Free-to-attend summit on 4 June will connect young people with gaming companies, universities, recruiters and esports experts in Dubai
Dubai Esports & Games Festival is expanding its focus on youth talent and future careers with the launch of its first-ever Education & Gaming Summit, set to take place on 4 June at the Dubai World Trade Centre’s GameExpo Hall.
Organised by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment, part of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, the free summit is open to students aged 16 and above, as well as graduates across the UAE who are interested in exploring opportunities in the fast-growing gaming and esports industry.
The one-day event aims to give young people direct access to gaming professionals, recruiters, universities and business leaders, while helping them better understand how the gaming ecosystem is evolving both regionally and globally.
A major feature of the summit will be “Meet and Match”, a networking platform designed to connect students with industry professionals, educators and companies operating across the gaming sector. Universities in Dubai that offer gaming and esports-related programmes will also participate, allowing students to explore study options and career pathways firsthand.
Attendees can also take part in practical career-focused sessions including CV clinics, internship guidance and workshops covering key industry skills. Sessions during the day will explore topics such as the use of AI in game development, the growth of esports careers and live game-building experiences.
According to organisers, the summit supports Dubai’s wider ambition to position itself as a global hub for gaming innovation and digital talent under the Dubai Economic Agenda D33.
Muna Al Falasi, Director of Esports and Games Strategy at DFRE, said the launch of the summit marks “a strategic step forward” for the festival as the gaming industry continues to expand rapidly in Dubai and worldwide.
The summit will also feature panel discussions with speakers from major industry players including DMCC, Bandai Namco, Tencent’s Level Infinite, TikTok LIVE and Pixel Perfect MENA.
Discussion topics will include breaking into Dubai’s gaming industry, game publishing, esports education and how universities are building campus esports programmes.
The Education & Gaming Summit forms part of the wider Dubai Esports & Games Festival, running from 22 May to 7 June 2026. GameExpo, one of the festival’s headline attractions, will run from 5 to 7 June with early-bird tickets starting from AED 10.
Students and graduates can register for the summit through DEF Education Summit. More information about the festival is available at www.dubaiesportsfestival.com.
