“Dubai Digital Games and Sports Festival 2026” will return in May 2026

Dubai is preparing to host one of the largest and most distinguished events in the world of games and digital sports, with the return of the “Dubai Games and Digital Sports Festival 2026” in its fifth session during the period from May 8 to 24, transforming the city into a global platform that brings together game lovers, creators, and sector pioneers under one roof.

The organization of the 2026 session comes at an important time for Dubai’s creative and digital economy, especially with the issuance of two decisions by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Media Council, to form two specialized committees, the first concerned with developing the film sector, and the second with developing the electronic games sector, within the framework of Dubai’s long-term vision to diversify its economy.

The festival, which has been organized by the Dubai Festivals and Retail Corporation, affiliated with the Department of Economy and Tourism in Dubai since 2022, continues its growth and development to become one of the most prominent international festivals specializing in digital games and sports. In the 2025 edition, it was able to attract more than 45,000 visitors from families, amateurs and professionals by organizing 12 major events spanning 17 days, which strengthened Dubai’s position as a fundamental pillar within the global gaming system.

The festival embodies a strategic platform to attract talent, sector leaders and international investments, empower local competencies, and support the growth of the gaming economy and creative sectors, which is in line with the ambitious vision to achieve the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda 33D, which aims to consolidate the emirate’s position to be among the top three global economic cities.

On this occasion, Ahmed Al Khaja, Executive Director of the Dubai Festivals and Retail Corporation, said: “The Dubai Games and Digital Sports Festival has rapidly developed into a strategic platform that reflects Dubai’s global ambition in the fields of games, digital sports and innovation. The fifth session of the festival reinforces the emirate’s commitment to attracting talent and investments, as well as empowering the new generation of creators, and accelerating the growth of the gaming system in line with its ambitious economic vision. The festival continues to strengthen Dubai’s position as a global center for gaming and interactive entertainment by bringing together industry leaders, developers, investors and fans in a comprehensive celebration held city-wide.”

In line with the “Year of the Family” in the UAE, this year’s session pays greater attention to the participation of young people and different age groups through interactive experiences that bring together different generations through play, creativity and joint exploration.

This year’s festival program schedule includes competitive tournaments and events, business platforms for game makers and investors, educational initiatives for youth and students, as well as interactive activities for the retail sector in various parts of Dubai, enhancing the city’s position as a leading global destination for digital entertainment and innovation.

Highlights of events
Highlights of the new edition of the festival include key events such as GameExpo, GameExpo Summit powered by Pocket Gamer Connects, Play Beyond, and the Dubai Cosplay Championship, as well as new large-scale interactive experiences designed for families, youth, students and creatives.

The festival will be held over the course of more than two weeks, presenting an exciting city-wide program, while providing multiple ways to participate, compete, learn and play, starting from live games and competitions, to creative challenges, student and youth participation, and future dialogues, in a way that meets the interests of everyone from ordinary players and fans to students, young creatives and families.