DreamHack Birmingham Debuts, ESL One Birmingham Returns
– 2 min read
DreamHack and ESL One are coming to Birmingham, UK, in March 2026. DreamHack Birmingham will be the first ever festival held on UK soil in its 20+ year history. Meanwhile, ESL One returns to the UK for its fourth event, offering a prize pool of $1M.
Two gaming and esports events will take place in Birmingham in 2026: DreamHack Birmingham from 27 to 29 March and ESL One Birmingham from 22 to 29 March. Tickets will go on sale on 23 September 2025.
Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands: "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."
Shahin Zarrabi, VP Festivals at ESL Faceit Group: "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. 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: "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."
NEC Group hosts DreamHack and ESL One Birmingham 2026 at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC), located just minutes from Birmingham Airport. Ian Taylor, Managing Director of the NEC: "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!"
Bobby Hare, Director Host City Partnerships at ESL Faceit Group: "Securing Birmingham as the host city for both DreamHack and ESL One is a huge milestone. 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."
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