Event Details
Welcome to the Great British Beer Festival 2027 in Birmingham
The Great British Beer Festival (GBBF), organised by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) since 1977, is one of the UK’s largest beer festivals. The most recent edition ran from 5 to 9 August 2025 in Halls 1 and 2 at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham. CAMRA’s official site currently states that GBBF is taking a break; the 2026 festival was cancelled for financial reasons, and no confirmed dates for 2027 have been published.
Highlights & Attractions at Great British Beer Festival in Birmingham
- Hundreds of British cask, keg and craft beers under one roof
- Real cider and perry plus international beers (including Belgium, Germany and the USA)
- CAMRA Champion Beer of Britain, one of the country’s best-known beer awards
- Live music in the afternoon and evening (included with the ticket at the last edition)
- Traditional pub games and food on site
- Around 1,000 unpaid CAMRA volunteers staffing the bars
- Discounted or free entry for CAMRA members (as at the last edition)
Program & Schedule: What to Expect in 2027
No official programme for 2027 has been announced. CAMRA states: “GBBF is taking a break for now.” The 2025 edition ran for five days (Tuesday to Saturday) at the NEC Birmingham, with all-day tasting, live music and the Champion Beer of Britain announcement. If the festival returns, dates, opening hours and the hall plan will be published at camra.org.uk/gbbf. Until then, CAMRA points visitors to more than 100 regional CAMRA festivals across the country.
Tickets & Admission for Great British Beer Festival Birmingham
No tickets are on sale for 2027 because no date is confirmed. At the last NEC edition in 2025, NEC listed a ticket range of about £6 to £64 (around 7 to 75 euros depending on exchange rate and category; CAMRA members often paid the lowest rate). Past prices are not a confirmed offer for a future edition. Check camra.org.uk/gbbf or tckty.camra.org.uk for any future sales.
Visitor Tips: Travel & Accommodation in Birmingham
- The NEC is in Marston Green; travel by train to Birmingham International (on the campus) or via Birmingham Airport (BHX).
- August halls can be warm – wear light clothing and comfortable shoes, and drink water between tastings.
- Book hotels near the NEC or in Birmingham early if dates are announced; exhibition weekends fill up quickly.
- Valid tickets only; bring ID for age checks. Drink responsibly and plan a journey home without driving.
- While GBBF is paused, find regional CAMRA festivals at camra.org.uk/events – members often get free entry.
