Abu Dhabi Gaming

Name

Abu Dhabi Gaming

Legal name

Abu Dhabi Gaming

Website

https://adgaming.ae

Company type

Private

Founded year

2025

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Gaming Ecosystem Development

NAICS

Amusement Parks and Arcades (7131)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Gaming & Virtual World Communities (BPAMABAE)

Keywords

• Gaming ecosystem development
• Esports event management
• Game design education
• Creative industry support
• Talent development programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Abu Dhabi

HQ country

United Arab Emirates

HQ region

Middle East

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Event Management and Ticket Sales: Abu Dhabi Gaming organizes and co-hosts gaming/esports events including the Global Games Show and Games of the Future 2025, generating revenue through event management, ticket sales (e.g., Games of the Future adult day passes at AED 50), sponsorships, and exhibition fees.
2. Ecosystem Support Services: Abu Dhabi Gaming provides support services to gaming companies including accelerator programs, mentorship, policy guidance, and business attraction services, likely funded through government allocations and partnership contributions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Abu Dhabi Gaming is a government-led initiative under the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) that operates a gaming ecosystem platform around three pillars: Talent Development (education programs and a game design degree), Business Attraction/Ecosystem (support services, funding, mentorship for gaming studios), and Community & Esports (event hosting and partner networking). The initiative generates revenue through event management, ticketing, sponsorships, and ecosystem services backed by government funding.

Product overview

Abu Dhabi Gaming is a government-led initiative (part of DCT Abu Dhabi) that serves as the central platform for developing Abu Dhabi's gaming ecosystem. The organization operates three core pillars: (1) Talent Development Hub offering game design courses and educational programs including a dual-certified degree; (2) Business Ecosystem providing support services, funding, mentorship, and infrastructure for studios; and (3) Community & Esports initiatives connecting with global partners. Abu Dhabi Gaming hosts major events including the Games of the Future and partners on events like the Gran Turismo World Series. This is the biggest initiative of its kind in the Middle East with a network of over 100 partners.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Talent Development Hub A dedicated facility at Yas Creative Hub offering structured game design and development courses (Level Design Mastery, 3D Modeling, UI/UX for Games, Building in Unity, Pixel Art, Game Audio) to students and aspiring game developers in the UAE.
• Business Ecosystem Support Program A support program offering funding access, mentorship, accelerator participation, and policy guidance to game studios, publishers, and creative entrepreneurs establishing or expanding operations in Abu Dhabi.
• Dual-Certified Bachelor of Arts in Video Game Design A region's first dual-certified undergraduate degree program in Video Game Design delivered through Abu Dhabi University with academic leadership from French institution Rubika, including structured internships, mentorship programmes, and scholarship funding.
• Games of the Future 2025 Tournament A phygital sports tournament combining physical athleticism with digital gaming across 11 disciplines, held at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi and co-organized with ASPIRE, Ethara, and Phygital International.
• Dizzaract Recruitment Services Recruitment and headhunting services dedicated to the gaming industry, delivered through Abu Dhabi Gaming's wholly owned subsidiary Dizzaract.

Quantifiable outcome

• Support for 140 scholarships over six years for game design students
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• ASPIRE (ATRC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 June 2026Abu Dhabi Gaming partnered with ASPIRE to power AI-driven game development and strengthen Abu Dhabi's position at the intersection of technology, creativity and interactive entertainment. The agreement was signed during the A2RL Summit at ADNEC Centre. The partnership aligns Abu Dhabi's gaming ecosystem with advanced research capabilities, focusing on pioneering gamification projects and AI in game development.
• Polyphony Digital Inc.flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 December 2025Abu Dhabi Gaming and Polyphony Digital (Sony Interactive Entertainment subsidiary) announced Abu Dhabi will host the Gran Turismo World Series 2026 opening event on March 28, 2026 at Space42 Arena. This marks the first time the elite sim racing championship comes to the Middle East. The partnership positions Abu Dhabi as a global hub for gaming and esports while featuring the Yas Marina Circuit in Gran Turismo 7.
• Global Games ShowflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 4 December 2025Abu Dhabi Gaming was announced as official co-host for The Global Games Show 2025, taking place at Space42 Arena on December 10-11, 2025. The event showcases Abu Dhabi's gaming ecosystem and facilitates conversations among developers, investors, and media to drive industry innovation.
• Abu Dhabi University (ADU)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 May 2025DCT Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi University, and Rubika signed an MoU to establish the region's first dual-certified Bachelor of Arts degree in Video Game Design. Abu Dhabi University hosts the program on campus, ensuring alignment with national accreditation standards while delivering a comprehensive academic experience.
• RubikacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 May 2025Rubika, a globally recognized French institution specializing in video game design, animation, and digital arts, provides academic leadership, curriculum oversight, and faculty training for the game design degree program. Rubika also enables international exchange opportunities with its global campuses.
• Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi)flagshipOthersAbu Dhabi Gaming is an initiative of DCT Abu Dhabi, which drives the sustainable growth of Abu Dhabi's culture and tourism sectors, including the gaming and esports industries. DCT Abu Dhabi provides strategic backing, funding for 140 scholarships over six years, and policy support.
• ASPIREcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerASPIRE organized the Games of the Future 2025, a global phygital sports tournament featuring 11 disciplines including Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, Fortnite, and Just Dance, held December 18-23, 2025 at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi, in collaboration with Ethara and Phygital International.
• EtharacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEthara co-organized the Games of the Future 2025 phygital tournament at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi, representing part of a multi-city series with the 2026 edition planned for Astana, Kazakhstan.
• Phygital InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhygital International co-organized the Games of the Future 2025, bringing global phygital sports expertise and representing part of a multi-city tournament series.
• GamescomminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAbu Dhabi Gaming plans to attend Gamescom 2026 (August 26-30 in Cologne, Germany), the world's largest trade fair for video games, to strengthen relationships across the global games industry and introduce the ecosystem to prospective partners.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/abudhabi_gaming
• YouTubeyoutube.com/abudhabigaming
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/abu-dhabi-gaming
• Instagraminstagram.com/abudhabi_gaming
• Facebookfacebook.com/adgaming.ae

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Abu Dhabi Gaming