Organised by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), GameExpo 2026 will return to Dubai World Trade Centre from 5 to 7 June, bringing together gamers, esports players, cosplay enthusiasts and families for three days of gaming, competitions and interactive experiences.
As the flagship consumer event of the Dubai Esports and Games Festival (DEF), GameExpo 2026 will feature more than 300 games and over 100 gaming devices across a range of themed zones and attractions.
This year’s edition introduces several new experiences, including Neo Tokyo District, an anime-inspired area featuring themed installations, interactive activities, merchandise and photo opportunities inspired by franchises such as Naruto, One Piece and Death Note. Visitors can also explore the Jetour Velocity Garage, which will feature more than 20 sim racing machines and virtual racing tracks, along with the SIMR sim racing finals. All ticket holders will be entered into a prize draw to win a vehicle. The new Amazon Battle Arena will offer an indoor laser tag experience with maze-style gameplay and team-based missions.
Returning attractions include the Main Arena, where esports tournaments, influencer competitions, cosplay showcases and live entertainment will take place throughout the event. The Gaming District will provide access to more than 100 gaming devices featuring titles such as EA FC 26, Valorant, Fortnite, League of Legends and Tekken 8 across both PC and console platforms.
The Family Zone will offer activities suitable for visitors of all ages, including meet-and-greet sessions with Modesh and Dana. The Future Lab will showcase experiences focused on artificial intelligence, robotics, virtual reality and STEM education. Cosplay Village, presented in partnership with Comicave, will provide dedicated activities and programming for cosplay fans.
Additional attractions include the Just Dance Stage, the Retro Zone featuring classic arcade and pinball games, and The Narrows marketplace, which will bring together more than 80 artists, collectors and local vendors.
The Dubai Cosplay Championship will be held on 7 June in the Main Arena, with a prize pool of AED 50,000 across Pro, Novice and Junior categories. Registration is free, and visitors attending on 5 and 6 June are welcome to attend in costume without participating in the competition.
Food and beverage options will be available through two dedicated talabat zones featuring more than 20 food trucks and stalls located across the venue.
GameExpo 2026 will take place across Halls 6, 7 and 8 at Dubai World Trade Centre and can be accessed by car, taxi or the Dubai Metro via Dubai World Trade Centre Station.
