DUBAI: Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism has announced that the city will host the inaugural Dubai Esports Festival in November, the Emirates News Agency reported.
DEF 2022, which will run from Nov. 9-20, will be hosted in collaboration with VSPN, a global leader in esports total solutions. It will be the first international leisure event held at the Dubai Exhibition Center since Expo 2020.
The festival is aligned with the vision of Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum to place Dubai at the forefront of innovation and as a leading events destination.
DET and VSPN will host a series of events and activities throughout the festival as part of a strategy to further elevate Dubai’s position as a global hub for esports and interactive tech-driven entertainment.
DEF 2022 will feature a top-tier international esports tournament with world-renowned professional esports players as well as a school tournament, a concert with acclaimed artists, an immersive GameExpo, and an industry networking event for domestic, regional, and international stakeholders and partners.
“With this region being one of the world’s fastest-growing gaming markets, DEF will be a new annual festival that will build a legacy for esports and interactive entertainment companies, paving the way for high-quality innovative content that will allow esports enthusiasts from around the world to enjoy the ultimate gaming experience,” Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment CEO Ahmed Al-Khaja said.
“With the continuous support of our stakeholders and partners enabling a world-class esports ecosystem in Dubai, the launch of DEF will also build momentum across multiple mobile and digital platforms, help us tap into the vast market potential for esports and gaming and inspire the next generation of esports talent, all while highlighting the city’s position as a safe international events destination,” Al-Khaja added
VSPN CEO Dino Ying noted: “DEF will serve as the cornerstone of a new esports ecosystem, an enduring cultural phenomenon and industry benchmark.”