It has been ten years since the last DreamHack event landed in the United Kingdom. That freeze is set to thaw next year, as sources close to the event have confirmed to me that DreamHack is coming to Birmingham to play host to a string of high-stakes esports tournaments and the usual array of activations that the brand is known for.
The last time DreamHack came to the United Kingdom was in 2015, when it appeared at the Tobacco Dock venue in London. Recently, the UK has been growing a sizeable footprint in the esports space, and DreamHack will be another arrow in that quiver.
DreamHack Birmingham, Coming March 2026
I’ll preface this with a disclaimer by mentioning that events like this are always subject to change until they’re locked in, guaranteed, and tickets are being sold (and sometimes even not then), so take that into consideration.
I have it on good graces from sources close to the planning and attendance of these events that DreamHack Birmingham will take place on the last weekend of March 2026, most likely spanning March 26 – 29. It has been suggested that it’s most likely to appear at the NEC Arena and the surrounding area.
Now, to the events.
I’ve learned that three major tournaments are the goal for DreamHack Birmingham, but they’re not all aligned just yet. The most solid title appearing at DH Birmingham will be Call of Duty, with the Call of Duty League Major II event taking place across the entire weekend in Birmingham.
This gels with a report I exclusively published recently, revealing that the Call of Duty League is coming to Birmingham and Paris in 2026.
I’ve also been informed that a Dota 2 Major is the second event taking place at DreamHack Birmingham. Unlike the Call of Duty League Major, the Dota 2 Major will take over the BP Pulse Live Arena, which sits just a short walk from the core NEC Arena campus.
This is a nice follow-on from last year’s ESL One Birmingham event, which saw the world’s top teams compete for a $1,000,000 prize pool. It’s also worth noting that it has been five years since the last Call of Duty League event in the United Kingdom.
I’ll dig in and see if I can confirm the third game for you when decisions have been made – stay tuned.
Let me know on the Insider Gaming forum if you plan on attending DreamHack Birmingham in 2026.
For more Insider Gaming coverage, check out the news that new Marathon details have leaked
Grant has been gaming for 30+ years and in the industry for 10+. You'll probably find him playing a post-apocalyptic game or an extraction shooter somewhere.
More from Grant Taylor-Hill
