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 Show
The 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 Show
The 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 Show
The speaker lineup already includes some of the most recognized names across gaming, esports, Web3, and interactive entertainment:
SpeakerDesignationMajed AleidCIRO, Director, Ministry of Investment (MISA)Elie HonainChief Executive Officer, NESPaul PacificoCEO, Saudi Music Commission – Ministry of CultureCharity JoyCEO, MiraiFaisal Al BitarManaging Director, Tamatem PlusJohnson YehFounder & CEO, Ambrus StudioTung Nguyen-KhacCo-Founder, VIZTA DigitalXzit ThamerGaming Content Creator, PlayStation PlaymakerSaad HameedCEO & Co-Founder, Game DistrictMalak AlQhtaniCEO & Founder, Valar ClubFahad Mohammed Al-ObailanGroup CEO, BAAN HoldingStefan MitrovFounder and CEO, M3DS AcademyDr. Faisal KhanDirector of IT, AlNassr Club CompanyDr. AhadCCO, Al Othaim EntertainmentRema AlyahyaVice President, Merak CapitalEng. Abdulaziz AlnaghmooshDirector – Content Licensing & Business Development, Manga ProductionsHassan YusufDirector, Real Madrid FoundationRasha AlkhamisChairwoman, International Mixed Martial Arts FederationNayef Bin Mohammed Bin HumaidChairman of the Board, Saudi Baseball and Softball FederationVikas GoelFounder & CEO, EsportsXOAmmar AlrefaeiDean, Director of Sports Management Programs, King Abdulaziz UniversityNadeem BakhshChief Executive Officer, webook.comAbeer AlhumaimeedyAssociate Professor at King Saud University, Director of Web3 and Blockchain Lab, King Saud University / Advanced EraBillal YamakChairman and Co-Founder, Web3 Alliance of Saudi Arabia (WASA)Vit JedlickaPresident, LiberlandShabir MominChairman and Co-Founder, Web3 Alliance of Saudi Arabia (WASA)OgleCo-Founder, GlueMeowCo-Founder, JupiterKsenia ZaykovaFounder, NODE CommunicationsChief Communications Officer, AngelsDeck Global VenturesSandy CarterCBO, Unstoppable DomainsKanessa MulunehCEO, Rise of FearlessJosh Woongki AhnCOO, T1 Entertainment & Sports, Inc.Joseph van HeeswijkCEO, 2Game EsportsRobin WingardhCo-Founder & CEO, WingbitsAlona ShevtsovaChief Executive Officer, SendsAyman AlhabibCRO, D360 Bank
Global Games Show Riyadh 2026: Ticket Prices
There are three ticket tiers available to purchase right now | Credit: Global Games Show
There 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 Show
Riyadh 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 Show
Beyond 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 Show
There are multiple ways to participate in GGS Riyadh 2026:
AttendPurchase your Visitor, Delegate, or VIP Pass at:globalgamesshow.com/riyadh/ticketsExhibitApply for a booth or sponsorship package at:globalgamesshow.com/riyadh/exhibitSpeakSubmit a speaker application at:globalgamesshow.com/riyadh/speakersMediaApply for press credentials at:globalgamesshow.com/riyadh/media
For general inquiries: contact@globalgamesshow.com
For tickets: tickets@globalgamesshow.com
For sponsorship: sponsorship@globalgamesshow.com
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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