The Insomnia Gaming Festival, a cornerstone of UK gaming culture for 25 years, is poised for a return from 30 April to 3 May, 2026 at the Stafford Showground, just outside Birmingham where it was formerly hosted. This follows the event’s shutdown in 2024 and the subsequent financial collapse of its former organiser, Player1 Events. The Esports Radar can now detail the effort by a collective of industry veterans to secure the festival’s future, aiming for a fresh start rooted in legacy.
The revival is spearheaded by a consortium comprising Modern Wolf, Emblem Events & Exhibitions, High Viz Media Group, and Protec European Events. The team describes itself as a mix of long-time Insomnia veterans and new partners united by a shared belief in the festival’s need for a new beginning.
“What brought us together was a shared belief that Insomnia deserved a fresh start, one that honours its roots while building a sustainable future,” said Chris ‘shoe.’ Mullins, Sales and Marketing Director at Insomnia Gaming Limited. “Each of us has seen first-hand the magic of Insomnia… we felt a responsibility to protect and reignite that spirit.”
The transition marks a definitive break from the previous administration. Following Player1 Events’ entry into administration, the Insomnia intellectual property was put up for auction. The current team, backed by investors, successfully secured the IP.
“There were multiple bids at auction, but with a strong team of Insomnia veterans behind us, we were delighted to secure the IP and begin shaping a new era for the festival,” Mullins stated.
Addressing the Past, Building for the Future
The team acknowledged taking over during a difficult period, with Player1 Events’ administration leaving outstanding debts from the final event, i72.
To address immediate fallout, their current investor—whose identity was not disclosed and was not involved in the previous company’s day-to-day operations—provided personal donations. These ensured small traders and content creators were paid and funded full redundancy packages for all former employees.
“That was an important first step in rebuilding trust and showing that we’re serious about doing right by the people who make Insomnia what it is,” Director of Operations Michael Virks noted.
Recognising the task of rebuilding trust, the team’s strategy is linked to Insomnia’s origins. “The first thing we asked ourselves was: what made this festival so special? The answer was clear: it’s always been the LAN,” Virks explained.
Consequently, the revival will see the LAN return to a central role. Following their initial announcement, the team paused social activity to absorb community feedback and has now resumed regular updates.
For the upcoming event, i74, success is defined qualitatively. “For us, success at the upcoming event isn’t just about numbers, it’s about restoring trust,” said Virks. Key objectives include strong Bring-Your-Own-Computer (BYOC) participation and reliable operations.
Looking beyond i74, the long-term ambition is to return Insomnia to a twice-yearly format. However, the team is prioritising caution.
“We’re approaching that ambition with care and, for now, we’re focusing on bringing Insomnia back with one event a year,” Virks stated, emphasising that sustainable growth built on community feedback is the immediate priority.
Esports and Infrastructure: Integrated Pillars
Esports will retain its status as a core pillar. The i74 lineup will feature tournaments for VALORANT, Counter-Strike 2, League of Legends, Rocket League, Overwatch 2, and a return of Call of Duty 4, with prize pools ranging from £2,000 (~$2,660 USD) to £3,000 (~$4000 USD).
A key technical collaboration has been formed with UK community LAN organiser EPIC.LAN, which will act as the networking provider. This partnership aims to ensure a reliable experience for up to 1,400 BYOC players.
“By working with them, we’re not only guaranteeing stability and scale, but also reconnecting the festival with its roots,” Virks commented.
The journey to revive Insomnia is framed by its new stewards as a significant challenge. By combining operational experience with a community-first philosophy, the consortium aims to steward the iconic festival into a new, stable era.
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