Dubai to host Global Esports Games in 2025

The Global Esports Games will head to Dubai in 2025. The Emirati metropolis was revealed as host of the Global Esports Federation’s (GEF) flagship event during the opening leg of the 2022 Global Esports Tour.

Dubai’s EMG 2022 Esports Festival provided a sneak peak of the city’s hosting potential ahead of the Global Esports Games 2025, while also providing a platform for meetings between officials from the GEF and Emirates Esports.

Paul Foster, CEO of the GEF, headed his organization’s delegation to the Emirati city. He noted the country’s significance to the development of esports.

“We are excited to see the incredible progress since our signing of a Strategic Framework Agreement with Emirates Esports at Expo 2020 Dubai last November, to unlock opportunities and develop esports in the region,” stated Foster. “The world will once again unite in Dubai with the city confirmed to host the Global Esports Games in 2025.”

Chris Chan, President of the GEF, added, “the eyes of the world, the energy, and passion of our #worldconnected community will light up Dubai, the UAE, and the region.”

The announcement of Dubai as host of the Global Esports Games 2025 follows the debut of esports at the Gulf Cooperation Council Games in Kuwait last month.

The inclusion of esports at the multi-spot event meant to celebrate and strengthen ties between members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) marked the increasing importance of the sport within the Olympic Movement.

With GCC members like Qatar and Saudi Arabia set to play a more active role in international sports over the next decade, the focus on esports in the region will likely be seen as a boon for the continued international growth of the sport.

However, even with increased international interest, a question over the sport’s governance remains. Currently, there are two bodies that govern esports internationally, the GEF and the International Esports Federation (IESF).

Recognition from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is likely the prize that both organizations seek. While the IOC has shown a keen interest in esports through discussions with industry leaders and the establishment of the Olympic Virtual Series, the prominent global sports body has yet to recognize a governing body, choosing to remain neutral in the governance debate.

The dueling bodies are set to go head-to-head later this year when their flagship events take place in December. The IESF’s World Esports Championships will be held in Bali, Indonesia on December 1-12, while the GEF’s Global Esports Games will be held in Istanbul, Turkey on December 14-18.

There’s yet to be a definitive winner in the battle to govern esports internationally, yet the selection of major cities such as Dubai and Istanbul as hosts of primer competitions, along with the inclusion of esports at multi-sport events such as the GCC Games, Southeast Asian Games, and Asian Games, shows the undeniable growing international popularity of esports.