Amin Abbas

DUBAI: The first edition of PopCon ME & Game Expo, part of the Dubai Esport Festival, will take place this year from the Nov. 10- 13 at the Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC), Expo City Dubai.

The expo promises to deliver the best in entertainment and unforgettable experiences full of fun and exciting activities along with chances to win thrilling prizes.

Held under the patronage of Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Media Council, the PopCon ME & Cosplay Generations will give participants the opportunity to display their creativity in the cosplay competition, the People’s Choice Awards, the karaoke competition, and various other challenges.

Schedule is out! Head to Dubai Expo City from November 10 – 13 to see our celebrities!#PopConME #LegendaryTogether #DEF #DubaiEsportsFestival #PlayBeyond #VisitDubai #Celebrities #GameOfThrones #Arrow #BreakingBad #Movies #Series #SpeedyComicsMe pic.twitter.com/spzR7EVB5C

— PopConME (@PopConTweets) October 27, 2022

They will also stand a chance to win big and take home a piece of the AED 76,000 prize pool. Other activities, to name a few, include a cosplay parade, a scavenger hunt, and a spin-the-wheel by Speedy Comics.

For cosplay enthusiasts, the PopCon ME has set up The Dojo where visitors can take part in creating art and content, toy building, voice acting, and cosplay workshops. The Dojo will host workshops such as the Picasso Arts, Opus Academy, Otaku ME and Sean Kanan Karate sessions for guests. The Artist Alley will host 114 artists that will include local, regional and international talent presenting and selling arts, crafts and merchandise as well the Japanese “Zen” Village at the event.

Rashid Mohammed Zubair Al Farooq from Speedy Comics said: “We are excited to kick off the first edition of PopCon ME & Game Expo. This convention will bring together like-minded artists, multi-talented people, and fans all under one roof. For fans to be able to meet artists face to face and interact with them is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The comic book industry is worth around USD 2.075 Billion, and we are looking to create a space for it in Dubai.”

Dubai Esports Festival (DEF 2022), taking place from the Nov. 9-20, is the most exciting esports and gaming event in the Middle East. A trendsetter for the region’s gaming industry, it will cement Dubai’s position as a year-round global hub for esports and gaming. Some of the events that will take place under Dubai Esports Festival will include Game Expo, concerts, Initiate conferences, and workshops, and PopCon ME. Featuring regional concerts and tournaments, the festival will allow fans to interact with each other, meet the stars, and get their hands on the latest games and merchandise.

Fans will be able to watch the latest blockbusters with family and friends at The Cinema sponsored by VOX Cinemas. They can watch the latest movie screenings along with one-on-one interviews, award ceremonies, and panel talks. On the main stage, panel sessions with celebrities will include Breaking Bad actor Giancarlo Esposito and Julian Glover known for his role in the blockbuster Black Panther. 

Fans will also be able to interact with American actress Cara Buomo who plays Karen Wheeler in the Netflix TV series Stranger Things.

Fans will be able to meet their favourite heroes and get posters and merchandise signed by the celebrities attending PopConME & GameExpo at the Meet the Heroes area of the convention. Headlining the first edition of PopConME & GameExpo will be the HBO epic fantasy series Game of Thrones English actor Kit Harington. Also confirmed to attend the convection include Canadian actor Stephen Amell, best known for his role as Oliver Queen in the TV series Arrow, The Flash, Legends of Tomorrow and Supergirl.

To keep the momentum going across the entire convention, PopCon ME & Game Expo will be flying in international band Urbandub straight from the Philippines to perform live on the main stage. Joining them will be Charlie119, The Pixies Dance Crew, Dream Fairy Idols, UAE Juggler and many more.