Dubai GameExpo Summit 2025 Draws Global Gaming Leaders and Boosts Regional Industry Growth
Dubai GameExpo Summit 2025 brought together over 1,400 gaming and esports professionals from 70 countries, reinforcing the UAE's growing status as a regional hub for the global gaming industry.
Hosted at the Dubai World Trade Centre as part of the wider Dubai Esports and Games Festival (DEF), the summit was powered by Pocket Gamer Connects in collaboration with the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET). Over 2,000 meetings were facilitated through the MeetToMatch platform, as attendees explored the rapidly expanding gaming ecosystem across the Middle East and North Africa.
The two-day event featured more than 75 speakers, including industry leaders and government officials, who led sessions on artificial intelligence, web3 technologies, growth strategies, and user acquisition.
One of the summit's key highlights was the launch of the PitchPlay competition, presented in partnership with DMCC Gaming Centre. The contest gave promising game start-ups a stage to present their innovations. The top prize of AED55,000 was awarded to Martin Lothe Saeterdal's studio, Filiokus, for its engaging approach to mobile games that make maths fun.
The Very Big Indie Pitch, a returning crowd favourite, also spotlighted rising indie developers and connected them with seasoned experts.
Muna Al Falasi, Director of Esports and Games Strategy at Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, called the summit a 'pivotal moment' in Dubai's journey to becoming a global gaming leader. She noted the event's role in accelerating digital innovation, supporting SMEs, and creating career opportunities in the sector.
With international participation and a clear focus on innovation, the summit underscored Dubai's strategic push to lead the gaming and esports space across the region.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
TECHx
22-05-2025
- TECHx
Dubai Esports Festival 2025 Sets New Records and Growth
Home » Emerging technologies » Gaming » Dubai Esports Festival 2025 Sets New Records and Growth Dubai's gaming economy took a major step forward with the Dubai Esports and Games Festival (DEF) 2025. Organisers announced that the event was the biggest edition yet, showcasing innovation, talent, and investment opportunities across the city. The fourth season of the region's largest esports festival concluded with record-breaking attendance and strong industry impact. DEF 2025 welcomed over 45,000 fans, families, and professionals. The festival spanned 17 days and featured 12 major events. It combined family-friendly activities with strategic programming aimed at growing the gaming sector. Organisers reported that the flagship GameExpo event attracted more than 34,800 attendees. It offered interactive zones, tournaments, cosplay competitions, and exclusive giveaways. Live streams on TikTok MENA highlighted key moments from popular games like Valorant, Fortnite, and Tekken 8. The festival featured 3.8 million gamers competing in over 90 tournaments. Popular titles included EA FC 25, Yalla Ludo, and Fortnite. In total, DEF showcased more than 130 games, including over 10 new releases. Furthermore, DEF 2025 hosted 2,000 industry professionals from 70 countries in two B2B events. The festival spotlighted 260 SMEs from gaming and tech sectors. These companies gained access to investor networks and collaboration opportunities. Youth engagement was a key focus. The DEF Education Programme involved more than 16,000 students and educators from 250 schools across the UAE. It included gaming tournaments, workshops, career advice, and a mobile game truck visiting schools. The event aligned with Dubai's Economic Agenda D33 and the Dubai Program for Gaming 2033. The CEO of Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, Ahmed Al Khaja, revealed that DEF supports Dubai's goal to become a global hub for gaming and digital innovation. Highlights included: The Dubai Cosplay Championship with a prize pool of AED 30,000. An all-female Valorant faceoff supported by Benefit. The GameExpo Summit, which gathered over 1,700 professionals to discuss AI, Web3, and investment. Retail promotions were also reported. More than 2,500 outlets offered deals during the festival. Selected Rove Hotels provided exclusive discounts to attendees. The Dubai Esports and Games Festival 2025 was supported by key partners such as Amazon, du, Dubai Police, Emirates NBD, Red Bull, and Virgin Radio. This year's event confirmed Dubai's expanding role in the global esports landscape and its commitment to nurturing the gaming ecosystem for entertainment, education, and economic growth.
Hi Dubai
22-05-2025
- Hi Dubai
Dubai Esports and Games Festival 2025 Breaks Records and Reinforces Global Gaming Ambitions
Dubai solidified its status as a global gaming hub with the record-breaking success of the Dubai Esports and Games Festival (DEF) 2025, the region's largest celebration of gaming, esports, and digital innovation. Drawing over 45,000 attendees across 17 days, the fourth edition of the festival delivered a dynamic mix of entertainment, education, and economic opportunity. Organised by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), DEF 2025 featured 12 major events and attracted 3.8 million gamers across more than 90 tournaments on popular titles such as EA FC 25, Valorant, and Fortnite. The flagship GameExpo welcomed 34,800 visitors for the city's biggest-ever gaming weekend, with fans, families, and professionals engaging in immersive experiences, creator showdowns, and cosplay competitions. The festival hosted over 2,000 professionals from 70 countries at the GameExpo Summit and Gaming Matters conference, highlighting Dubai's growing influence in the global gaming sector. More than 75 speakers led discussions on AI, Web3, monetisation, and investment opportunities, while indie developers and start-ups pitched innovations to top investors. Youth engagement was another standout success. DEF's Education Programme reached 16,500 students and educators from 250 UAE schools, offering workshops, tournaments, and career-focused experiences to inspire the next generation of talent. More than 775 brands activated across the festival, reflecting DEF's value as a platform for market expansion and strategic collaboration. Exclusive retail promotions and hospitality deals further enhanced the citywide celebration. DFRE CEO Ahmed Al Khaja hailed the event as a key driver of Dubai's digital economy, aligning with the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and Dubai Program for Gaming 2033. 'DEF has evolved into a high-impact platform that delivers real strategic value,' he said. DEF 2025 stands as a milestone in Dubai's journey to becoming a global powerhouse in gaming and esports. News Source: Dubai Media Office
Gulf Today
21-05-2025
- Gulf Today
National industrial sector core pillar of UAE economy: Hamdan
Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Defence, visited the fourth edition of 'Make it in The Emirates 2025' Forum, taking place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, from May 19th to 22. The Forum highlights the UAE's advanced industrial capabilities and innovations, and its emergence as a global manufacturing hub, bringing together industry leaders, government entities, and innovators. On the occasion, Sheikh Hamdan said that the national industrial sector is a fundamental pillar of the UAE economy and a key driver advancing its vision for greater diversification and innovation. He noted that the 'Make it in The Emirates 2025' Forum reflects the UAE's commitment to building a competitive, technology-driven industrial base led by skilled national talent. Sheikh Hamdan added that guided by the visionary leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and the guidance of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, the UAE is pursuing ambitious goals to increase the industrial sector's share of GDP, enhance exports, and draw high-quality investments. He emphasised that the industrial sector is more than just an economic segment; it is fundamental to national sovereignty and the growth of human and technological capacities. Sheikh Hamdan said that this Forum affirms the UAE's readiness to lead industrially at both regional and global levels, backed by a clear vision, robust infrastructure, and extensive expertise, with public-private partnerships underpinning its industrial future. Sheikh Hamdan was accompanied by Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology; Omar bin Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications; Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director-General of Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET); Faisal Abdulaziz Al Bannai, Adviser to the UAE President for Strategic Research and Advanced Technology Affairs, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of EDGE Group. Sheikh Hamdan toured the exhibition held on the sidelines of the Forum, and was briefed on the crucial role of national industries in shaping the future of the UAE's industrial sector. During the tour, he also explored the latest smart solutions and technologies from Emirati companies, including artificial intelligence, robotics, energy, manufacturing, and real estate development. Sheikh Hamdan visited a number of stands and pavilions including the Dubai pavilion managed by DET, which showcases the city's dynamic manufacturing sector. The Dubai pavilion serves as a central platform that brings together the emirate's key enablers of industrial growth, including Dubai Industrial City (DIC), National Industries Park (NIP), Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ), Dubai Chambers, and Dubai South. Sheikh Hamdan also stopped by the pavilions of the EDGE Group, International Holding Company, Micropolis Digital Development, Emaar Properties, Ducab, and the Advanced Technology Research Council's AI Centre. Make It In The Emirates 2025 is the UAE's flagship industrial event, designed to accelerate the country's manufacturing ambitions and position it as a global hub for industrial innovation, sustainability, and economic growth. Meanwhile, Sheikh Khalid Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Board of Zayed Higher Organisation for People of Determination, underscored the strategic importance of Make it in the Emirates 2025, describing it as a key platform for supporting and developing 12 of the UAE's most vital industrial sectors. During his visit to the event, Sheikh Khalid stated that this leading industrial platform is instrumental in strengthening the UAE's position as a global destination for investment and capital, helping to bolster the competitiveness of Emirati industries both locally and internationally. He highlighted the pivotal support of the UAE's leadership in advancing national industries, which have become a fundamental pillar of the country's rapid economic growth. Sheikh Khalid Bin Zayed said, 'Investing in the development of local industries is a primary enabler of the UAE's global economic standing - an economy that continues to flourish thanks to the dedication of its people and a visionary outlook that places human development at its core. 'This platform is a valuable opportunity to deepen public-private partnerships and foster innovation in building a sustainable industrial ecosystem that contributes to diversifying our national economy.' He also emphasised the role of Make it in the Emirates 2025 in attracting and empowering young Emirati talent by offering employment opportunities in emerging industrial sectors, supported by dynamic platforms that encourage creativity and excellence. Sheikh Khalid said, 'We are committed to harnessing the energy of Emirati youth and equipping them with the skills to lead future industries, in line with the UAE's vision for a knowledge-based, sustainable economy built on national capabilities.' He praised the instrumental role played by ADNEC Group in organising Make it in the Emirates 2025, commending the group's outstanding organisational and technical capabilities.' WAM
