It’s time for the city to dive into endless creativity and all-round fun as the power-packed Dubai Esports and Games Festival (DEF) returns with its epic fourth edition from 25 April to 11 May. Promising to be bolder, more legendary, and more immersive than ever before, this year invites everyone and anyone – especially families and friends looking for a fun day out – to discover an exciting line-up of non-stop free-to-play gaming experiences, fresh new activations, and massive prizes worth a whopping AED 500,000.
Organisers Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE) are pulling out all the stops to ensure DEF 2025 brings a not-to-be-missed citywide celebration for everyone. Visitors of all ages, interests, and abilities can join the action with creative cosplay competitions, thrilling tournaments, cutting-edge game reveals, meet-ups with gaming legends, and the latest industry insights straight from leading regional and global experts. Whether showing off dance skills, dressing up as a favourite character, or competing for instant prizes, every attendee has a chance to take part, play, and win.
NEW ZONES AND EXPERIENCES AT GAMEEXPO 2025
This year’s GameExpo, the flagship event of the festival, moves to Zabeel Halls 2 and 3 at Dubai World Trade Centre with an expansive, reimagined space. Eight interactive zones are packed with next-level entertainment and immersive activities in a welcoming and thrilling environment. From first-time launches and hands-on tech showcases to cosplay, tournaments, and live showdowns – every single experience is free to play.
A brand-new highlight of the eight specially curated zones at GameExpo is The Amazon Quest, an “In Real Life” (IRL) experience brought to you by Amazon that moves gaming beyond screens. This interactive zone features four challenges that test participants’ real-world skills, strategy, and coordination as they compete for prizes from Amazon.ae in this hands-on adventure.
Also debuting at GameExpo 2025 is the first-ever Just Dance Zone, in partnership with Ubisoft. This energetic space invites attendees to dance off, compete live, and enjoy themed photo ops, all to the best tracks from the Just Dance franchise. With solo and group participation, the zone is a fun, inclusive destination for families, casual gamers, and music lovers alike, complete with giveaways and high-energy entertainment throughout the festival. Adding to the fun, the Dubai Just Dance Championship hosted in collaboration with Ubisoft on 11 May brings the chance for finalists to take home a Nintendo Switch and many more amazing prizes.
Making its GCC debut, The Vintage Company will showcase an extraordinary collection of retro and rare gaming memorabilia. Visitors can also engage with the Next Grading certification corner, where they can meet expert graders, purchase certified collectibles, or submit their own vintage games for grading.
In a world-first unveiling, global developer Antifreeze launches a brand-new gaming console exclusively at DEF 2025 for attendees to try for the first time ever. Those who successfully conquer the daily on-stand challenges stand the chance to win exciting prizes.
Tickets for GameExpo 2025 are now on sale on Platinumlist for students, families, and fans. One-day entry is priced at AED 39 for students and AED 69 for adults. Those planning to attend all three days can opt for multi-day passes, priced at AED 69 for students and AED 139 for adults. A limited number of Pro Gamer Experience tickets are also available, giving fans one-day access to exclusive meet-and-greets with top creators such as Abo Flah, for AED 199. Families of six (two adults and four children) can enjoy a one-day pass for AED 149 or access all three days of GameExpo 2025 for AED 299.
GAME ON, FUTURE CREATORS
The DEF Educational Engagement Programme has been inspiring the next generation of young gamers for years – and this year, it’s back, bigger and fresher than ever. Packed with brand-new experiences, the citywide programme gives school students and educators a unique chance to dive into the dynamic world of esports and gaming, and compete for incredible prizes worth an astounding AED 50,000 across tournaments and challenges.
The programme includes the Power Up Parade Week, from 28 April to 2 May, inviting students, teachers, and parents to dress up as their favourite gaming characters and share their costumes with @DubaiFestivals for a chance to win prizes.
Debuting for the first time in DEF 2025, Game Changers invites students to reimagine the future of gaming. Individuals or teams are invited to submit proposals exploring how gaming can inspire innovation, support education, or drive social impact. The top five submissions, selected by industry judges, will be presented live at GameExpo on 8 May. Finalists receive prizes from sponsors and be recognised as DEF’s most forward-thinking young talents.
Alongside all the action, students and educators can take part in expert-led presentations and exclusive interactive workshops delivered by senior educators from Microsoft and Unreal Engine, designed to offer valuable insights into the wide range of career opportunities within gaming and esports.
Adding even more depth to DEF Educational Engagement Programme is GameOn with HP Gaming Garage, an online hackathon that runs until 8 May. Finalists from the hackathon are given the opportunity to present their prototypes live at GameExpo, offering a platform for visibility, mentorship, and professional growth within the gaming industry.
COMPETITIONS, PRIZES, AND ONLINE GLORY
DEF 2025 brings non-stop action to the city, with high-stakes tournaments happening throughout the event. One of the headline competitions is the DEF PlayStation EAFC 25 Cup, culminating in a high-energy, live grand finale at GameExpo in Dubai on 10 May. For UAE-based gamers, there’s an added opportunity; two wildcard entrants have the chance to earn their place in the final showdown through a dedicated qualifier event taking place on 9 May from 6–9pm in the GameExpo Gaming District. These finalists will compete for a share of the AED 36,700 ($10,000) prize pool.
Launching this May, the Yalla Ludo Challenge runs from 29 April to 6 May with a chance for mobile players to earn exclusive in-game rewards, collectibles, and top-tier bragging rights by climbing the leaderboard.
POP CULTURE POWER-UPS
Another exciting addition to DEF 2025 is JPEX Entertainment Exhibition, the Middle East’s first-ever expo dedicated exclusively to anime, manga, gaming, and Japanese entertainment. Taking place from 25 to 27 April at Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC), Expo City Dubai, Hall South 2A, this one-of-a-kind event is a celebration of Japanese pop culture in all its forms. With tickets starting at AED 105 and VIP three-day passes available, JPEX offers a jam-packed line-up of celebrity meet-and-greets, Japanese concerts, gaming tournaments, cosplay and TCG competitions, and immersive workshops. Visitors can explore artist alleys, shop unique merchandise, and enjoy curated F&B while meeting legendary Japanese voice actors and artists – many appearing in the region for the first time.
Rolling out for 2025, DEF x Roxy Cinemas Gamers Night brings the buzz of DEF to the big screen on 7 May with an exclusive one-night-only screening of Marvel’s Thunderbolts at Roxy Cinemas Dubai Hills Mall, City Walk, and The Beach, JBR. This special crossover event celebrates gaming and pop culture in a vibrant, community-first setting. Each attendee also receives a FREE Pro Gamer Pass to GameExpo, worth AED 199. With only 100 tickets available across all venues, DEF x Roxy Cinemas Gamers Night delivers a cinematic experience packed with festival energy and exclusive perks.
With even more content, more competitions, and more rewards than ever before, families, friends, and fans alike have neverending experiences to choose from. No matter the age, interest, or ability, DEF 2025 invites every visitor to discover endless joy, creativity, and fun.
Dubai Esports and Games Festival (DEF) 2025 is supported by Strategic Partners which include: Amazon, du, Dubai Police, Dubai Sports Council, Emirates NBD, Red Bull, Rove, Roxy Cinemas, talabat, and Virgin Radio.
For more information on Dubai Esports and Games Festival 2025, please visit the DEF 2025 website and follow @DubaiFestivals on Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn.
