Dubai is hosting the Dubai Esports & Games Festival (DEF) 2026 from May 22 to June 7, positioning gaming as fast-growing industry and a platform for developing real-world skills.
Organised by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), the festival features more than 300 gaming experiences across 10 zones.
A key highlight is the Education and Gaming Summit on June 4,
which will bring together students, universities, and global industry leaders
to explore academic and career pathways in the gaming sector.
Workshops will showcase skills in game development, content
creation, and professional gaming, focusing on transferable abilities such as
teamwork, communication, creativity, and strategic thinking.
The festival aligns with Dubai Economic Agenda D33 goals to
advance technology and digital innovation. DEF will conclude with GameExpo from
June 5 to 7 at Dubai World Trade Centre, combining gaming, esports,
entertainment, retail, food.
Muna Al Falasi, Director of Esports and Games Strategy at
Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), said: “The complexities of
gaming today help develop a huge range of skills that can be applicable across
multiple real-world scenarios and the DEF Education and Gaming Summit will put
some of these in focus in the presence of more than 1,000 attendees. People
will learn that when players are in action, they are developing everything from
communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills through to reaction time
and hand-eye coordination.”
Al Falasi added: “Dubai Esports & Games Festival
highlights this potential,with GameExpo offering a platform for people to
engage, develop, and experience these skills in action. We encourage as many
people to attend, especially the DEF Education and Gaming Summit.” -TradeArabia News Service