Festival smashes attendance records as 2027 date announced

It’s coming back next year. Gaming festival DreamHack is to return to Birmingham’s NEC in April 2027.

This comes after its UK debut drew more than 54,000 fans from 65 countries, shattering the 32-year-old festival’s record for inaugural regional attendance as gamers from around the world competed for £1.3m of prize money.

ESL FACEIT Group, the organisers, confirmed April 2 to 4 as the 2027 dates as this year’s edition drew to a close, describing the Birmingham event as “a new gold standard.”

Creators and competition

More than 800 internet personalities attended the three-day festival, including YouTube collective the Sidemen’s Miniminter, Zerkaa and TBJZL, alongside creators Angryginge, Heinz and Jakey of The Bov Boys. 

Thousands of fans secured face-to-face meet-and-greet sessions across the weekend.

Sixty partners, exhibitors and vendors powered the festival floor, with global brands including Red Bull, Samsung, DHL and Formula 1 showcasing the latest in gaming innovation, organisers said.

Prize money and performance

Elite esports teams competed for a collective prize pool of £1.3m across titles including Call of Duty, Dota 2 and F1 Sim Racing, while world-class cosplayers competed for a share of an £8,000 prize.

Shahin Zarrabi, VP of Festivals at ESL FACEIT Group, said: “The success of DreamHack Birmingham 2026 proves that the UK has been looking for a gaming epicentre. 

“By committing to Birmingham for 2027, we are looking to establish a lasting legacy that sets a new gold standard.”