Birmingham, UK – February 20, 2026 – ESL FACEIT Group just dropped the details on a massive qualifier showdown: the Road to EWC at DreamHack Birmingham. From March 27–29, this iconic UK fest turns into a high-octane battleground for Street Fighter 6, FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves, and Trackmania. Top finishers snag direct invites to the Esports World Cup (EWC) 2026 in Riyadh (July 6–Aug 23), plus a slice of over $120,000 in prizes. Rising stars and vets—your global stage awaits.
DreamHack Birmingham isn’t just any LAN; it’s a proving ground in the heart of Europe’s esports scene, blending massive crowds, cosplay chaos, and cutthroat comp. Tied to the EWC’s Saudi-backed spectacle—which last year crowned legends across 20+ titles—this qualifier is your express lane to $millions in Riyadh prizes and worldwide fame.
DreamHack Birmingham at a Glance
- Location: DreamHack Birmingham, UK (onsite only).
- Dates: March 27–29, 2026.
- Titles: Street Fighter 6, FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves, Trackmania.
- Total Prize Pool: $120,000+.
- Stakes: Direct qualification to EWC 2026 Riyadh.
- Rego: Open now—grab a DreamHack ticket and show up! Details & Signup.
Age gates: SF6 (13+), FATAL FURY/Trackmania (16+).
Title-by-Title Breakdown: Formats, Prizes, and Paths to Riyadh
Street Fighter 6 ($50K Pool)
- Format: 512-player cap, Double Elim pools → Top 32 Finals.
- Qualify: Top 2 to EWC.
- Top Prize: $15K for 1st.
- Schedule: Mar 28 (Pools/Top 16), Mar 29 (Top 8 Finals).
SF6’s combo-heavy meta has exploded post-Street Fighter League—expect frame-perfect mindgames from Euro hopefuls chasing Artery or Punk’s shadows.
FATAL FURY: City of the Wolves ($50K Pool)
- Format: 256-player cap, Double Elim pools → Top 32 Finals.
- Qualify: Top 4 to EWC.
- Top Prize: $15K for 1st.
- Schedule: Mar 27 (Pools/Top 16), Mar 29 (Top 8 Finals).
SNK’s hot new fighter drops with revamped systems and a killer roster—perfect launchpad for early meta masters to lock EWC berths.
Trackmania ($20K Pool)
- Format: 128-player cap, Group Stage (DE) → Top 32 Finals.
- Qualify: Top 8 to EWC.
- Top Prize: $5K for 1st.
- Schedule: Mar 27 (Pools/Top 16), Mar 28 (Top 32/Top 16), Mar 29 (Top 8 Finals).
Trackmania’s speed demons thrive on precision tracks—think ice jumps and speedrun strats for those coveted Riyadh slots.
Why Compete? Beyond the Bag
$120K is huge regionally, but EWC Riyadh is the real draw: multimillion prizes, pro exposure, and a shot at immortality. Past qualifiers launched careers—don’t miss out. Onsite energy means hype crowds, rivalries, and potential viral moments.
Pro Tip: Snag tickets early—DreamHack sells out. Full rules at dreamhack.com/birmingham/ewc.
The road to Riyadh starts in Birmingham. Who’s booking flights?