Dota 2: Tundra Esports wins ESL One Birmingham 2026

8 April 2026

Seeing as you’ve come here to read about the latest news regarding esports in the UK, we probably don’t need to tell you that DreamHack Birmingham 2026 is just behind us. From Friday, March 27, until Sunday, March 29, the NEC Arena in Birmingham provided the backdrop for what surely already be considered as one of the highlights for esports in the UK this year.

As usual, DreamHack was much more than just a gaming festival. The event also boasted various high-profile esports events, including the ESL ONE Birmingham 2026, part of the official 2026 ESL Pro Tour. The third point-obtaining event of the 2025/2026 Dota 2 season ended up being prey for Tundra Esports, who beat Team Yandex in the final to earn $ 250.000 in total prize money (which comes down to around £ 189.009).

ESL One Birmingham 2026

Tundra Esports was given a spot in Group of ESL One Birmingham 2026, together with a few other big names, including Russian organisation Team Yandex and Germany-based MOUZ. Despite making it through the group without a single defeat, Tundra had to make do with a second place, right behind previously mentioned Team Yandex. The Russians managed 5 victories and 2 draws versus 4 victories and 3 draws for Tundra. It is not the last time we are mentioning Yandex either, as they would eventually face Tundra Esports again in the Grand Final.

Thanks to their second place, Tundra entered the Playoffs in the Upper Bracket Semifinals, where they had to deal with Aurora Gaming, which they did (1-2). Team Yandex did the same with Team Spirit in the other Upper Bracket Semifinal, which meant an Upper Bracket Final between Team Yandex and Tundra Esports. The latter came out victorious, qualifying for the Grand Final in the process, while condemning Yandex to a Lower Bracket Final against Xtreme Gaming from China. A 2-1 victory for the Russians meant that the ESL One Birmingham 2026 Grand Final was once again going to be between them and Tundra Esports.

Tundra remains undefeated vs. Team Yandex

The Grand Final versus Team Yandex meant the third encounter with the Russian organization for Tundra Esports ESL One Birmingham 2026. And just like in the previous two encounters, Yandex could not get the better of the Londoners. After a 1-1 draw in the Group Stage and the previously mentioned 2-0 victory over the Russians in the Upper Bracket Final, Tundra also came out on top in the Grand Final, which used a best-of-5 format, as usual.

The London-based collective got off to a rough start as they lost the first map in just around 40 minutes, but they immediately fought themselves back into the fold. An epic 62-minute second map eventually dropped in favour of Tundra and that seemed to break Yandex’ spirits. What followed were two relatively easy victories for the UK esports organisation. Map 3 took them just under 38 minutes to win, while the fourth and final map was won in just under 28 minutes. Besides $ 250.000 in prize money, their ESL One Birmingham 2026 victory also earned them a $ 40.000 Club Reward and 8.000 EPT Points.