The revival of the Insomnia Gaming Festival has been called off due to insufficient backing from the industry

The Insomnia Gaming Festival, set for April in the UK, has been canceled. Organizers cited a decline in funding from key tech and hardware companies for live events as the reason. All those who purchased tickets will be refunded.

Despite strong consumer interest and enthusiasm from educational sectors for the festival's return, the decrease in financial backing from primary technology and hardware firms diminished the possibility of securing necessary sponsorships and exhibitor commitments, according to the organizers.

Originally starting as a LAN event, Insomnia expanded over time to include various attractions like a showroom and esports events. The 2026 event, known as i74, aimed to revive the Insomnia brand after Player1 Events, the previous organizer, liquidated in 2024. A group of companies, including Modern Wolf, Emblem Events & Exhibitions, High Viz Media (Group) Ltd, and Protec European Events, were behind i74. It was slated to occur from April 30 to May 3, 2026, at the Staffordshire County Showground, moving from its long-time location at the Birmingham NEC.

This cancellation follows a trend in the UK gaming scene, with EGX, the country's premier consumer gaming event, being absorbed into MCM London Comic Con after ceasing as an independent event in 2024. Similarly, the debut of To The Moon Expo last November did not succeed.

Michael Virks, the Head of Operations for Insomnia, expressed that the decision was difficult. "We poured months of effort into bringing i74 to life, and many of us hold personal ties to Insomnia going back years. It's heartbreaking to disappoint all the attendees, players, and families who valued this event yearly," he stated.

Virks emphasized that their commitment to Insomnia meant they wouldn't proceed unless they could deliver the event properly. "Providing a festival lacking the distinctive exhibitor presence and quality that Insomnia is known for wouldn't have been fair to the community that has supported it for 25 years," he explained.

The event's leadership indicated that Insomnia would be on hiatus with no current plans to return. They remain optimistic that conditions like stronger sponsorship opportunities and increased industry investment will eventually allow for its revival.