Gaming enthusiasts can rally their squads and plan their visits to the Dubai Esports & Games Festival (DEF 2024) as an action-packed calendar of events happening across the city is announced.
The festival, in its third edition, returns in its biggest celebration of gaming and esports yet, marking an epic celebration of gaming culture organised by the Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE).
Taking place from 19 April to 5 May, DEF 2024 will enable families, fans and gamers to discover one-of-a-kind gaming experiences, witness thrilling tournaments and also be part of them, enjoy meet-ups with gaming legends, and catch up on industry insights straight from the experts.
All eyes on GameExpo
Tickets for the immersive GameExpo, a highlight of the festival, are now available with a 25 percent early bird discount. Scheduled from 3 to 5 May at Dubai World Trade Centre, it offers non-stop gaming action, live tournaments, gaming gear giveaways, and opportunities to meet gaming icons. The Narrows will showcase gaming pop culture, while the Family Zone encourages family gaming. The Electric Avenue features the latest gaming electronics, and the Gaming District presents new game releases. Exciting activities like cosplay, esports tournaments, coding workshops, and Minecraft challenges are also lined up. Ticket prices start from AED 21.75 for one day, with weekend passes from AED 44.25. Family and VIP ticket options are available for enhanced experiences.
GameExpo Summit
On 1 and 2 May, the GameExpo Summit, powered by Pocket Gamer Connects, will gather more than 1800+ industry professionals and brands from around the world including publishers, developers, service providers and investors who will share their expertise in a schedule of insightful talks, panels and seminars. Taking place in Zabeel Hall 4 at DWTC, this ticketed event features a packed schedule of activities including the Publisher Speedmatch, Investor Connector, and the Big Indie Pitch, connecting industry professionals with one another. Tickets can be booked through link.
Chance to get into character
An exciting opportunity for all levels of cosplayers to join in this vibrant subculture of gaming. The Dubai Cosplay Championship will give creative gaming fans the chance to show off their inspiring costumes and performances of their favourite characters and be in with the chance of winning amazing prizes. On 3 May, cosplayers in attendance can show off their creations in the cosplay catwalk where they will be given just three seconds to wow judges by getting into character. Then on 4 May, cosplayers will compete to be crowned the Dubai Cosplay Championship winners. One individual or group will be chosen from each of the three categories: Kids, Craft and Performance.
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.
Ramadan tournaments
During the Holy Month, gamers can participate in the GameCentric Ramadan League, featuring online tournaments with prizes totaling up to AED 20,000 and involving over 6,000 participants. The League includes thrilling competitions, including a League of Legends tournament with prizes worth AED 6,000 from April 11 to 14. Gamers can register on the GameCentric website. Additionally, gamers can join the UAE PC Cafe Master Cup 2024, supported by DEF and Riot Games, featuring tournaments across eight cafes in Dubai with a total prize pool of AED 15,000. A new event for 2024, PC Cafe goers will compete in 5v5 Valorant qualifiers, with qualified teams advancing to represent their cafes in a final showdown to determine Dubai’s best PC cafe.
Educational engagement
To nurture future gaming professionals, students can enhance their digital skills through the Microsoft MakeCode Competition and the Minecraft Education Challenge, leading to a live tournament on May 1. Industry experts will conduct talks in schools and universities, offering insights and guidance. In-school tournaments featuring popular titles like Rocket League and Fortnite, along with university-level competitions in EAFC 24 and Valorant, provide hands-on experience. DEF Gamers Day on April 26 encourages creativity with gaming character costumes, while dedicated school days on May 1 and 2 at GameExpo offer interactive exhibits, live tournaments, and more. The DEF Education Programme is free for registered schools and universities. Additionally, Google Gaming Day on April 25 at American University in Dubai provides students with an educational session, free for the first time in the UAE, with registration details available on DEF socials after Eid.
For school and university tournaments, career talks, free visits to GameExpo, and to enter Microsoft MakeCode, registration can be completed here: Registration Link.
News Source: Dubai Media Office
