Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE) has announced the return of the Dubai Esports and Games Festival (DEF).
The fourth edition of the region’s largest esports and gaming festival will feature a diverse programme of entertainment, competitions, and industry events, further reinforcing Dubai’s position as a global gaming hub.
DEF 2025 aims to strengthen Dubai’s position as a key player in the gaming industry, offering unparalleled gaming experiences, exciting esports tournaments, cutting-edge industry insights, and family fun events for all ages and interests.
Key highlights of the upcoming edition include exclusive meet-and-greet sessions with top stars, world-first game showings, and the return of popular experiences such as the GameExpo, GameExpo Summit, Dubai Cosplay Championship, and Play Beyond. The festival will also feature citywide tournaments, education challenges, and interactive experiences catering to gaming enthusiasts of all ages.
Last year’s edition brought together thousands of fans, families, and professionals, with the DEF GameExpo welcoming over 28,000 visitors from more than 100 nationalities across three days at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Sixteen regional tournaments saw participation from over 3.6 million players, with significant prizes awarded.
The DEF Education Programme creatively engaged more than 6,000 students from 230 schools and universities through career talks, skills workshops, and challenges. The festival also attracted 2,000 industry professionals, strengthening Dubai’s status as a regional hub for gaming and esports.
DEF is a key event in Dubai’s efforts to expand its gaming industry on the international stage. The festival supports the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which aims to further consolidate Dubai’s position as one of the top global cities to live, visit, and work. It also contributes to economic development through digital innovation, while supporting SME growth by empowering emerging gaming talent and promoting career opportunities in esports across the UAE.
The event is set to take place from 25 April to 11 May.
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