catcH THE DEF 2023 HIGHLIGHTS

ABOUT DUBAI ESPORTS AND
GAMES FESTIVAL 2023

The second edition of Dubai Esports and Games Festival took place in 2023 and amazed the global gaming community with five days of action-packed events and activities. More than 1,800 industry experts from around the world came together for the GameExpo Summit powered by PG Connects to share their insights and ideas.

There were exciting regional and school tournaments, new game drops, amazing exhibits, and different zones at GameExpo which offered a wide variety of immersive gaming adventures to more than 26,000 enthralled visitors. With over 75,000 of the best local and global gamers participating in a variety of esports tournaments and games at the event, DEF 2023 transformed the gaming landscape. Finally, to top it all off Play Beyond, the all-new influencer tournament featured AboFlah, Miniminter, Granthinds, Demisux, Basharkk, Saeed Wolf, Bashayer and Jukeyz. DEF 2023 was a wildly entertaining experience of a lifetime!

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What Happened This DEF 2023!

GAMEEXPO SUMMIT

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Spearheading innovation in the global games and esports industry, the GameExpo Summit powered by PG Connects was a B2B event for industry experts from around the world to unite and convene. With more than 1,800 high profile attendees enjoying over 50 engaging sessions, panels, and talks by over 100 industry thought leaders and government agencies. Cementing its reputation as the region’s premium games industry and B2B knowledge platform, over 2,000 meetings were held using the ‘MeetToMatch’ system, with 38 investors and developers meeting on Investor Connector to elevate the gametech sector in the UAE.

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GAMEEXPO

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The flagship event, the GameExpo, returned for an explosive celebration of all things gaming. The event brought an unmissable line-up of 14 esports competitions including high-octane Play Beyond Tournaments, all-time gaming classics at the Retro Zone, cutting-edge gaming products and the latest games, including 11 newly released games.

Eager gaming fans, families and the public played 57 unmissable games with attendees immersing themselves in the world of virtual reality, with gaming enthusiasts connecting in the Dubai Police Esports Arena and more than 40 exhibitors, including support from industry giants like Playstation, Xbox and Capcom. The event also saw an exciting cosplay competition with over 30 participants and amazing prizes.

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EDUCATION

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To inspire the next generation of industry experts, we called all students to join us for an exciting educational programme, raising awareness about a career in the esports and gaming industry. The festival opened its doors to 3,200 astonishing bright minds from schools across the UAE, in addition to a staggering 5,846 students who participated in this event. With career talks from industry professionals, influencer visits, a cosplay-themed dress-up day and educational workshops, this educational odyssey delivered an exciting learning journey for pupils, teachers and parents.

All students got the opportunity to participate in fun competitions like the Minecraft Education Challenge, Microsoft Makecode Competition and the Brawlhalla Esports Schools Clash with amazing prizes on the line. All schools and universities were invited to attend the event on the education days free of charge at Expo City Dubai to watch the grand finals live on stage.

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PLAY BEYOND

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A new addition to the festival lineup, Play Beyond took DEF by storm as it united gaming legends including AboFlah, Miniminter, Granthinds, Demisux, Basharkk, Saeed Wolf, Bashayer and Jukeyz, for an intense Regional vs. International esports tournament like never before. Locked in a heated battle of exhilarating challenges and games of multiple genres, these gamer-influencer teams fought for the victor’s crown and the ultimate bragging rights on the virtual battlefield.

Fans got to watch and learn from their favourite local and global influencers live in action and enjoy meeting them in person. The Play Beyond tournament was the first of its kind in the entire region.

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GOT QUESTIONS?

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Q1: What is the Dubai Esports & Games Festival?

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Media Council, the second Dubai Esports & Games Festival (DEF) 2023 is set to take place from 21 - 25 June 2023. DEF 2023 is the ultimate gaming extravaganza, featuring an exciting set of live events and activities that will bring together esports athletes, industry experts, developers, and pop-culture enthusiasts from across the globe for a celebration of all things gaming.

DEF 2023 is set to be the most phenomenal esports and gaming event in the Middle East, in line with Dubai’s position as a hub for innovation. The Festival will feature live events and activities including the Minecraft Education Challenge, Play Beyond Esports tournament, GameExpo, the GameExpo Summit powered by PG Connects, regional and influencer tournaments as well as retail promotions taking place across the city showcasing the latest games and merchandise. It will also allow fans to engage with their favorite esports celebrities and gaming icons.

Q2: How can I get to Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC)? Where can I park in DEC?

Public transportation: Taking the metro to EXPO 2020 station is the easiest way to reach DEC.
Parking facilities at DEC:
- For visitors of GameExpo Summit Powered by PG Connects: Complimentary parking at Al Dana Parking is available.
- Valet pickup & drop-off services is available at both Al Dana and Mobility parking. There’s also a valet station in front of DEC South Hall and DEC North Hall.
For more info, please find the map linked here and scan the QR Code for directions.

Q3: Where is the Dubai Esports & Games Festival (DEF) 2023 taking place?

DEF 2023 will take place in the South Halls 1A, 1B, 1C, 2A, and 2B of Dubai Exhibition Centre in Expo City Dubai.

Continuing Expo 2020 Dubai's legacy of innovation through collaboration, Expo City Dubai is a pioneering beacon for creative pursuits, new technologies and smart sustainable solutions. This makes it the perfect place to host an event of a large scale and popularity. DEF 2023's breathtaking set-up at Dubai Exhibition Centre will bring gamers and esports fans, local and global alike, to this spectacular event of an international phenomenon.