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.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
UAE Moments
a day ago
- UAE Moments
Brian Eno and Others to Headline Palestine Benefit Concert in London
British music legend Brian Eno will join forces with some of today's biggest names in music for 'Together for Palestine,' one of the largest benefit concerts for Palestine since the escalation of the conflict on October 7, 2023. The event will take place at Wembley Arena in London on September 17, 2025, bringing together top British and Palestinian musicians to raise funds for humanitarian aid in Gaza. The 12,500-capacity concert is being curated by Eno himself and will support Choose Love, a UK-based charity working with 23 organizations on the ground in Gaza to provide essential food, medical supplies, and other urgent aid. The star-studded lineup includes Damon Albarn, Obongjayar, and Jamie xx, alongside Palestinian talents Adnan Joubran, Faraj Suleiman, and Nai Barghouti. Special appearances are also scheduled from Rina Sawayama, PinkPantheress, and Riz Ahmed, adding to the concert's diverse and powerful roster. In a statement, Eno, long known for his advocacy for Palestinian rights, emphasized the importance of the event: 'In the face of the horrors of Gaza, silence becomes complicity. Artists have always helped societies to point out injustice and imagine better futures. That's why this concert matters. It's time for us to come together — not just to raise our voices, but to reaffirm our shared humanity.' With its blend of internationally acclaimed performers and deeply rooted Palestinian artistry, 'Together for Palestine' promises not only an unforgettable musical experience but also a significant moment of solidarity for Gaza. Organizers expect the event to sell out quickly, with proceeds directly aiding those affected by the ongoing crisis.
Broadcast Pro
a day ago
- Broadcast Pro
Desert Eagle Films and BUC Studios sign five-year deal for 10 Arab films
For the first time, an academic-backed studio has signed a multi-year, multi-film co-ownership deal with a commercial producer to create theatrical films for global release. In a landmark first for the Arab world, Desert Eagle Films (DEF) and BUC Studios have entered a five-year agreement to co-develop, co-produce and co-own a slate of ten theatrical feature films, marking one of the most ambitious production deals in modern cinema. The partnership combines DEF's global production network, creative leadership and distribution capabilities with BUC Studios' purpose-built facilities, institutional vision and cross-disciplinary creative infrastructure. While operating as an independent commercial studio, BUC Studios is backed by Badr University in Cairo and supported by CIRA Education, the education investment group, a backing that ensures financial stability and access to a vast pool of talent and resources spanning engineering, architecture, digital media and design. Unlike educational sponsorships or training initiatives, the alliance is a fully resourced, long-term studio collaboration aimed at creating a new cinematic era for the Middle East. It represents the first time an academic-backed studio has signed a multi-year, multi-film co-ownership deal with a commercial production company for theatrical releases designed for global audiences. Each film will be independently developed, financed through a hybrid studio model, and produced to international standards, while remaining deeply rooted in the cultural DNA of the region. 'We're not here to follow what's been done,' said Mo Ismail, Founder of Desert Eagle Films. 'We're here to rewrite how cinema is made in this region. We're building the system we've all been waiting for — and now, it's real.' Under the agreement, projects will harness DEF's production and distribution expertise alongside BUC Studios' centralised facilities and creative resources. Each title will benefit from applied research, cross-disciplinary consultation, industry and institutional talent, and a real-time development-to-distribution strategy. Intellectual property rights will be jointly owned, allowing both partners to build equity, legacy, and repeatability across the slate. Jeremie Green, DEF's Head of Production, described the venture as the first time in the region where institutional knowledge, physical infrastructure and real-world production have been integrated into a functioning multi-film slate. Genres will range from historical epics and action thrillers to elevated dramas and futuristic narratives, with all projects designed for wide international release while retaining the cultural and visual identity of the Arab world. Global theatrical distribution for the films is already secured, covering hundreds of screens with coordinated multi-market rollouts. For DEF and BUC Studios, the deal signals a new era where the Middle East can produce, own and control its cinematic storytelling without external gatekeepers. 'We're not just investing in ten films,' added Ismail. 'We're investing in a future where the Middle East doesn't just consume cinema — it creates it, owns it, and leads it.'
Campaign ME
2 days ago
- Campaign ME
Sony and Fnatic bring hands-on fan activation to EWC
As part of a regional push to connect with gaming audiences, Sony Middle East and Africa partnered with UK-based esports organisation Fnatic for an on-ground activation at the 2025 Esports World Cup (EWC) in Riyadh. Held at the Content Creator Park between 8 -13 July, the activation focused on direct fan engagement and hands-on product experiences. Fnatic is a global esports performance brand known for fielding professional teams in titles such as Valorant, League of Legends and Counter-Strike. The organisation also develops training tools and creates content aimed at competitive gamers. At the Riyadh activation, fans were able to meet and interact with Fnatic's professional Valorant players, including Jake 'Boaster' Howlett and Austin 'Crashies' Roberts. The booth gave visitors the opportunity to try Sony's INZONE H5 and H9 wireless headsets, as well as the new INZONE M10S gaming monitor. These products were developed in close collaboration with Fnatic's professional. Fnatic's teams currently use the INZONE peripherals in training and competition, making the demo sessions a reflection of Fnatic's setups. It also featured giveaways, casual play sessions and team meet-and-greets aimed at giving fans time with the players in an informal setting. 'With more than 33 million gamers across the GCC, and nearly 62 per cent of the total gaming population in Saudi Arabia. This experience taps into a deeply passionate and fast‑growing audience, creating this memorable experience allows fans to engage with the Fnatic Team in a real gaming environment', said Jobin Joejoe, Managing Director, Sony Middle East and Africa. The activation reflects the growing investment in esports in Saudi Arabia, where the local gaming market surpassed SAR 7.88bn in 2024. Esports alone contributed over SAR 83m in revenue. Sam Mathews, CEO of Fnatic, said: 'This partnership with Sony INZONE is all about creating special moments that bring us closer to the fans. We're proud to be here in Riyadh, right where our community is.' A second public appearance was held at Sony World in Granada Mall, Riyadh on 10 July, where Fnatic players took part in a meet-and-greet, joined by further demos and product testing of the InZone range. Fnatic also participated in the Esports World Cup's official Valorant tournament, where 16 international teams competed for a SAR 4.69m prize pool in front of live audiences at Boulevard Riyadh City.
