The citywide Dubai Esports & Games Festival (DEF) returns from May 8th to 24th 2026, marking its fifth and largest edition to date.
DEF has grown rapidly since its launch in 2022 to become a major international esports and games festival.
In 2025, the festival welcomed more than 45,000 fans, families and industry professionals across 12 major events spanning 17 action-packed days.
Aligned with the UAE’s ‘Year of the Family’, the upcoming edition places emphasis on youth engagement and multi-generational participation, creating inclusive experiences that unite families.
Key highlights include the return of flagship events such as GameExpo, GameExpo Summit powered by PG Connects, Play Beyond and the Dubai Cosplay Championship, alongside new large-scale interactive experiences designed for families, youth, students and creators.
The flagship GameExpo returns from May 22nd to 24th at Dubai World Trade Centre, Zabeel Halls 2 & 3, delivering a whole new immersive gaming experience packed with live entertainment, competitive action, new interactive zones and unforgettable moments all under one roof.
Spanning 10 distinct zones, the event will feature more than 100 gaming consoles, live tournament stages and interactive spaces where visitors can watch, compete and play.
Registration is now open for fans, students, teachers, and industry participants to be part of DEF 2026 and receive programme updates as they are announced. Tickets for GameExpo are available via Platinumlist at https://game-expo.platinumlist.net/.
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