Dubai opens registration for world's first international school esports championship

Dubai has opened registration for EGAMES DUBAI27, billed as the world's first international school esports championship, which will bring students from different countries together to compete for the title of EGAMES World Champion.

The inaugural live finals are scheduled to take place in April 2027 at GEMS School of Research & Innovation (SRI) in Dubai. The competition will be open to students from government-run, state-funded and private schools.

Co-created by Varkey Group and the British Esports Federation, the initiative has secured commitments from 14 national esports federations, including the Emirates Esports Federation. Organisers expect more countries to join in the coming months.

Students enrolled during the 2026/27 academic year will be eligible to participate. Those seeking a place in the Dubai finals must first compete in national tournaments organised by their respective country's esports federation.

Three esports competitions planned

EGAMES DUBAI27 will feature three competitions:

• EA SPORTS FC 27

• Rocket League

• Minecraft build tournament

Winning teams will receive medals and other prizes, including scholarships, experiences at the Esports Nations Cup and new equipment for their schools' facilities.

Organisers say the championship will offer students more than an opportunity to demonstrate their gaming abilities. It is also intended to help participants develop teamwork, communication, resilience and digital skills, while introducing them to career opportunities in gaming, technology and related industries.

Sunny Varkey, Chairman and Founder of Varkey Group and GEMS Education, said the initiative aims to bring young people from around the world together through learning and competition. He added that the skills developed through esports could create opportunities in technology, gaming and digital creativity.

GEMS Education has joined the initiative as an education partner, while organisations from the education and technology sectors have been invited to support the competition.

National federations join initiative

British Esports President and GEMS Esports Ambassador Chester King said the federation had been working to establish esports as an educational and competitive opportunity for students since 2016.

Its existing Student Champs series has more than 600 school teams competing across four game titles, with live finals attracting hundreds of thousands of viewers, he said.

King added that the partnership with Varkey Group would help extend school-level esports competition across national borders.

The 14 federations that have committed to the inaugural championship represent the UAE, UK, Argentina, Brazil, Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, Ireland, Jordan, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Türkiye and Zimbabwe.

Dubai expands gaming and esports ambitions

Dubai's selection as host comes as the emirate continues to develop its gaming and esports ecosystem through initiatives such as the Dubai Programme for Gaming 2033, launched by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence.

Other initiatives include the Dubai Esports and Games Festival's education and youth engagement programme, the Dubai Media Council's establishment of the Dubai Gaming Committee, and the inclusion of esports among priority emerging sports in the Dubai Sports Sector Strategic Plan 2033.

Alongside the championship, organisers plan to hold an education summit in Dubai for teachers, partners and other stakeholders. Discussions will cover esports education, digital skills, artificial intelligence, safeguarding, coaching and skills needed for future careers.

Layne Robinson, former Head of Social Policy at the Commonwealth Secretariat, said esports could support youth engagement, employability and innovation by providing opportunities for teamwork and digital skills development.