The ultimate gaming playground opens its doors, kicking off three days of gaming, esports, entertainment and immersive experiences

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 6 June 2026: GameExpo 2026 has officially opened as part of Dubai Esports & Games Festival (DEF) 2026, welcoming gamers, creators and families for the first day of this weekend's mega flagship event.

Visitors of all ages enjoyed a packed opening day, with interactive experiences, live competitions and family-friendly fun at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) across Exhibition Halls 5, 6, 7, & 8. The event is organised by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).

Among the key highlights on the first day included the DMCC VR Challenge, Rove Gaming Nights Award Ceremony, Dubai Police: Fortnight Map Showcase, Cosplay Catwalk by Comicave, and True Gamers x DEF tournaments.

With two days left of GameExpo, individuals are encouraged not to miss out the wide variety of activities and entertainment that are on offer. 

Tickets start from AED 29, with ticket holders having an exciting opportunity to win a brand-new Jetour T2 Luxury Plus courtesy of Elite Group Holding with their GameExpo ticket. Visitors can also benefit from up to six hours of free parking at DWTC's Mustaqbal Parking and Exhibition Street Parking.

The Dubai Esports & Games Festival (DEF) 2026 is presented by du, with the support of key partners including Amazon, Dubai Culture, Jetour UAE, part of Elite Group Holding, and talabat. Together, these leading organisations are helping power one of the region's largest celebrations of gaming, esports, and digital entertainment.