Sidemen Headline UK's First 'Glastonbury of Gaming' at Birmingham NEC
Gaming enthusiasts flocked to Birmingham's National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in massive numbers this weekend for DreamHack, the UK's debut 'Glastonbury of gaming.' The three-day event, which kicked off on Friday, March 29, 2026, attracted thousands of visitors to the West Midlands, marking a significant milestone for the UK gaming community.
DreamHack Makes Its UK Debut
This was the first time DreamHack has been held in the United Kingdom, after previously taking place in international hotspots such as Atlanta, Stockholm, Bucharest, and Valencia. The festival allows people to celebrate gaming culture through a variety of activities, including creator experiences, meet and greets, cosplay competitions, indie games, and esports tournaments.
The Sidemen Take Center Stage
On Saturday, attendees were treated to an exclusive takeover by The Sidemen, a popular group of content creators. Simon (Miniminter), Josh (Zerkaa), and Tobi (TBJZL) headlined the event, delivering high-stakes gaming sessions and engaging fan interactions that drew large crowds.
Other Notable Appearances
Friday's event featured appearances from I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! winner Angry Ginge, alongside Heinz and Jakey from the Bov Boys. These personalities added to the vibrant atmosphere, offering fans unique opportunities to connect with their favorite creators.
Final Day Highlights
For those attending the third and final day, several exciting activities were available:
- A Fall Guys tournament with a chance to win a £50 merchandise voucher.
- ARC Raiders and Fortnite leaderboard challenges, offering prizes including a Razer BlackShark V3 Pro headset (worth £249.99) and a Razer Raiju V3 Pro controller (worth £199.99).
- A Disney fan meet-up and a Star Wars and Galactic Fandoms Unite event, where attendees could meet fellow fans and cosplayers for chats and photos.
DreamHack's arrival in Birmingham highlights the city's growing role as a hub for major cultural and entertainment events, bringing together gaming communities from across the region and beyond.
