three days, with add-ons also available.
