A new study by ESL FACEIT Group reveals that UK teenagers now prefer gaming festivals like DreamHack over traditional music events – citing affordability, safety, and cultural relevance as key reasons.
Gaming festivals are becoming the first major cultural outing for Britain’s youth, overtaking traditional music events such as Glastonbury.
According to new research from ESL FACEIT Group, 90 per cent of UK teens say they are more likely to attend a gaming festival like DreamHack before ever setting foot at a music festival.
A further 92 per cent of 13 to 19-year-olds actively prefer the idea of going to a gaming event with friends over a musical one.
The study of 2,000 teenagers highlights gaming’s growing cultural dominance.
With 94 per cent of Gen Alpha regularly playing video games, 91 per cent now say gaming plays a bigger role in their lives than music.
Nearly half of respondents were allowed to attend a gaming festival before the age of 16, compared with most music festivals, which only allow entry at 18.
Safety and accessibility were cited as key reasons for the shift, with 97 per cent of teens said they feel safer at a gaming festival, and 92 per cent of parents agreeing they’d prefer to take their children to one over a music event.
Girls also echoed the sentiment, with 95 per cent saying they would personally feel safer at a gaming festival.
Shahin Zarrabi, VP Festivals at ESL FACEIT Group, said in a statement: “Gaming isn’t part of the culture; it is the culture.
“DreamHack Birmingham 2026 will be where the UK gaming community comes alive: safe, authentic, unforgettable. No mud-fields, no chasing influencers, no £300 wristbands. Just pure gaming.”
DreamHack Birmingham runs from 27–29 March 2026, at the NEC, with tickets starting at £39.
Teens are choosing gaming festivals over music concerts, study reveals
