15 May 2025, Thu |
10:04 AM
The Dubai Esports and Games Festival 2025 is back with its biggest edition yet. From 25 April to 11 May, the city will host 17 days of gaming excitement. Organized by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), this annual event is the region’s largest celebration of gaming and esports.
Fans can look forward to free-to-play zones with top games like League of Legends, Fortnite, EA FC 25, and PUBG Mobile. There will also be exclusive previews, arcade classics, console battles, and industry talks. Players of all levels can join competitions, tournaments, and cosplay contests with over AED 500,000 in prizes.
This year’s GameExpo takes place from 9 to 11 May at Dubai World Trade Centre. The venue features eight themed zones, including retro arcades, family games, Web3 experiences, and influencer meet-and-greets. New highlights include The Amazon Quest IRL Zone and Just Dance Zone with Ubisoft. Food and merchandise zones will also be available.
Tickets start at AED 39 for students and AED 69 for adults. Multi-day passes, Pro Gamer packages, and family bundles are also on sale via Platinumlist.
Cosplay fans can join the Dubai Cosplay Championship on 11 May. Cash prizes up to AED 30,000 are up for grabs. Meet-and-greets and daily cosplay shows add to the fun. Registration is open until 6 May.
GameExpo will also host Play Beyond on 10 and 11 May. Top influencers, including Abo Flah, will compete live in high-energy matchups. Fans can watch and take part in exciting challenges.
Students and educators can join the DEF Educational Engagement Programme. Activities include workshops, tournaments, and talks with gaming experts. School trips to GameExpo are planned for 8 May. Prizes worth AED 50,000 are available through student competitions.
More tournaments add to the excitement. The DEF PlayStation EA FC 25 Cup gives local players a chance to win part of a $10,000 prize. The Yalla Ludo Challenge, running from 29 April to 6 May, offers exclusive in-game rewards.
On 7 and 8 May, the GameExpo Summit gathers over 100 experts to discuss AI, Web3, mobile gaming, and industry trends. Networking, awards, and investor meetings are all part of the event.
The Dubai Esports and Games Festival 2025 is supported by partners such as Amazon, du, Dubai Police, Emirates NBD, Red Bull, and Virgin Radio. For more details and tickets, visit Platinumlist.
