Dubai’s ambitious vision for the future of gaming was showcased on the global stage at Gamescom 2025, the world’s largest gaming event, held in Cologne, Germany.
The Dubai Pavilion attracted thousands of visitors, international delegations, and top global companies keen to explore the opportunities Dubai and the UAE are creating in the rapidly expanding gaming sector.
Marking the first official government-led participation from the Middle East at Gamescom, the pavilion brought together three major entities: Dubai Future Foundation, Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), and Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC). Collectively, they highlighted Dubai’s strategic commitment to becoming a global hub for gaming, creativity, and digital industries.
At the pavilion, visitors learned about the Dubai Program for Gaming 2033 (DPG33), an ambitious initiative aimed at positioning the emirate among the world’s top 10 gaming hubs by 2033.
Launched by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Dubai Future Foundation, the program is set to generate 30,000 new jobs in the gaming sector and add nearly USD 1 billion to Dubai’s digital economy and GDP.
Commenting on the participation, Abdulaziz AlJaziri, Deputy CEO of Dubai Future Foundation, said, “Gamescom provided a unique platform to showcase Dubai’s vision and leadership in gaming, while highlighting the city’s attractiveness as a global destination for investment, talent, and partnerships. Dubai’s innovation-driven ecosystem offers unmatched support for creative, digital, educational, and entertainment industries, positioning the emirate as one of the world’s most competitive hubs for gaming companies and entrepreneurs.”
Faisal Kazim, Director of the Dubai Program for Gaming 2033, stated, “The global interest in the Dubai Pavilion reflects the strong momentum behind our efforts to establish Dubai as an international hub for game development and creative innovation. Since the launch of DPG33, Dubai has already succeeded in attracting hundreds of specialised gaming companies and businesses in related fields, underlining the city’s ability to create opportunities at scale.”
Gamescom 2025 itself achieved record participation, with representatives from 72 countries (up from 64 in 2024), more than 1,500 exhibitors, and an expanded exhibition space covering 233,000 square metres. The event reaffirmed its position as the leading global platform shaping the future of gaming, bringing together developers, publishers, investors, and enthusiasts from around the world.
(Inputs from WAM)
