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Gear Up and Get Your Game on for Dubai Esports and Games Festival 2025
25 April - 11 May 2025
25 April - 11 May 2025
25 April - 11 May 2025
25 April - 11 May 2025
DAYS
GAMEEXPO ZONES
TOURNAMENTS
PLAYABLE GAMES
INDUSTRY SPEAKERS
The upcoming Dubai Esports and Games Festival in 2025 will see gaming experiences reach new heights. 17 days of action-packed events and activities will take place from 25 April - 11 May 2025. Exciting Education initiatives will kick off in schools starting from January 2025, registrations are now open online, this will be followed by special Education days at GameExpo on 7 and 8 May 2025.
The flagship event, the GameExpo, returned for an explosive celebration of all things gaming. The event brought an unmissable line-up of 27 esports competitions including high-octane Play Beyond Tournaments, all-time gaming classics at the Retro Zone, cutting-edge gaming products and the latest games, including 3 newly released games.
Eager gaming fans, families and the public played 50+ unmissable games with attendees immersing themselves in the world of virtual reality, with gaming enthusiasts connecting in the Dubai Police Esports Arena and 48 exhibitors, including support from industry giants like du, Emirates NBD, talabat and Samsung.
The event also saw a exciting cosplay competitions with 72 participants and amazing prizes.
The next GameExpo event will take place from 9-11 May 2025, register your interest now!
Spearheading innovation in the global games and esports industry, the GameExpo Summit powered by PG Connects was the region's biggest B2B event for industry experts from around the world to unite and convene. With more than 1,300 high profile attendees enjoying over 35 engaging sessions, panels, and talks by over 100 industry thought leaders and government agencies.
Cementing its reputation as the region’s premium games industry and B2B knowledge platform, over 2,000 meetings were held using the ‘MeetToMatch’ system, with 35+ investors, developers and publishers meeting on Investor Connector to elevate the gametech sector in the UAE.
This event was the MENA region's top business gathering for game developers, investors, and industry pioneers at this year's Dubai Esports and Games Festival.
Be a part of the next GameExpo Summit Event on 7 and 8 May 2025, register your interest now!
We invested in the next generation of industry experts, we called all students and universities to join us for an exciting educational programme, raising awareness of the Esports and Games Industry. The festival opened its doors to 1,372 astonishing bright minds from schools across the UAE, in addition to over 8,800 students who participated in this event. With 39 career talks from industry professionals and educational workshops engaging over 4,000 students, teachers and parents, this educational odyssey delivered an exciting learning journey both in person and through online workshops for pupils, teachers and parents.
All students got the opportunity to participate in fun competitions like the Minecraft Education Challenge, Microsoft Makecode Competition, Fortnite, Rocket League, and with university students also taking part in Valorant and EAFC24 tournaments, all with amazing prizes. All schools and universities were invited to attend the event on the education days free of charge at Dubai World Trade Centre to watch the grand finals live on stage.
Register your school or university now for the next DEF 2025 Education initiatives that will start in January 2025 as well as the Education days at GameExpo on 7 and 8 May 2025.
This DEF 2024, participants had the opportunity to discover citywide activities and take advantage of great offers both online and at their favorite gaming stores across Dubai. They powered up their gear and immersed themselves in the exciting world of gaming.
The exclusive Gaming Matters Academy, held at the Museum of the Future, provided participants with a glimpse into the future of gaming. The event was designed to upskill the next generation of gaming industry leaders and expand participants knowledge and skills in the gaming field. Additionally, the Gaming Matters Forum brought together more than 400 senior government officials, industry leaders, and visionaries from around the world to explore the transformative power of gaming. Closed door sessions, networking opportunities, and global discussions explored innovative strategies, latest trends, and technological innovations shaping the industry.
DEF 2024 hosted an array of thrilling tournaments that attracted a total of 3.6 million individuals who took part in competitive gaming events.
The tournament lineup consisted of 7 exciting competitions, each offering its unique gaming experience and challenges. Including the Valorant Master Cup 2024, created in partnership with RIOT Games. This tournament featured local competitions held at eight different cafes across Dubai.
The GameCentric Ramadan League, supported by DEF, provided participants with the chance to engage in local and regional tournaments during Ramadan. Games such as Fortnite, PUBG Mobile, League of Legends, and Brawl Stars were featured, adding diversity and excitement to the tournament lineup.
The GG League offered four weekly tournaments that brought together 32 teams per tournament from across the GCC, India, and Pakistan. It was a platform for intense competition and showcased the skills of players from different regions.
Yalla Ludo hosted exclusive online tournaments, incorporating a Dubai-based theme to add a local touch to the gaming experience.
DEF's tournaments provided an exhilarating platform for gamers to showcase their talent, compete against their peers, and experience the thrill of competitive gaming.
The region's first influencer-led esports tournament was not your average gaming competition!
Mind-blowing gameplay, awe-inspiring skills, and epic moments were witnessed as these gaming legends went head-to-head for the coveted Play Beyond Champions Trophy. Won by the Purple Team led by AboFlah, ShongXBong, Bandarita, Tahhan and Arslan.
A new and exciting Emirates NBD Zone was introduced at the GameExpo, offering a fun experience for children and parents alike. This dedicated area showcased popular brands, games, and arcades that catered to individuals of all ages.
The Dubai Cosplay Championship was the highlight of the event. This year, both single and group Cosplay were included in the competition, giving participants more opportunities to showcase their talent. Competitors chose their favorite category to compete in, including kids, craft, or performance. Winners were crowned as the Dubai Cosplay Champions in each category.
