Global Games Show Riyadh 2026 : Fueling Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030

The Global Games Show (GGS) Riyadh 2026 edition, organised by VAP Group and powered by the Times of Games, will bring developers, publishers, investors and gamers together in the Saudi capital for two days of panels, live demonstrations, workshops and networking. The Riyadh show, announced in coverage by StartupNews.fyi on February 23, 2026, positions itself as a focal point for game development, esports and interactive entertainment, and offers attendees single‑ticket access to parallel flagship events — the Global AI Show and the Global Blockchain Show.

"GGS is a convergence of ideas, creativity, and opportunity in the gaming world," the event description states, framing the show as a meeting point for diverse industry stakeholders.

Speakers, sessions and the agenda

Past GGS editions have featured an international roster of founders and executives, and the Riyadh programme builds on that legacy. StartupNews.fyi’s preview lists speakers such as Johnson Yeh, Founder and CEO of ROEHL/Ambrus Studio; Yat Siu, Co‑Founder and Chairman of Animoca Brands; Dirk Lueth, Ph.D., Co‑Founder and Co‑CEO of Uplandme, Inc.; and Paul Dawalibi, CEO of Holodeck Ventures. Additional industry innovators named in the coverage include Ilman Shazhaev, Founder of Farcana; Klaus Kajetski, Founder and CEO of YaLLa Esports; Jonathan Bouzanquet, Chief Strategy Officer and Founder of PLAYA3ULL Games; and Assad Dar, Co‑Founder and Chief Visionary Officer of Medieval Empires.

• Day 1 focuses on gaming technology: conversations on Saudi Arabia’s ambitions as an esports capital, the next phase of gaming engines with Unreal Engine 6, brain–computer interfaces, and AI‑generated game design.
• Day 2, titled "Gameconomics," examines the business of games: crowdfunding, mobile opportunities, player‑governed communities and developer–investor partnerships.

Organisers emphasise community and collaboration: dedicated networking areas and matchmaking sessions aim to connect creators, investors and publishers, while startups are offered a platform to showcase innovations and attract investment. Educational sessions will cover immersive and cloud gaming, monetisation strategies and strategic growth pathways for studios.

Ethics and transparency

StartupNews.fyi’s article also includes a site disclaimer underscoring editorial standards. "We strive to uphold the highest ethical standards in all of our reporting and coverage. We StartupNews.fyi want to be transparent with our readers about any potential conflicts of interest that may arise in our work," the outlet writes, signalling an intent to maintain impartial coverage even when reporting on investors or companies that may overlap with other entities featured on the site.

Outlook

With its mix of technical deep dives, business‑facing panels and community programming, GGS Riyadh 2026 aims to consolidate Riyadh’s profile as a hub for interactive technology and digital entertainment. By bundling access to the Global AI Show and the Global Blockchain Show, organisers are positioning the event as an interdisciplinary meeting point where gaming intersects with AI and blockchain innovation — a strategy likely to appeal to publishers, investors and startups seeking cross‑sector partnerships in the run‑up to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 creative economy ambitions.