The Connect event organized by Abu Dhabi Gaming is expected to draw participants from across the gaming value chain for a day of structured networking, panel discussions and business matchmaking sessions. According to the Emirates News Agency, the gathering aims to strengthen ties within the industry while highlighting opportunities in the Middle East market. Abu Dhabi Gaming, an initiative of the Department of Culture and Tourism, has positioned the emirate as a destination for creative technology businesses through a series of similar programs.
Arab News reported that Abu Dhabi is now home to more than 80 video game companies, the largest such community in the region. The publication noted that firms including MY.Games, Sperasoft and Ninjas In Pyjamas have established operations there, drawn by government support and infrastructure. Abu Dhabi Gaming has facilitated this expansion by matching students with employers during dedicated internship events that allow multiple interviews in a single session.
The September 24 program builds on earlier gatherings hosted by the same body, including the Global Games Show held at Space42 Arena in December 2025. A PR Newswire release from Abu Dhabi Gaming at the time described that event as a platform for keynotes on esports economics and AI applications in live operations. Similar B2B formats have repeatedly brought together C-level executives, with previous editions recording thousands of verified delegates focused on development, publishing and investment.
Public records from industry trackers show Abu Dhabi has also secured hosting rights for major competitions such as the Games of the Future and the Gran Turismo World Series opener scheduled for March 2026. These activities form part of a coordinated push that has included regulatory coordination between financial and gaming authorities, as evidenced by an August 2026 memorandum between the ADGM Financial Services Regulatory Authority and the General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority. The Connect event will maintain a strict business focus without public admission, consistent with the format of prior Abu Dhabi Gaming gatherings.
Organizers have emphasized practical outcomes including pre-scheduled meetings and project showcases that have produced partnerships in past iterations. The Emirates News Agency indicated that registration details and the precise agenda will be released through official Abu Dhabi Gaming channels in the coming days. Industry representatives have used these platforms to discuss market entry, talent relocation and access to incentives offered by entities such as twofour54 and Hub71.
Abu Dhabi Gaming continues to support ecosystem growth through events that align with the emirate’s wider economic diversification objectives. Data from multiple editions demonstrate consistent attendance by studio founders and publishers seeking regional expansion. The September 24 Connect session is the latest in a calendar that has already featured the Global Game Jam and multiple esports tournaments this year.
