Dubai, June 2026: GameExpo came to an end on Sunday, bringing the curtain down on three days of thrilling competitions, immersive gaming experiences, and family-friendly entertainment that transformed the Dubai World Trade Centre into the region’s ultimate gaming destination.
Across the weekend, the venue attracted thousands of people of all ages, and they were not short of options for activities.
Cosplay competitions, tournaments and fan-first experiences were the highlights on a busy schedule with the event attended by some of the biggest names in gaming and sport. Among them were prominent content creator AboFlah , UAE international footballer Yahya AlGhassani, Maryam Meher, Bahraini professional gamer, Amjad “AngryBird” Al-Shalabi, and Evo champion, and Adel “Big Bird” Anouche.
Headlining the day’s schedule was the highly anticipated Cosplay Championship that attracted some of the region’s eye-catching costumes with participants battling for a share of the AED 50,000 prize pool.
Also held on the final day was the Simr Racing Finals by TechXHub, Lego Build Challenge, Sony Inzone competitions, True Gamers x DEF tournaments, and the Red Bull Gaming Ground Finals – all being popular with the visitors.
The gaming and entertainment schedule brought GameExpo to a thrilling finish as people experienced 10 zones including the Neo Tokyo District, offering fans a fully immersive environment that blends retail, fandom and visual storytelling. The Amazon Battle Arena brought gaming into the physical world, delivering a live-action, competitive experience that added a new dimension to gameplay while Jetour Velocity Garage introduced high-intensity racing simulations, allowing visitors to step into the world of motorsport through cutting-edge gaming technology.
Visitors were able to play more than 300 games with the Gaming District offering a wide selection of playable titles, allowing them to discover new games and revisit favourites while the Family Zone created a welcoming space for younger audiences.
The Retro Zone brought nostalgic gaming back to life, connecting generations through timeless classics and shared memories while The Narrows, supported by Dubai Culture, returned as a curated creative marketplace, spotlighting local and Emirati artists, businesses, designers and creators across gaming and pop culture.
Furthermore, as well as Talabat F&B Zones offering a diverse selection of restaurants for visitors to enjoy, talabat collaborated with Riot Games that saw gamers compete in League of Legends and Valorant tournaments throughout the three-day event.
One lucky GameExpo ticket holder will drive away in a brand-new Jetour T2 Luxury Plus, courtesy of Elite Group Holding, with organisers set to reveal the winner on Wednesday.
The Dubai Esports & Games Festival (DEF) 2026 was presented by du, with the support of key partners including Amazon, Dubai Culture, Jetour UAE, part of Elite Group Holding, talabat, Roxy Cinemas, Rove Hotels, Red Bull Gaming Ground, Emirates Esports Federation, Dubai Sports Council, Dubai Police, DMCC Gaming Centre and Dubai SME. Together, these leading organizations are helping power one of the region’s largest celebrations of gaming, esports, and digital entertainment.
About Dubai Esports & Games Festival:
Organised by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), the Dubai Esports & Games Festival (DEF 2026) takes place from 22 May to 7 June 2026. Launched in 2022, the annual festival aims to set and influence trends across the global and regional gaming industry, while bolstering Dubai’s position as a global hub for esports and interactive, tech-driven entertainment. DEF features a diverse mix of experiences, including flagship gaming events, esports tournaments, educational initiatives, and industry-led platforms that connect communities, talent, and businesses from around the world.
About Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment:
Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), is responsible for developing Dubai’s retail and festival sectors and supporting the positioning of Dubai as a world-class tourism destination with year-round family entertainment, shopping and events.
