Dubai’s vision for the future of gaming was presented at Gamescom 2025, the world’s largest gaming event, held in Cologne, Germany. The Dubai Pavilion attracted visitors, international delegations, and global companies interested in exploring opportunities in the emirate and the UAE’s gaming sector.
This marked the first official government-led participation from the Middle East at Gamescom. The Dubai Pavilion brought together three key entities: Dubai Future Foundation, Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), and Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC). The delegation highlighted Dubai’s plans to strengthen its position as a hub for gaming, creativity, and digital industries.
Visitors to the pavilion were introduced to the Dubai Program for Gaming 2033 (DPG33), an initiative launched by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Dubai Future Foundation. The program aims to position Dubai among the world’s top 10 gaming hubs by 2033, create 30,000 new jobs in the industry, and contribute nearly USD 1 billion to the emirate’s digital economy and GDP.
Abdulaziz AlJaziri, Deputy CEO of Dubai Future Foundation, said:
“Gamescom provided a unique platform to showcase Dubai’s vision and leadership in gaming, while highlighting the city’s attractiveness as a global destination for investment, talent, and partnerships. Dubai’s innovation-driven ecosystem offers unmatched support for creative, digital, educational, and entertainment industries, positioning the emirate as one of the world’s most competitive hubs for gaming companies and entrepreneurs.”
Faisal Kazim, Director of the Dubai Program for Gaming 2033, added:
“The global interest in the Dubai Pavilion reflects the strong momentum behind our efforts to establish Dubai as an international hub for game development and creative innovation. Since the launch of DPG33, Dubai has already succeeded in attracting hundreds of specialised gaming companies and businesses in related fields, underlining the city’s ability to create opportunities at scale.”
Gamescom 2025 recorded participation from 72 countries, more than 1,500 exhibitors, and an exhibition space covering 233,000 square metres, reaffirming its role as a leading global platform for the gaming industry.
