DreamHack and ESL One, two of the world’s biggest events in gaming and esports, will be coming to Birmingham in March 2026. DreamHack Birmingham will be the first ever festival held on UK soil in its 20+ year history, bringing together all gaming communities to celebrate games, esports and internet pop culture. Featuring one of the most prestigious esports tournaments, ESL One, returns to the UK for its fourth iteration, with a $1M prize pool, showcasing 16 of the world’s best Dota 2 teams.
Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, 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. 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 rapidly established itself as one of Europe’s fastest-growing esports markets, with revenues set to hit $250.7 million in 2025 and user numbers projected to reach nearly 24 million by 2029 (Statisa, 2025). Home to nearly 40 million gamers nationwide, esports is now both a cultural and economic force in the UK — and DreamHack festivals, which reach over 200,000 visitors globally and tens of millions online.
Ian Taylor, Managing Director of the NEC, said, “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”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!”
Highlights for DreamHack Birmingham include:
- Dates: March 27 – 29, 2026
- Location: National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham, UK
- 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.
Highlights fo ESL One Birmingham:
- Dates: March 22 – 29, 2026.
- Location: bp pulse LIVE in Birmingham, UK.
- 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.
Tickets can be purchased at dreamhack.com/birmingham and esl-one.com/birmingham.
