Dubai Esports and Games Festival 2025 will be spotlight event for gaming industry in the UAE
Media
Abu Dhabi F1
Metallica in Abu Dhabi: Rock icons confirmed as Saturday headliner for Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2025
Benson Boone will open the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after-race concert on Thursday, December 4, with Katy Perry closing the weekend as Sunday’s headliner
AlUla
Saudi Arabia’s AlUla to host first Instagram Creators Summit in MENA
The event is slated to be held on April 20-22
Abu Dhabi F1
Benson Boone in Abu Dhabi: American singer to headline F1 Grand Prix after-race concert
Boone has established himself as a major figure in contemporary music with over ten billion global streams
content creators
Dubai launches first-ever tourism content creator academy with Beautiful Destinations
The programme aims to establish global standards for travel content creation and address the growing demand for marketing talent in the Dubai tourism sector
Abu Dhabi real estate
Million Dollar Listing: UAE season 2 confirmed, Dubai and Abu Dhabi real estate broker cast revealed
Million Dollar Listing: UAE has confirmed a second series with recurring real estate cast members and new brokers revealed
Creative economy
Saudi Arabia’s creator economy surges 32% in Q1 2025, TikTok leads growth: Report
User-generated content is transforming Saudi digital engagement, with TikTok’s explosive popularity and rising influencer earnings shaping market dynamics
Ambani
Esports in India: Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Group to partner with BLAST for gaming business
The two will form a joint venture to conduct esports business in India
OSN
Warner Bros. Discovery takes $57m stake in OSN Streaming
Warner Bros. Discovery targets growth in Middle East with OSN Streaming deal
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi attracts Gushcloud to set up regional HQ, targeting $440bn creator economy
Gushcloud International will launch a Creator Venture Programme aimed at providing funding and business support to both local and international digital content creators
Gaming
Saudi Arabia’s Scopely buys Pokémon Go-maker Niantic Labs for $3.5bn
Saudi gaming giant buys Niantic Labs, the maker of Pokémon Go
box office
UAE cinema box office hit $218m last year as e-gaming revenue passed $408m
UAE cinema and e-gaming sectors reported increased revenue in 2024
Diriyah
Diriyah announces Media and Innovation District within $63.2bn masterplan
Diriyah Company launches Media and Innovation District within the $63.2bn masterplan in Saudi Arabia
Academy Award
Palestinian-Israeli documentary ‘No Other Land’ wins first Oscar for Best Documentary
Filmed between 2019 and 2023, ‘No Other Land’ captures the struggles of residents in Masafer Yatta, a region experiencing frequent demolitions
creative arts
Riyadh launches Creative District
Riyadh Creative District will be hub for creative minds, industry leaders, and emerging talent
Arabic
Roblox launches Arabic version
Roblox adds Arabic language support as platform sees massive growth in MENA region
Dubai
Influencers flock to Dubai ‘faster than brunch reservations on a Saturday’ fueled by Golden Visas, zero income tax, luxury lifestyle
Dubai is currently witnessing an increase in relocation of social media stars to the city, predominantly from US, Asia and Europe