Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) has announced that the city will host the first Dubai Esports Festival (DEF 2022) from November 9 to November 20, 2022 at the Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo City Dubai.
DEF 2022, which will be hosted in collaboration with VSPN, a global leader in esports total solutions, will be the first international leisure event to be held at the Dubai Exhibition Centre following the hugely successful Expo 2020, and is in line with His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s vision to position Dubai as a global city at the forefront of innovation and a leading events destination.
DET and VSPN will launch a series of events and activities beginning with DEF 2022 as part of a strategy to further elevate Dubai’s standing as a global hub for esports and interactive tech-driven entertainment. The festival will feature a top-tier international esports tournament with world-renowned professional esports players, the launch of a school tournament, a concert with high-profile artists, an immersive GameExpo, and an industry networking event for domestic, regional, and international stakeholders and partners.
The Initiate Summit will bring together the entire esports and gaming business ecosystem, including esports stars, experts, and industry establishments, to exchange best practices, build a strong network for accelerating momentum and growth, benchmark technologies, and invest in both the world’s fastest growing market, MENA, and a safe and inclusive esports culture.
Visitors to the GameExpo can participate in a variety of activities, such as playing classic games in the Retro section, getting their hands on the latest game releases, shopping for creative one-offs of their favorite fan fiction, or competing in competitions at a Cosplay stage, where they can win fabulous prizes. DET will organize both the Initiate Summit and GameExpo in collaboration with the Dubai World Trade Centre.
Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO, Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), commented: “We are pleased to partner with VSPN in hosting the Dubai Esports Festival, further reinforcing Dubai’s position as the top regional hub for esports, inspired by our visionary leadership’s goal to make Dubai the best city in the world to visit, live in, work and play. With this region being one of the world’s fastest-growing gaming markets, DEF will be a new annual festival that will build a legacy for esports and interactive entertainment companies, paving the way for high quality innovative content that will allow esports enthusiasts from around the world to enjoy the ultimate gaming experience.
“With the continuous support of our stakeholders and partners enabling a world-class esports ecosystem in Dubai, the launch of DEF will also build momentum across multiple mobile and digital platforms, help us tap into the vast market potential for esports and gaming and inspire the next generation of esports talent, all while highlighting the city’s position as a safe international events destination.”
Dino Ying, CEO of VSPN, said: “VSPN is committed to partnering with Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism to establish Dubai as a global hub in the burgeoning market of esports. DEF will serve as the cornerstone of a new esports ecosystem, an enduring cultural phenomenon and industry benchmark.”
“We will expand VSPN’s groundbreaking global esports ecosystem model alongside Dubai by setting up a comprehensive network of professional and amateur tournaments. Meanwhile, by bringing the world’s top esports IPs to Dubai, we can bring this unique industry ecology into a new era,” he further added.
Dubai, the MENA region’s leading esports hub, has built a world-class esports ecosystem by heavily investing in technology, infrastructure, education, and a new regulatory framework, in addition to a thriving tech start-up environment and a thriving, internet-savvy talent pool. DEF 2022 will allow Dubai to tap into, unlock, and leverage the vast esports potential in the MENA region.
Apart from engaging the growing community of esports enthusiasts and promoting Dubai as a year-round gaming destination, DEF 2022, with its exciting slogan ‘Play Beyond,’ is also intended to attract esports companies and game studios to establish a base in the city. VSPN recently opened its new regional headquarters in Dubai, emphasizing the city’s status as a top destination for entrepreneurs, multinational corporations, and investors.
