The return of The Global Games Show in 2025 signals a decisive moment for the gaming world, and Abu Dhabi is positioning itself at the center of that momentum. As gaming continues to expand beyond entertainment and into culture, technology, and global business, the upcoming edition of the event represents more than a gathering of industry players. It represents a clear statement of intent from a region that has invested heavily in becoming a home for digital innovation and next-generation entertainment.
Hosted by VAP Group in association with the Abu Dhabi Convention and Exhibition Bureau, the event takes place on 10 and 11 December at Space42 Arena. Following the success of its past two editions, it promises a scale and ambition that mirrors the rapid evolution of the gaming sector itself. Organizers expect more than five thousand attendees, along with hundreds of speakers, sponsors, exhibitors, and media representatives, and this concentration of talent reflects a global industry that thrives on collaboration, competition, and constant reinvention.
Abu Dhabi’s growing role in the gaming ecosystem is the product of sustained investment along with an understanding that gaming now stands at the intersection of technology, creativity, commerce, and community. The Global Games Show has become one of the clearest expressions of that strategy, offering a platform that welcomes established companies and emerging creators while giving them the space to explore the future of interactive entertainment. The support of the Abu Dhabi Convention and Exhibition Bureau strengthens that mission, signaling that the emirate sees gaming as a long-term pillar of its innovation agenda.
The 2025 edition arrives with the promise of deeper engagement among global creators, investors, developers, and gaming enthusiasts. Attendees are encouraged to explore the advancements that continue to shape the modern gaming experience, from new forms of immersive entertainment to the integration of artificial intelligence and Web3 technologies. The event is designed to serve as a hub for the business side of gaming as well, giving entrepreneurs and investors the environment they need to forge new partnerships and scale emerging ideas. The presence of more than two hundred speakers ensures that the conversations will be both forward-looking and grounded in real industry challenges, encouraging participants to think critically about the next evolution of gaming and esports.
This year also introduces an expanded celebration known as the Global Games Show Week, which will run from 3 to 12 December. It extends the energy of the main event into a ten-day experience that highlights indie studios, esports ecosystems, creator economies, and the fast-growing world of Web3 gaming. The week will include showcases, tournaments, meetups, and panel discussions, creating a citywide moment that reflects the cultural weight gaming now carries. By co-locating the main show with the Global Blockchain Show, the organizers emphasize the growing convergence between gaming and decentralized technologies and invite attendees to explore the possibilities that emerge when these fields meet.
VAP Group, the organization behind the event, has spent more than a decade building global influence across AI, blockchain, and gaming. With a team of more than one hundred seventy professionals and a footprint that includes the UAE, the UK, India, and Hong Kong, the group has dedicated itself to pushing innovation and connecting communities across transformative technologies.
The Global Games Show 2025 aims to do more than showcase new developments. It seeks to set the direction for a rapidly expanding industry and invite the world to participate in defining what comes next.
