Dubai Esports & Games Festival (DEF 2023) is set to make a highly anticipated return from 21 to 25 June 2023 at the South Halls, Dubai Exhibition Centre, Expo City. Organized by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), the festival aims to celebrate the gaming industry, interactive tech-driven entertainment, and position Dubai as a global hub for esports.
DEF 2023 will feature an interactive consumer show, regional and influencer esports tournaments, influencer challenges, a business conference, and B2B networking events. The festival will also host the GameExpo Summit powered by PG connects, providing a platform for regional leaders to collaborate and drive further growth in the gaming industry. A new addition to DEF 2023 is the Play Beyond! event, which will bring together international influencers.
The festival’s education engagement program will offer students opportunities to explore gaming and esports as avenues for talent development and innovative career paths. Students will participate in a Minecraft Education Challenge and a MakeCode competition, showcasing their coding and gaming skills. Career talks from industry professionals and cosplay theme dress-up days will further enhance the educational offering.
Ahmed Al Khaja, CEO of DFRE, expressed excitement for the second edition of DEF, highlighting Dubai’s goal to become a global destination for esports and gaming. The festival aims to establish a legacy for esports and interactive entertainment, inspire the next generation of talent, and tap into the vast market potential for esports and gaming.
