Insomnia Gaming Festival issues statement following relaunch backlash

Insomnia Gaming has launched a statement in response to group concern and backlash following its stunning announcement. The occasion is ready to return in Spring 2026 regardless of its controversial exit final yr.

Within the assertion, Insomnia addresses considerations surrounding laid-off employees, unpaid groups that contributed to earlier occasions and expressed hope to to ‘do proper by the group.’

The earlier Insomnia occasion was held in March 2024 (i73). This turned the centre of reviews on-line that Player1Events, Insomnia’s organisers, underwent staff layoffs. Moreover, Esports Insider reported that some corporations had yet to be paid for his or her i73 providers.

In September 2024, Esports Insider reported that over £500,000 of debt was unresolved, regardless of some freelancers being paid. On the time of publishing this text, there was no replace on whether or not these funds have since been resolved.

These have been all points that have been raised when the Spring 2026 announcement was made, which was then addressed within the newest Insomnia Gaming assertion.

Within the assertion following the backlash, Insomnia highlighted the group’s most burning considerations and questions. It started by emphasising that Player1Events was not concerned and that ‘the corporate not exists.’ Insomnia is again with a brand new crew on the helm, however they’re additionally in talks with ‘veterans’ to convey an ‘LAN-first method’ to the occasion.

The following situation the assertion lined was the subject of laid-off employees and excellent funds. Insomnia shared that traders behind Player1Events made donations to make sure content material creators and small merchants who participated in i72 have been paid, they usually additionally supplied redundancy pay to all employees.

Within the assertion, Insomnia stated: “As for crew funds, we’re not conscious of any excellent points, but when any groups consider they’re nonetheless owed, we need to hear from you. Please attain out instantly so we will look into it and assist resolve something vital.”

Different bulletins embody honouring any free tickets or VIP passes received within the final Insomnia occasion, promising to look into claims. In addition they shared that the Discord server will likely be introduced again, with extra info and an invitation hyperlink being shared within the close to future.

“We all know belief is earned. That’s why, to us, this open and sincere dialog we’re having with you is greater than only a sequence of posts,” Insomnia stated. “It’s step one in constructing one thing particular, collectively.”