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 time the festival will be 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, which 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 (Statista, 2025) and user numbers projected to reach nearly 24 million by 2029 (Statisa, 2025). Home to nearly 40 million gamers nationwide (Statista, 2024), 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, are perfectly positioned to bring this vibrant community together on one stage.

The NEC Birmingham and bp pulse LIVE offer two of the UK’s largest and most versatile event venues, operated by the NEC Group. Conveniently located just minutes from Birmingham Airport, the venues welcome seven million visitors each year to hundreds of live events and trade shows.

Councillor Karen Grinsell, Leader of Solihull Council, said:

I’m delighted that we are welcoming yet another huge Esports event to the NEC in Solihull, building on our reputation as the UK’s top Esports destination. We've shown time and time again that we can leverage our prime location, excellent facilities and the growing digital and creative sector here to make these events a real success, while also bringing huge economic benefits to our hospitality and visitor economy.

Shahin Zarrabi, VP Festivals at ESL FACEIT Group, said:

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, said:

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, 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. 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, said:

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.