DreamHack is described as the ‘Glastonbury of gaming’ and brings together gaming communities in a celebration of games, esports and internet pop culture
ESL One is coming to Birmingham(Image: ESL One)
The world’s largest gaming festival, DreamHack, is set to make its UK debut in Birmingham.
Often referred to as the ‘Glastonbury of gaming’, DreamHack unites gaming communities in a celebration of games, esports and internet pop culture.
From 27th to 29th March 2026, fans will gather for tournaments, cosplay, live music, creator interactions and tabletop games in a space designed specifically for the community. As part of the festival, ESL One will be held in the UK for the fourth time, featuring 16 of the world’s top Dota 2 teams competing for a £740k ($1m) prize pool
Dota 2 is a globally popular online, free-to-play multiplayer battle game. Despite its over 20-year history, DreamHack has never been hosted in the UK, a region described as ‘underserved’ in terms of gaming festivals.
Participants sit at computer monitors to play video games at the 2018 DreamHack video gaming festival(Image: Getty Images)
Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, stated that the festival is ‘more than entertainment’. He said, “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.”
He added, “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.”, reports Birmingham Live.
“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.”
Shahin Zarrabi, vice president at ESL FACEIT Group, commented: “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.”
He continued: “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.”
Álvaro Sánchez Velasco, product manager Dota 2 at ESL FACEIT Group, remarked: “Returning to Birmingham with ESL One is a huge moment for us and the Dota 2 community.
“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.”
Ian Taylor, managing director of the NEC stated: “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.
“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.”
The esports phenomenon continues to dominate across Europe, with participant figures projected to hit almost 24 million by 2029.
DreamHack festivals draw in excess of 200,000 attendees worldwide, whilst attracting tens of millions more through digital platforms. ESL One Birmingham drew in a crowd of over 18,000 global fans at BP Pulse Live last year, boasting a peak viewership exceeding 327,000.
“Securing Birmingham as the host city for both DreamHack and ESL One is a huge milestone,” Bobby Hare, director Host City Partnerships at ESL FACEIT Group chimed in.
He added: “Over the past 12 months, the West Midlands Growth Company and the NEC Group have been incredibly supportive partners, and we’re excited to be back in Birmingham. The city’s vibrant gaming community and our shared vision for long-term growth make it the perfect home to deliver unforgettable experiences for UK fans.”
Tickets will be up for grabs from Tuesday, September 23 at 3pm on the DreamHack website and the ESL One website.
For the first fortnight, three-day tickets for DreamHack are going for £39, after which they’ll set you back £59. If you want guaranteed seating for ESL One, you’re looking at shelling out £89 for the full three days.
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