DreamHack Gaming Festival Makes UK Debut in Birmingham with Massive Crowd
The world's largest gaming festival, DreamHack, is set to launch in Birmingham this weekend, drawing an estimated 50,000 attendees to the city. Celebrated as the 'Glastonbury of gaming,' this three-day extravaganza marks its first-ever UK appearance in its two-decade history, taking place at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) from Friday, March 27.
Star-Studded Lineup and Festival Highlights
Among the confirmed appearances are notable celebrities from the gaming world, including Angryginge, winner of I'm A Celebrity and a YouTube sensation who also starred in the Sidemen reality show Inside. The Sidemen group is also featured on the bill, adding to the festival's appeal as a celebration of games, esports, and online pop culture.
Cosplay is strongly encouraged at the event, meaning visitors can expect to see fans dressed in elaborate costumes inspired by their favorite characters and franchises throughout the city. The festival aims to showcase that gaming is more than just a hobby, with the Call of Duty League Major II competition offering a substantial prize pool of $365,000, approximately £272,434 for the winner.
Economic Impact and Regional Support
When DreamHack was announced, Mayor of the West Midlands Richard Parker emphasized its significance beyond entertainment. He stated, "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."
Parker added, "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. 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."
Event Schedule and Ticket Information
The festival kicks off on Friday at 12pm, running until 9pm. Saturday's hours are from 10am to 9pm, and the final day on Sunday will last from 10am to 8pm. The NEC has been meticulously mapped out with various zones and areas for meet-ups, gaming sessions, and a creator stage for panels and discussions.
Tickets are still available, with day passes starting from £30 and full weekend options from £99. Family passes and discounts for groups are also offered, making the event accessible to a wide audience.
