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DreamHack and ESL One: Two Giant Gaming Events. One City. Nothing Like It.
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DreamHack Birmingham debuts; ESL One Birmingham returns
DreamHack and ESL One, two of the world’s biggest events in gaming and esports, will be coming to Birmingham, UK, in March 2026. DreamHack Birmingham will be the first ever festival held on UK soil in its 20+ year history, bringing together all gaming communities to celebrate games, esports and internet pop culture. Featuring one of the most prestigious esports tournaments, ESL One, returns to the UK for its fourth iteration, with a $1M prize pool, showcasing 16 of the world’s best Dota 2 teams.
“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,” said Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands. “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. And 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.”
“The UK has one of the world’s most passionate gaming communities, yet it’s still underserved when it comes to festivals that unite every part of gaming culture.” said Shahin Zarrabi, VP Festivals at ESL FACEIT Group. “That’s why we’re bringing DreamHack to Birmingham — a city with a proven track record and the perfect stage for our UK debut. We’re here for the long term: to invest, grow, and build something even bigger together with the community.”
“Returning to Birmingham with ESL One is a huge moment for us and the Dota 2 community,” said Álvaro Sánchez Velasco, Product Manager Dota 2 at ESL FACEIT Group. “This year is even more special as we join forces with DreamHack to create a truly unique festival atmosphere. We can’t wait to bring the best of Dota 2 esports to a city that has shown us so much passion over the years we’ve been here.”
The UK has rapidly established itself as one of Europe’s fastest-growing esports markets, with revenues set to hit $250.7 million in 2025 (Statista, 2025) and user numbers projected to reach nearly 24 million by 2029 (Statisa, 2025). Home to nearly 40 million gamers nationwide (Statista, 2024), esports is now both a cultural and economic force in the UK — and DreamHack festivals, which reach over 200,000 visitors globally and tens of millions online, are perfectly positioned to bring this vibrant community together on one stage.
NEC Group hosts DreamHack and ESL One Birmingham 2026
The NEC Birmingham and bp pulse LIVE offer two of the UK’s largest and most versatile event venues, operated by the NEC Group. Conveniently located just minutes from Birmingham Airport, the venues welcome seven million visitors each year to hundreds of live events and trade shows.
“We’re thrilled to welcome ESL One Birmingham back to the NEC and we’re equally excited to host DreamHack for the very first time,” said Ian Taylor, Managing Director of the NEC. “We’re perfectly located for bringing gaming communities together from across the globe, and we can’t wait to host one of the biggest gaming events in the calendar!”
Securing Birmingham as the host city for both DreamHack and ESL One is a huge milestone,” said Bobby Hare, Director Host City Partnerships at ESL FACEIT Group. “Over the past 12 months, the West Midlands Growth Company and the NEC Group have been incredibly supportive partners, and we’re excited to be back in Birmingham. The city’s vibrant gaming community and our shared vision for long-term growth make it the perfect home to deliver unforgettable experiences for UK fans.
DreamHack Birmingham
- Dates: March 27 – 29, 2026
- Location: National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham, UK
- DreamHack is the world’s leading gaming lifestyle festival bringing together all gaming communities to celebrate games and internet pop culture.
- Across three days, DreamHack Birmingham will invite fans to explore esports tournaments, cosplay, live music, creators, tabletop games, and so much more, all in one vibrant, community-driven space.
- The iconic festival comes to the UK following celebrated stints across the globe, including in Europe, North America and Asia.
ESL One Birmingham
- Dates: March 22 – 29, 2026.
- Location: bp pulse LIVE in Birmingham, UK.
- ESL One is one of the biggest and renowned Dota 2 tournament series that brings together the best teams and players from around the world.
- 16 teams will compete in a round robin format, with 8-team double-elimination Playoffs.
- The final three days of the competition will take place in front of a live audience.
- Last year’s ESL One Birmingham saw a peak viewership of over 327,000. Over 18,000 fans from across the world attended the bp pulse LIVE on the final three days of the tournament, witnessing Team Falcons taking home the trophy.
For additional information, please check out the DreamHack and ESL One Birmingham Press Kit.
Tickets can be purchased starting September 23 at 15:00 BST on dreamhack.com/birmingham and esl-one.com/birmingham.
DreamHack 3-day tickets start at £39.00 during the first two weeks and will be priced from £59.00 thereafter. ESL One guaranteed seating starts at £89.00 for all three days, with add-ons also available.
All DreamHack ticket holders receive full access to all parts of the DreamHack festival experience, including ESL One, though entry to bp pulse LIVE is limited by capacity. Purchasing an ESL One ticket guarantees your seat in the bp pulse LIVE and also grants you full access to DreamHack.
The post DreamHack and ESL One: Two Giant Gaming Events. One City. Nothing Like It. appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Peter & Sons Expands Its Danish Presence Through Partnership with Spillehallen
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Award-winning game studio Peter & Sons has expanded its reach in Denmark through a new partnership with Spillehallen, one of the country’s most trusted and innovative gaming brands.
Spillehallen is a 100% Danish-owned company with over 45 years of experience in the national gaming industry. Known for its craftsmanship and visionary development team, Spillehallen has successfully transitioned from the world of physical slot machines to the online space, bringing its rich legacy to Spillehallen.dk. The company’s goal has always been to recreate the authentic feel and functionality of traditional Danish slots while enhancing them with modern design and technology.
Through this collaboration, Spillehallen players will gain access to Peter & Sons’ expanding portfolio of video slots, celebrated for their handcrafted art, cinematic sound design, and imaginative mechanics. Titles such as Barbarossa, Voodoo Hex, and Wild One reflect the studio’s signature approach — blending storytelling, bold aesthetics, and engaging gameplay to create unforgettable experiences.
Denmark stands as one of Europe’s most mature and well-regulated iGaming markets, making it a natural fit for Peter & Sons’ continued growth strategy. The partnership with Spillehallen underscores the studio’s mission to deliver creative, story-rich, and premium-quality gaming experiences to players in regulated markets worldwide.
Yann Bautista, Commercial Director & Founder at Peter & Sons, said: “We’re thrilled to partner with Spillehallen — a brand that shares our passion for quality, innovation, and entertainment. Their deep roots in Danish gaming and their modern approach to digital experiences make them the perfect partner for our continued expansion in Denmark.”
Jacob Frostholm, Casino Manager at Spillehallen added: “Peter & Sons’ games stand out for their artistic style and creative gameplay. We’re excited to bring their unique worlds to our players and continue building on our tradition of offering the best and most entertaining gaming experiences in Denmark.”
This partnership marks another key milestone for Peter & Sons as it continues its expansion across Europe following recent launches in markets such as the UK, Italy, and the Netherlands.
The post Peter & Sons Expands Its Danish Presence Through Partnership with Spillehallen appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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MyEmpire Reborn: New Look, New Empires, New Features
MyEmpire, one of the leading brands within the MioMedia affiliate program, proudly unveils its grand transformation. The empire has been reborn — with a stunning new look, an expanded collection of games, and thrilling new features set to redefine the gaming experience.
The redesigned MyEmpire brand unveils a fresh and immersive environment inspired by great civilizations of the past. The new interface offers smoother navigation, enhanced visuals, and a layout that reflects the brand’s evolution and the spirit of the empire. It’s cleaner, faster, and full of life — giving players the feeling of truly stepping into a renewed realm of majesty.
The updated design extends across the entire game world, bringing richer landscapes, detailed architecture, and enhanced character art that adds elegance and depth, drawing players further into play.
Along with the visual transformation, MyEmpire is expanding its portfolio with new games. Each title offers a unique experience while staying true to the empire’s spirit of strategy, adventure, and discovery. Together, they create a broader and more dynamic world for players to explore.
Beyond new games, MyEmpire is expanding with the launch of a dedicated shop — a new destination where players can purchase exclusive items or exchange their in-game bonuses for them. It’s a fresh way to turn progress into rewards and make every victory even more satisfying.
Soon, players will also enjoy new gamification features — SpinRally, Wheel of Fortune, and WonderPot. These additions will introduce even more thrills and rewards, giving players the chance to test their luck, win prizes, and uncover new surprises within the empire. Each feature is designed to enhance engagement and add a fresh layer of fun to the play.
MioMedia Affiliates continue to stand at the forefront of iGaming innovation, bringing together top-performing brands and world-class affiliate partnerships. As MyEmpire enters a new era with its refreshed look and features, MioMedia Affiliates celebrates the brand’s dedication to excellence, creativity, and pursuit of entertainment that both inspires and rewards.
For more information and guidance, contact the team: https://www.miomedia.com/contact-us
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iGaming 2026 starts now: be the first to get Slotegrator’s iGaming trends report
Slotegrator, a leading iGaming software provider and content aggregator, has published a report forecasting the iGaming trends of 2026. Developed in collaboration with over 50 experts from international companies, the report highlights how technology, regulation, ESG and transparency, and evolving player expectations will reshape the iGaming landscape in the coming year.
The report brings together insights from operators, regulators, affiliates, and marketing leaders across Europe, Latin America, Africa, and Asia. It covers key topics – from upcoming regulatory changes and AI-driven hyper-personalization to new compliance standards, marketing transformations, and the rise of community-based gaming ecosystems.
Readers will learn what to expect from:
- Regulatory developments in the industry’s most attractive markets.
- Advances in AI, cybersecurity, biometric KYC, and deepfake detection.
- New marketing models built on emotional intelligence and data ethics.
- The role of Web3, stablecoins, and gamified well-being.
- The growing influence of ESG on the iGaming sector.
The report features practical insights from leading leading companies, recognized industry leaders and award winners, including SiGMA Group, Clarion Gaming, DEVILS, Endorphina, Amigo Gaming, Aviatrix, ZingBrain AI, BGaming, NGM Game, Peter& Sons, CasinoRIX, ICS-digital, top media like iGamingNews, Casino Guru, GamblingTalk, and others, alongside perspectives from top game studios and regional experts.
“The report brings together the key takeaways from our business analytical research and the voices of industry experts who observe market dynamics every single day. Their perspectives give this report its depth and authenticity. At Slotegrator, we value partnership and collaboration above all — this is what allows us to capture the real pulse of the iGaming industry. This document gives companies a valuable head start as they prepare for next year’s shifts,” adds Svetlana Kirichenko, head of marketing at Slotegrator.
The report offers a comprehensive view of what’s next for iGaming — a must-read for anyone shaping the future of the industry. Be among the first to download The iGaming Trends of 2026 from Slotegrator by following this link.
ABOUT THE COMPANY
Since 2012, Slotegrator has been one of the iGaming industry’s leading software and business solution providers for online casino and sportsbook operators.
The company’s main focus is software development and support for online casino platforms, as well as the integration of game content and payment systems.
The company works with licensed game developers and offers a vast portfolio of casino content: slots, live casino games, poker, virtual sports, table games, lotteries, casual games, and data feeds for betting.
Slotegrator also provides consulting services in gambling license acquisition and business incorporation.
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