Dubai Esports & Games Festival kicks off
The Dubai Esports & Games Festival (DEF) 2025, organised by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), has opened with a citywide celebration of fun, creativity, and pop culture like no other.
There's something in store for everyone, with exciting new features, free-to-play experiences, mega prizes worth over AED500,000, and all-round unmissable activities for all ages, interests, and abilities.
Friends, families, and fans are guaranteed truly unforgettable experiences throughout the 17 action-packed days of the festival till May 11.
Everyone has the chance to take part, play, and win - especially during DEF's eagerly awaited flagship event, GameExpo, that will once again take over Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) from May 9 to 11, this year in Zabeel Halls 2 and 3. Tickets are on sale for the weekend-long event, which returns bigger, bolder, and more immersive than ever before.
Friends and families will be able to discover an exciting line-up of non-stop gaming, fresh new activations, next-level entertainment, immersive activities, and exciting prizes spread across eight interactive zones - with every experience completely free to play. Adding to the excitement, epic influencer showdowns will take centre stage as part of Play Beyond on May 10 and 11, featuring the region's top gaming influencers and esports pros like Abo Flah.
The final day of GameExpo on May 11 will set the stage for the thrilling Dubai Cosplay Championship, with registration open until May 7 for cosplayers of all levels and abilities to showcase their creativity for a chance to win prizes worth up to AED30,000 - judged by top cosplayers from the region. -
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