Saudi Arabia is no longer just witnessing the global gaming industry grow, but is instead building the very stage everyone else will perform on. On June 29-30, 2026, Riyadh will become the epicenter of the world’s gaming business when the Global Games Show 2026 officially commences.
No matter if you are a developer, publisher, investor, esports operator, or exist just about anywhere in the gaming ecosystem, this is the one event you cannot afford to miss this year.
Here’s your guide to the Global Games Show 2026, from dates, speakers, ticket prices, exhibitors, agenda, and what exactly to expect, all in one place.
Disclosure: FandomWire is an official media partner for the Global Games Show Riyadh 2026.
What Is the Global Games Show Riyadh 2026?
The event is taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | Credit: Global Games ShowThe Global Games Show is a premier B2B gaming summit organized by VAP Group and powered by Times of Games. It’s designed specifically for the business side of gaming, connecting developers with publishers, and studios with investors and technology providers.
The Riyadh edition isn’t a consumer-focused expo – think less booth selfies and more boardroom deals. The event is also notably co-located with two other flagship VAP Group shows: the Global AI Show and the Global Blockchain Show, making it a three-in-one destination for decision-makers operating in the Gaming, AI, and Web3 fields.
Dates, Location & Format
- Dates: June 29-30, 2026
- Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
- Duration: 2 Days (8 AM – 6 PM)
- Format: Conference/ Exhibition/ Networking
Who is this event for?
By sector, the audience spans game development studios (22%), startups and indie developers (18%), esports teams and organizations (15%), metaverse and Web3 gaming companies (12%), game publishers and distributors (10%), tech and hardware innovators (8%), and AI/data science specialists (6%).
The show projects 10,000+ attendees, 100+ speakers, 100+ exhibitors and sponsors, and 200+ media partners for the 2026 edition.
GGS 2026 Day-by-Day Breakdown
The event is scheduled to go on for two days | Credit: Global Games ShowThe two-day agenda for the Global Games Show 2026 has been divided into distinct themes that reflect where the global gaming industry is actually heading.
Day 1: The Next Frontier of Gaming Tech
From having a look at Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 mission to grabbing insights into the Web3 Gaming Industry, Day One of GGS 2026 in Riyadh covers a lot, including the following key events to kick off the day:
- 11:05 – Opening Keynote: The Kingdom Transforming Global Esports
- 11:20 – Panel: The Future of Digital Play: Where Gaming Meets Innovation
- 12:00 – Panel: The Global Impact of Mobile Esports Tournaments
- 12:40 – Spotlight: From Console to Cloud: The Future of Game Streaming
- 13:00 – Panel: Global Gaming Expansion: Lessons from Untapped Markets
Day 2: Gameconomics
Day 2 starts off with a focus on how Augmented Reality is slowly making its place in the gaming industry, followed by an insight into how content and community work together, and how they will keep evolving in the future. The following are the key events to start the day with:
- 11:05 – Opening Keynote: Gaming Beyond Screens: The Next Era of Immersive Play
- 11:20 – Panel: The Future of Global Tournaments: From Grassroots to International Leagues
- 12:00 – Panel: Who Will Own the Future of Immersive Gaming
- 12:40 – Spotlight: AR, VR & XR: Redefining How We Play
- 13:00 – Panel: Community-Driven Gaming: Engaging Players in the Digital Era
Note: The full session-level agenda requires email registration on the official site at globalgamesshow.com/riyadh/agenda.
Confirmed Speakers at Global Games Show Riyadh 2026
GGS 2026 has one of the most exciting speaker line-ups scheduled for the event | Credit: Global Games ShowThe speaker lineup already includes some of the most recognized names across gaming, esports, Web3, and interactive entertainment:
| Speaker | Designation |
| Majed Aleid | CIRO, Director, Ministry of Investment (MISA) |
| Elie Honain | Chief Executive Officer, NES |
| Paul Pacifico | CEO, Saudi Music Commission – Ministry of Culture |
| Charity Joy | CEO, Mirai |
| Faisal Al Bitar | Managing Director, Tamatem Plus |
| Johnson Yeh | Founder & CEO, Ambrus Studio |
| Tung Nguyen-Khac | Co-Founder, VIZTA Digital |
| Xzit Thamer | Gaming Content Creator, PlayStation Playmaker |
| Saad Hameed | CEO & Co-Founder, Game District |
| Malak AlQhtani | CEO & Founder, Valar Club |
| Fahad Mohammed Al-Obailan | Group CEO, BAAN Holding |
| Stefan Mitrov | Founder and CEO, M3DS Academy |
| Dr. Faisal Khan | Director of IT, AlNassr Club Company |
| Dr. Ahad | CCO, Al Othaim Entertainment |
| Rema Alyahya | Vice President, Merak Capital |
| Eng. Abdulaziz Alnaghmoosh | Director – Content Licensing & Business Development, Manga Productions |
| Hassan Yusuf | Director, Real Madrid Foundation |
| Rasha Alkhamis | Chairwoman, International Mixed Martial Arts Federation |
| Nayef Bin Mohammed Bin Humaid | Chairman of the Board, Saudi Baseball and Softball Federation |
| Vikas Goel | Founder & CEO, EsportsXO |
| Ammar Alrefaei | Dean, Director of Sports Management Programs, King Abdulaziz University |
| Nadeem Bakhsh | Chief Executive Officer, webook.com |
| Abeer Alhumaimeedy | Associate Professor at King Saud University, Director of Web3 and Blockchain Lab, King Saud University / Advanced Era |
| Billal Yamak | Chairman and Co-Founder, Web3 Alliance of Saudi Arabia (WASA) |
| Vit Jedlicka | President, Liberland |
| Shabir Momin | Chairman and Co-Founder, Web3 Alliance of Saudi Arabia (WASA) |
| Ogle | Co-Founder, Glue |
| Meow | Co-Founder, Jupiter |
| Ksenia Zaykova | Founder, NODE Communications Chief Communications Officer, AngelsDeck Global Ventures |
| Sandy Carter | CBO, Unstoppable Domains |
| Kanessa Muluneh | CEO, Rise of Fearless |
| Josh Woongki Ahn | COO, T1 Entertainment & Sports, Inc. |
| Joseph van Heeswijk | CEO, 2Game Esports |
| Robin Wingardh | Co-Founder & CEO, Wingbits |
| Alona Shevtsova | Chief Executive Officer, Sends |
| Ayman Alhabib | CRO, D360 Bank |
Global Games Show Riyadh 2026: Ticket Prices
There are three ticket tiers available to purchase right now | Credit: Global Games ShowThere are three ticket tiers available for GGS 2026, with a Flash Sale running until May 31, 2026:
Visitor Pass
- Flash Sale Price: Free
- Standard Price: $199
- 2-Day Exhibition Access
- 2-Day Conference Access
- Access to Official Event App
Delegate Pass
- Flash Sale Price: $259
- Standard Price: $599
- 2 Days Exhibition & Conference Access
- Access to Official Event App
- Complimentary Lunch & Refreshments
- Business Networking Zone
- Access to Global AI Show
- Access To Global Blockchain Show
VIP Pass
- Flash Sale Price: $1,459
- Standard Price: $1,999
- Everything in Delegate Pass Plus
- VIP Lunch & Refreshments
- VIP / Speaker Lounge Access
- VIP Registration Desk
- VIP Seats in Conference
- VIP Valet Parking
- Access to Global AI Show
- Access To Global Blockchain Show
Tickets can be purchased directly at globalgamesshow.com/riyadh/tickets. Given the flash sale deadline and the strong list of speaker lineup, it’s better to book as early as possible if you plan on going.
Why Riyadh? The Saudi Vision 2030
GGS 2026 rides right along Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 | Credit: Global Games ShowRiyadh isn’t a location chosen for novelty. Saudi Arabia has made gaming and esports a core pillar of Vision 2030, the Kingdom’s sweeping economic diversification plan, and the numbers back it up.
The country is home to Savvy Games Group, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund (PIF) that has made multi-billion dollar investments across the global gaming industry. Saudi Arabia has also hosted prestigious esports events, including the Esports World Cup, establishing Riyadh as a recurring destination for competitive gaming at the highest level.
The GGS Riyadh 2026 joins in on this momentum, with the panel dedicated to the national esports strategy and government-led gaming initiatives, and how international companies can access Saudi Arabia’s rapidly expanding gaming market.
What to Expect on the GGS 2026 Show Floor
There will be many events going on in GGS 2026 simultaneously | Credit: Global Games ShowBeyond the conference agenda, the show offers several distinct on-site experiences:
- Keynote Stage: Visionary talks from studio heads and tech innovators shaping the next era of gaming.
- Panel Discussions: High-impact discussions on anything and everything from game development, monetization, Web3, AI in games, and esports regulation.
- Investor Lounge: A private zone connecting game founders, studios, and publishers with VCs and government investment bodies for funding discussions and partnership talks.
- Exhibition Floor: This is where you get to see live demos, product showcases, and booth experiences spanning games, platforms, gaming engines, esports solutions, and immersive technology.
- Esports Arena: Live competitive gaming with tournament-style formats and an audience experience modeled on arena esports events.
- Startup Showcase: A dedicated spotlight for gaming ventures to pitch directly to investors, publishers, and enterprise partners.
How to Get Involved
You can join the upcoming event in many ways. | Credit: Global Games ShowThere are multiple ways to participate in GGS Riyadh 2026:
- For general inquiries: [email protected]
- For tickets: [email protected]
- For sponsorship: [email protected]
Global Games Show Riyadh 2026 is two days, 10,000+ attendees, and one city that’s rewriting the rules of global gaming. Tickets are still available, but the Flash Sale won’t be around for long. Lock in your spot before June 29 and show up where the deals actually get made.
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