GCC, UAE gamers battle for Dh600,000 as Dubai Esports Festival enters final weekend

Dubai: The Dubai Esports and Games Festival (DEF) 2025 has entered its final weekend with gamers competing for prize money exceeding Dh600,000 at the GameExpo at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).

Running through Sunday, the festival’s closing events are drawing gamers, families, and fans from across the region, promising high-stakes tournaments, immersive experiences, and creative showcases.

The action is centred in Zabeel Halls 2 and 3 at DWTC, with GameExpo hosting a packed schedule of competitive finals and community activities.

Among the weekend’s biggest draws is the FC25 Dubai Cup, where finalists from across the GCC are battling for a share of $10,000 in live PS5 showdowns today, Saturday.

The True Gamers Tournament is taking over the DEF Main Stage with the Fortnite 1v1 Finals, offering a prize pool of Dh10,000. The tournament showcases top talent that has advanced through qualifiers held across Dubai.

Families are taking the spotlight during the Bloom World Academy Minecraft Family Challenge. The event invited parent-child duos to team up in a test of collaboration and creative problem-solving, with prizes up for grabs.

A highlight for cosplay fans arrives on Sunday with the Dubai Cosplay Championship 2025, featuring performances, themed catwalks, and a competitive finale with Dh30,000 in prizes for the best transformations and stagecraft.

Throughout the weekend, Play Beyond will showcase top-tier influencer matchups, where regional and international gaming stars like AboFlah, Sultan Khalifa, Nasr Esports Academy, 6th_kage, Khaled Dego, Sonson.Platinum, and AWYA go head-to-head in high-stakes battles. Fans with a Pro Gamer Pass will also enjoy exclusive meet-and-greets.

Beyond the competitions, attendees can explore eight interactive zones, each offering a mix of free-to-play games, immersive showcases, and branded activities. Popular attractions include the Modesh Retro Zone, The Amazon Quest, and Emirates NBD Family Zone, along with giveaways and live appearances by Modesh himself.

DEF has also sparked a series of gaming-inspired citywide promotions. From retail offers across more than 2,500 outlets to hotel discounts at Rove Hotels, the entire city is tapping into the festival atmosphere, said Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), the organisers of DEF.

Gamers without tickets need not miss out — GameExpo is being livestreamed through TikTok LIVE via, bringing real-time tournament coverage and backstage action to fans across the region, the organisers added.