GAMERS – IT’S TIME! DUBAI ESPORTS AND GAMES FESTIVAL KICKS OFF TOMORROW
It’s time forgaming fans to dive into the thrilling citywide Dubai Esports & Games Festival (DEF 2024), running from 19 April to 5 May. Organised by the Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), the third edition of the highly anticipated festival returns for an action-packed calendar of events across the city bringing its biggest celebration of gaming and esports yet.
Families, fans, and gamers of all levels are invited to discover one-of-a-kind gaming experiences, join and watch thrilling tournaments, witness cutting-edge game reveals, enjoy meet-ups with gaming legends, and catch up on industry insights straight from the experts.
All Eyes on GameExpo
Tickets are still available for the immersive GameExpo, which promises high-energy excitement and one-of-a-kind gaming experiences for visitors of all ages. Taking place from 3 to 5 May at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) in Zabeel Halls 5 and 6, fans can immerse themselves in non-stop gaming action, experience the latest games with friends, and watch awe-inspiring tournaments live. Gamers can win cool new gear and get up close with leading regional and global gaming influencers.
Enthusiasts can also look forward to a showcase of gaming pop culture at The Narrows, bringing together up-and-coming and experienced Middle East artists to present their most recent works across a range of media, take guest commissions, and connect with other artists and fans.
In what promises to be a truly unforgettable experience for all, families can bond over gaming match-ups at the all-new Family Zone, while the Electric Avenue features specialised electronics retailers showcasing the latest gaming gear, and the Gaming District unveils the latest cutting-edge games including Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, Dragon’s Dogma 2, Contra: Operation Galuga, and Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, as well as previews.
Adding to the excitement is a diverse schedule of activations including the Dubai Cosplay Championship, esports tournaments, coding workshops, and Minecraft family challenges to keep fans buzzing throughout the three-day extravaganza.
One-day passes can be purchased starting from AED 29 for students and AED 59 for adults, or visitors can make bookings for full attendance over the three days with weekend tickets starting from AED 59 for students and AED 119 for adults. Families of two adults and two children can book a day ticket from AED 119 or a three-day pass from AED 299. For an enhanced one-day experience, limited VIP tickets are available for Saturday or Sunday starting from AED 359 and include enhanced access to the Play Beyond Influencer Meet and Greet, priority seating, and an AED 100 food and beverage voucher. Tickets can be booked through this link. Kids below 5 years of age enter for free.
GameExpo is hosted with the support of Dubai Future Foundation, Dubai Next, Dubai Police, Dubai Sports Council and in partnership with Emirates NBD, Red Bull, Rove, Talabat and VOX as well as Virgin Radio, Tik Tok.
GameExpo Summit
On 1 and 2 May, the GameExpo Summit, powered by Pocket Gamer Connects, gathers more than 1,800+ industry professionals and brands from around the world including publishers, developers, service providers, and investors to share their expertise in a schedule of insightful talks, panels, and seminars. Taking place in Zabeel Hall 4 at DWTC, the ticketed event features a packed schedule of activities including the Publisher Speedmatch, Investor Connector, MENA Games Industry Awards, and the Big Indie Pitch for industry professionals. Tickets can be booked through this link.
Gaming Matters Academy
Gamers, aspiring executives, and up-and-coming gaming scene professionals can join the Gaming Matters Academy on 29 April to discover fresh ways to upskill and thrive in the industry. Taking place at the iconic Museum of the Future in Dubai, the conference aims to help attendees unlock the skills required to become the next generation of gaming industry leaders. Visitors will find inspiration in mentorship, training, and knowledge-sharing opportunities led by global gaming industry experts. The event is free to attend and requires pre-registration at the Museum of the Future website.
Get Into Character
The Dubai Cosplay Championship bringsan exciting opportunity for all levels of cosplayers to join this vibrant subculture of gaming, giving creative gaming fans the chance to show off their inspiring costumes and performances of their favourite characters for a chance to win amazing prizes. On 3 May, cosplayers can show off their creations on the cosplay catwalk and wow judges by getting into character. On 4 May, cosplayers can compete to be crowned winners in the Dubai Cosplay Championship. One individual or group will be chosen across three categories: Kids, Craft, and Performance. Link here for more information.
Play Beyond
On 4 and 5 May at DWTC, gaming enthusiasts can watch their favourite gamers go head-to-head in the ultimate gaming showdown, as two teams of four gaming stars each battle it out in a thrilling live show of the best gaming talent. Adding to the excitement, fans with VIP tickets can also meet their gaming heroes in meet and greet sessions.
Educational Engagement
Inspiring the next generation of gaming professionals in the region, students can finetune their digital skills in the Microsoft MakeCode Competition and the Minecraft Education Challenge, which will culminate in a thrilling live tournament on 1 May. A series of talks by industry experts held in participating schools and universities have been designed to support aspiring young gamers in refining their skills and gaining insights about the industry, while in-school tournaments offer an exciting opportunity for students to play popular titles such as Rocket League and Fortnite, with university students battling it out on EAFC 24 and Valorant. University students can visit gamecentric.io/def24 to register.
On 25 April, the Google Gaming Day at American University in Dubai brings together government, industry, and Google gaming leaders to deliver a free and exciting half-day session to students for the first time ever in the UAE. Students can register now at the Google Gaming Day link.
On 26 April, the DEF Gamers Day offers students and staff the chance to show off their creativity by dressing up as their favourite gaming characters.On 1 and 2 May, dedicated school days will provide students a first-hand experience at GameExpo, where they can engage with interactive exhibits, gaming showcases, live tournament finals and more.
The DEF Education Programme is offered free to all registered schools and universities.
Please visit the DEF website for more information and to register for ticket updates on Dubai Esports & Games Festival 2024.
Last Updated on 9 months by News Desk 2
