DUBAI ESPORTS AND GAMES FESTIVAL RETURNS FOR A 17-DAY CITYWIDE GAMING CELEBRATION FROM APRIL 25 - MAY 11

Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE) has announced the return of the Dubai Esports and Games Festival (DEF), from 25 April to 11 May. The fourth edition of the UAE’s largest esports and gaming festival will feature a diverse programme of entertainment, competitions, and industry events, reinforcing Dubai’s position as a global gaming hub.

DEF 2025 will offer unparalleled gaming experiences, exciting esports tournaments, cutting-edge industry insights, and fun family events. Key highlights will include exclusive meet-and-greets with top stars, world-first game showings, and the return of popular experiences such as the GameExpo, GameExpo Summit, Dubai Cosplay Championship, and Play Beyond. The festival will feature citywide tournaments, education challenges, and interactive experiences for gaming enthusiasts of all ages.

Fans of local South African esports and gaming events like Rage Expo and Comic-Con should consider attending this world-leading gaming event, which runs for more than two weeks!

Last year’s DEF GameExpo welcomed over 28 000 visitors from more than 100 countries across three days. Sixteen regional tournaments drew 3.6 million players, with major prizes. The DEF Education Programme creatively engaged more than 6 000 students from 230 schools and universities through career talks, skills workshops, and challenges. The festival also attracted 2 000 industry professionals, strengthening Dubai’s status as a regional hub for gaming and esports.

The biggest and most immersive gaming event in the region, this year’s GameExpo 2025 will return to Dubai World Trade Centre from 9 to 11 May, offering diverse experiences for every type of gamer. Eight dedicated gaming zones will provide an unmissable event for fans and families — whether in high-stakes esports tournaments, casual family games, retro arcade experiences, tabletop challenges, VR encounters, or real-world skill challenges.

At the heart of the action will be the Main Arena, Gaming District, Emirates NBD Family Zone, Retro Zone, and the talabat F&B Zone, along with two new additions — The Quest: The New IRL Zone and the Just Dance Zone.

Adding to the excitement, GameExpo 2025 will feature The Narrows, a vibrant marketplace where fans and families can explore cutting-edge merchandise, gaming technologies, and industry trends while engaging with local vendors, creators, and small businesses. Vendors interested in exhibiting can contact the organisers via this link.

Tickets are now available with early bird discounts, from just AED29 (R145) for students an AED44 (R220) for adults for a one-day pass. Tickets can be booked through Platinumlist.

GameExpo 2025 attendees will see thrilling matchups and intense battles as regional and global pros compete at Play Beyond on 10 and 11 May, and connect with fans at exclusive meet-and-greet sessions. A few lucky fans will even have the chance to step onto the main stage with influencers and participate in interactive gameplay.

Fans of anime, video games, movies, and comics will take centre stage in a cosplay showdown where creativity knows no bounds. The Dubai Cosplay Championship at DEF 2025 on 10 May invites cosplayers to showcase their skills and compete for cash prizes.

Students and educators have the chance to explore esports and gaming through the DEF Educational Engagement Programme. Designed to educate, engage, and empower aspiring young talent, the programme blends education and entertainment through exciting competitions and activities.

Contests like the Minecraft Education Challenge and the ENBD Fortnite Quest will challenge students to demonstrate their skills and creativity for a chance to win prizes and be crowned champions. The GameOn with HP Gaming Garage hackathon will give aspiring developers hands-on experience in game development, covering coding, design, and prototype creation.

The new Game Quest Express will introduce immersive gaming experiences, enhancing esports engagement. Registration for all competitions and activities is now live.

The GameExpo Summit, powered by Pocket Gamer Connects and the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), will bring the global gaming industry to Dubai for a conference on 7 and 8 May. A premier hub for networking, industry insights, and business development, the event will feature over 100 expert speakers discussing AI, Web3, the Metaverse, investment strategies, as well as the future of gaming, and business opportunities within it. Attendees will also have access to high-value networking events, business matchmaking, and exclusive deal-making sessions.

A highlight of the event will be the MENA Games Awards, recognising excellence and innovation across the region’s gaming landscape.

For more information on the Dubai Esports and Games Festival (DEF), and to register interest for the GameExpo Summit, visit the website. Follow @DubaiFestivals on Instagram and TikTok.