A major new gaming expo called Kingdom of Gaming is set to debut in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from December 1–3, 2026. The event aims to bring together game developers, studios, investors, and industry stakeholders from across the world, positioning Riyadh as a rising hub for game-creation and commerce.
According to organisers, the conference will host over 20,000 attendees, 300 exhibitors and sponsors, and 500 participating game studios and developers. In addition, more than 50 startups, 200 investors, and 25 publishing or investment deals are expected to happen during the event, alongside panels, workshops, training sessions, and networking programs designed to stimulate global growth and collaboration.
What to Expect: Not Just Another Gaming Expo
Global meeting ground: Kingdom of Gaming isn’t just another trade show. It’s envisioned as a fully integrated “game-creation ecosystem” where game makers, publishers, financiers, and creatives converge to shape the future of gaming worldwide.
Innovation meets opportunity: The event aims to spotlight not only software and games, but also the technology behind them, engine tools, platform infrastructure, distribution deals, and emerging markets. As per organisers, the goal is to nurture new intellectual property, fresh talent, and sustainable funding for games globally.
A hub for the Global South: With Saudi backing and global outreach, Kingdom of Gaming could provide a major boost to game developers from Africa, Asia, Latin America, regions that are often underrepresented in global game conferences. The event positions itself as a gateway for emerging-market developers to access investors and international markets.
Why This Matters
- More investment in games, With hundreds of studios and dozens of investors converging, there’s a chance for more funding, better games, and increased opportunities for indie developers.
- Breaking regional barriers, Developers from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and beyond might find easier paths to publishing, funding, and global exposure, not just games from Western studios.
- Tech and distribution access, The event highlights the infrastructure behind game creation: tools, platforms, publishing deals. That could improve access for smaller studios to resources previously out of reach.
Global collaboration & diversity, By bringing together creators from different regions, Kingdom of Gaming could foster cross-cultural collaboration, leading to games with fresh narratives and diverse representation.
What to Watch: Key Dates & What to Plan For
- Event dates: December 1–3, 2026, mark it. Get ready for a major spectacle of game demos, networking, investor panels, and publishing pitches.
- Who’s likely to attend: Game developers (indie & studios), publishers, investors, tech/platform companies, game-tech startups, and global media.
Why attend (or pay attention): Whether you’re a developer, investor, or fan of global gaming, Kingdom of Gaming might shape the next generation of games. For global-south creators especially, this could be a major stepping stone.
Kingdom of Gaming might just be the event that shifts the gaming world’s center of gravity. Instead of being dominated by a few countries, this event could redefine global game creation, opening up access, funding, and opportunities to regions long underserved.
Would you want to attend if you had the chance? Do you think events like this make a difference for global game diversity? Drop your thoughts below!