DreamHack has unveiled the esports line-up for its historic UK debut, bringing more than $1.7 million in esports prize money and the world’s elite pro players to NEC Birmingham from 27-29 March 2026.
The festival will play host to world-famous esports competitors across 8 high-stakes titles - including Dota 2’s largest global tournament, ESL One, Call of Duty League® Major II, the new Call of Duty: Warzone Resurgence Series Birmingham LAN finals, DreamHack Open ft. Halo Infinite, and Road to the Esports World Cup 2026 qualifiers in FATAL. FURY: City of the Wolves, Street Fighter 6, and Trackmania.
Across all events, global esports teams, rising talent, and grassroots players will compete for nearly $1.7 million in cash prizes, making DreamHack Birmingham one of the largest single-location esports prize pools ever staged in the UK, along with international recognition and qualification for global championships. The headline tournaments, prize pools, and top competitors set to take the stage at DreamHack Birmingham:
ESL One Birmingham: $1,000,000 Dota 2 Prize Pool - ESL One Birmingham will host 16 of the world’s best Dota 2 teams across a two-group round robin stage and double-elimination playoffs inside the bp pulse LIVE arena. The prize pool totals $1,000,000, with $290,000 awarded to the champion, $130,000 to second place, and $105,000 to third place including club rewards. Qualified teams include ESL One Raleigh 2025 champions, Parivision, five-time Dota Major winners, OG, as well as Virtus.pro, Team Spirit, Team Falcons and Tundra Esports, among other top international contenders.
A full roster of participating teams is available on the ESL One DreamHack site.
Call of Duty League Major II: $365,000 Prize Pool - 12 of the world’s top franchised teams competing in a double-elimination bracket. The prize pool includes $150,000 to the champion, $90,000 to second, and $50,000 to third. The top 2 teams from the Birmingham Challengers Open will qualify for the CDL Pro-Am Major III, offering grassroots teams a chance to play against the best tier 1 players. Notable teams competing include OpTic, FaZe, Cloud9, G2, and KOI.
A full roster of participating teams is available on the CDL Major II DreamHack site.
DreamHack Open ft. Halo Infinite: $100,000 Prize Pool for all activity - 32-team open bracket, last-chance qualifiers, pool play, and an 8-team double-elimination championship bracket for the Halo Infinite 4v4 main event. $100,000 prize pool for all tournaments including Halo Infinite 4v4 ($86,000), Halo Infinite FFA ($5,000), Halo Infinite 2v2 ($2,500), and legacy Halo 3 & Halo 5 competitions ($2,500 in total).
Pre event online open series events and a qualifiers ($4,000)
Teams wishing to compete in the main tournament are able to purchase a Team Pass, while side tournaments are free to enter with a valid DreamHack festival ticket, available on a first-come, first-served basis.
More information available on the DreamHack site.
Call of Duty: Warzone Resurgence Series (COD:WRS) Birmingham LAN Finals: $100,000 Prize Pool - DreamHack Birmingham hosts the year’s first live Call of Duty®: WRS event of 2026, featuring a 32-team open bracket leading into a 16-team Match Point Finals. 32-team Open on Day 1, from which the top 6 teams advance to Day 2, which features a 16-team Match Point Finals, combining the 6 Open qualifiers with 10 teams from the Call of Duty: WRS Birmingham Online Qualifiers in North America and Europe.
The top 4 teams from the LAN Finals hosted at DreamHack Birmingham, alongside an additional 5 teams from DreamHack Atlanta this upcoming May, will qualify for the $1,000,000 Call of Duty: WRS Championship at the Esports World Cup in Riyadh, blending grassroots talent with professional squads for an electrifying weekend of Call of Duty: Warzone action.
More information is available on the DreamHack site.
Road to the Esports World Cup 2026: $100,000 Prize Pool - Decisive qualifiers for the Esports World Cup 2026, featuring FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves, Street Fighter 6, and Trackmania, with cash prizes and qualification spots on the line.
FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves: Top 4 players qualify to Esports World Cup 2026
Total prize pool: $50,000. Competitors face double-elimination pools and finals
Cash prizes range from $1,000 to $15,000. Street Fighter 6- Top 2 players qualify to Esports World Cup 2026. Total prize pool: $50,000. Double-elimination pools and finals determine qualifiers. Cash prizes range from $1,000 to $15,000. Trackmania-Top 8 players qualify to Esports World Cup 2026. Total prize pool: $15,100. Double-elimination group stage and finals. Cash prizes range from $200 to $5,000. More information available on the Road to EWC 2026 DreamHack site.
DreamHack Birmingham 2026 is set to unite gaming communities for three days of hands-on gaming, creator meet-ups, cosplay, live entertainment, and playable moments. Expect more than just a front-row seat to the world’s most prestigious esports competitions, including the Indie Playground - spotlighting innovative titles from independent developers, and the Expo - featuring hands-on opportunities with the latest games and technology.
Fans can also connect with their favourite creators at the Creator Hub, with meet-and-greets, live shows, panels, and interactive challenges bringing creators and the community together throughout the weekend.
