Abu Dhabi: The Global Games Show 2025 will take place on December 10–11, 2025 at Space42 Arena, Abu Dhabi, co-hosted with Times of Games.
Presented by VAP Group, Global Games Show returns for its landmark second edition, bringing the industry’s brightest minds from across the gaming, esports, and metaverse industries together. Following success in its first run, this year’s event boasts an even more impactful experience with a focus on future AI game design, the growth of esports, new gaming engines, and metaverse impact on online play.
With the support of the Abu Dhabi Convention & Exhibition Bureau, Global Games Show solidifies the UAE as the nation that is bold enough to dream of being the Middle East’s gaming and esports destination.
Why Abu Dhabi & Space42 Arena?
Backed by a AED 5.5 billion ($1.5 billion) gaming economy and initiatives like AD Gaming and twofour54, Abu Dhabi is quickly becoming a worldwide hub for studios, developers, and esports teams. The state-of-the-art Space42 Arena offers an immersive, future-oriented environment designed for next-gen technology showcases and global gaming communities.
Global thought leaders on stage
The 2025 edition brings an A-list lineup of speakers who have influenced and disrupted the gaming landscape worldwide:
- Dirk Lueth, Upland’s Co-Founder & Co-CEO – leading metaverse-driven economies and digital real estate innovation.
- Sébastien Borget, Co-Founder & COO, The Sandbox – a leader in NFT, gaming, and open metaverse.
- Mohammed Yaseen, Esports & Gaming Association UAE Founder – driving grassroots esports growth in the Middle East.
- Johnson Yeh, Founder & CEO, Ambrus Studio; former MD, Riot Games Greater China – expert in scaling esports and Web3 gaming.
- Yat Siu, Co-Founder, Animoca Brands – advancing digital property rights and blockchain gaming adoption globally.
Event highlights
Attendees can expect conversations and showcases covering:
- Beyond the Game: How Esports Will Define Abu Dhabi’s Tech & Game Economy
- The Future of Gaming Engines: Unreal Engine 6 and Beyond
- AI-Generated Game Design: Is Machine Creativity Taking Over?
- The Metaverse Effect: Changing Multiplayer Gaming Experience
With high-level panel discussions, networking, and live presentations, the Global Games Show 2025 is set to be a milestone platform for creators, developers, investors, and communities shaping the next wave in gaming. Early-bird pricing is offered for a limited period, and tickets are now available.
About the Global Games Show
The Global Games Show is more than an expo, it’s where creativity, technology, and culture collide. It unites developers, studios, investors, and gamers from around the world to shape the future of interactive entertainment. Its mission: to push the boundaries of gaming innovation, celebrate community, and build an inclusive ecosystem where play, progress, and possibility go hand in hand.
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