Co-created by Varkey Group and British Esports Federation, EGAMES DUBAI27 will bring national school qualifiers to Dubai in April 2027
Registration has opened for EGAMES DUBAI27, a global esports competition designed for students from state-funded, government-run and independent schools, with the inaugural live finals scheduled for April 2027 at GEMS School of Research & Innovation in Dubai.
Co-created by Varkey Group and the British Esports Federation, the competition aims to connect schools through safe and inclusive esports while developing students’ teamwork, communication, resilience and digital skills. Fourteen national esports federations have committed to the initiative, with more expected to join.
Students enrolled during the 2026/27 academic year will first take part in national tournaments organised by their respective esports federations.
Qualifiers will progress to the Dubai finals, where competitors will vie for the EGAMES World Champion title across EA SPORTS FC 27, Rocket League and a Minecraft build tournament.
Teams will be eligible for medals and other prizes, including scholarships, experiences at the Esports Nations Cup and hardware for their schools. GEMS Education has joined the initiative as an education partner, while organisers are inviting other education, technology and industry organisations to participate.
Dubai will host the inaugural finals amid wider efforts to develop its gaming and esports sector, including the Dubai Program for Gaming 2033, the Dubai Esports and Games Festival and the Dubai Gaming Committee. Alongside the competition, organisers plan an education summit covering esports education, digital skills, artificial intelligence, safeguarding, coaching and future skills.
Sunny Varkey, Chairman and Founder of Varkey Group and GEMS Education, said: “Our aim is to bring young people from around the world together, giving them the opportunity to learn, connect, create, compete and lead. We want students to see how the skills they develop can open doors across technology, gaming, digital creativity and beyond. Their potential deserves to be nurtured, and their achievements recognised on a world stage.”
Chester King, President of the British Esports Federation and GEMS Esports Ambassador, said the federation had focused on esports education and school competition since 2016. Its Student Champs series now involves more than 600 school teams competing across four titles. EGAMES will extend that approach to international school competition supported by national esports federations.
Layne Robinson, former Head of Social Policy at the Commonwealth Secretariat, also highlighted the potential of esports to strengthen youth engagement, employability, digital skills and technological innovation.
The 14 participating national federations represent Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Ghana, Ireland, Jordan, Kenya, New Zealand, Nigeria, Poland, Türkiye, the UAE, the UK and Zimbabwe.
Schools and prospective partners can find further information and register their interest at www.egames.gg.
Source: Tahawul Tech
