Global Games Show Comes to Riyadh in June 2026

• Companies mentioned: VAP Group, Times of Games, ROEHL/Ambrus Studio, Animoca Brands, Uplandme Inc., Holodeck Ventures, Farcana, YaLLa Esports, PLAYA3ULL Games, Medieval Empires
• Markets/regions: Saudi Arabia (Riyadh), Middle East
• Summary: The Global Games Show returns for a Riyadh edition on 29–30 June 2026, organised by VAP Group and powered by Times of Games, covering gaming tech, esports, AR/VR, Web3, and investor-developer matchmaking.

Powering the Future of Play: Riyadh Welcomes the Global Games Show

Riyadh is ready to host gamers and developers from all over the world with the Global Games Show, making its mark in the Middle East. The event, which is set for 29-30th June 2026, provides an engaging platform dedicated to gaming tech, interactive experiences, and networking opportunities for gaming professionals.

Organized by VAP Group and powered by Times of Games, the event will feature live demos of the latest games, immersive experiences in AR and VR, and panels discussing trends in game development, publishing, and esports. Participants will get a sneak peek into upcoming technologies, monetization plans, and player engagement techniques.

The Global Games Show also focuses on collaboration, offering networking zones and matchmaking sessions to connect developers, investors, and publishers. Startups will have a platform to present innovative gaming solutions, and established companies will showcase how technology is enhancing storytelling, graphics, and gameplay.

GGS has previously hosted some of the most influential names shaping the future of gaming, esports, and Web3. Esteemed speakers have included Johnson Yeh, Founder and CEO of ROEHL/Ambrus Studio; Yat Siu, Co-Founder and Chairman of Animoca Brands; Dirk Lueth, Ph.D., Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Uplandme, Inc.; and Paul Dawalibi, CEO of Holodeck Ventures. Industry innovators such as Ilman Shazhaev, Founder of Farcana, and Klaus Kajetski, Founder and CEO of YaLLa Esports, have also shared their insights, alongside Jonathan Bouzanquet, Chief Strategy Officer and Founder of PLAYA3ULL Games, and Assad Dar, Co-Founder and Chief Visionary Officer of Medieval Empires. Together, these leaders have livened up the stage with perspectives on the intersection of gaming, blockchain, esports, and immersive digital economies.

The event creates an environment where ideas flourish, partnerships form, and knowledge is shared across sectors.

The Global Games Show Riyadh unfolds over two exciting days of innovation, creativity, and collaboration at the heart of the gaming industry. Day One explores The Next Frontier of Gaming Tech, spotlighting Saudi Arabia’s rise as an esports powerhouse, breakthroughs in gaming engines, and futuristic concepts like brain-computer interfaces and AI-driven game design. Day Two shifts focus to Gameconomics, diving into the evolving business of gaming—from crowdfunding and mobile opportunities to community empowerment and investor-developer partnerships. Across both days, attendees can expect visionary talks, engaging discussions, and vibrant networking moments that bring together global creators, developers, and gaming enthusiasts shaping the future of interactive entertainment.

The Global Games Show 2026 Riyadh edition is a step towards establishing the city as a hub for digital entertainment and interactive technology. One of the biggest perks of this event is that a single ticket also gives you access to other high-end events, including the Global AI Show and the Global Blockchain Show. Grab this unique opportunity to explore, learn, and connect.

Media Inquiries:
PR Contact: media@globalgamesshow.com

Editorial Commentary

Saudi Arabia’s push into gaming is well-documented — the kingdom has committed billions through Savvy Games Group and PIF-backed investments, and Riyadh has hosted major esports events as part of Vision 2030’s digital economy agenda. The Global Games Show arriving here in June 2026 fits neatly into that trajectory, positioning the city alongside established gaming event hubs.

For operators and suppliers watching Gulf region developments, the broader signal is worth noting: the Middle East is building gaming infrastructure at pace, and events like GGS accelerate the network effects — bringing together the developer, investor, and publisher relationships that typically precede larger commercial moves. The combined-ticket access to the Global AI Show and Global Blockchain Show also reflects how convergent these sectors have become for anyone thinking about the next wave of interactive entertainment.