Dubai is heading to Gamescom 2026 in Cologne, Germany with its largest pavilion to date, as the emirate pushes forward with a plan to rank among the world's top 10 gaming hubs by 2033.
The Dubai Films and Games Commission will lead the emirate's presence at the event, running from 26 to 30 August at Koelnmesse. Gamescom is expected to draw more than 350,000 visitors and over 1,500 exhibitors from more than 125 countries, with the first day set aside for trade and media engagements.
A bigger footprint in Cologne
Dubai's pavilion this year features more than 10 showcases, a live stage hosting panel discussions and fireside chats, and dedicated networking spaces for industry connections. The delegation representing Dubai includes officials from the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, Dubai Future Foundation, Dubai Chambers, Dubai International Financial Centre, Dubai Police, and Dubai Multi Commodities Centre, alongside private sector partners.
The Good Games Club podcast is also relocating to Dubai, adding to the emirate's growing footprint in gaming media and community engagement.
The numbers behind the ambition
Dubai's push into gaming is backed by the Dubai Program for Gaming 2033, which sets a target of placing the emirate among the global top 10 in the sector by the end of the decade. The plan projects around 30,000 jobs and close to USD 1 billion in annual revenue from gaming by 2033.
The growth trajectory so far lends weight to the ambition. Between 2024 and 2026, the number of gaming companies operating in Dubai rose from more than 368 to 495, a 34.5% increase.
Officials frame gaming as a long game
Hesham Al Olama, CEO of the Media Development Sector at Dubai Media Council, said: "Dubai has a way of entering an industry and, a decade on, becoming impossible to leave out of the conversation. We have done it in aviation, in the economy, in tourism. Gaming is next. Our presence at Gamescom is not merely about participating in this global showcase; we are looking to accelerate industry engagement based on the comprehensive ecosystem we have built and are confident that it will lead our partners and stakeholders to choose Dubai as their base for years to come. We will continue strengthening partnerships that contribute to building an integrated and sustainable ecosystem for the sector, with Dubai emerging as a global hub for the gaming industry in quick time."
Faisal Kazim, Games Commissioner at the Dubai Films and Games Commission, added: "There is a tendency among some people to view gaming purely from an entertainment perspective, but we count it among the most powerful creative enterprises in society. Imaginatively designed games can support education, boost social interaction and engagement, and generate jobs and economic growth avenues. Based on this vision, Dubai's participation in Gamescom reaffirms our commitment to supporting the gaming sector as a tool for positive transformation while offering an integrated environment enabling developers, creators and companies to grow and innovate."