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The DEAL trade show will take place in February 2026, with the move aiming to place the event as the first major global event of the year for the global attractions industry
Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 13 May 2025
DEAL 2026 will now take place in February rather than April Credit: DEAL
The Dubai Entertainment, Amusement and Leisure (DEAL) show will kick off the 2026 calendar for the global amusement sector, with the event set to take place in February next year.
Marking a shift from its traditional April date, the move to February, says DEAL, positions the event as the first major international trade show of the year for the attractions industry.
Now in its 32nd year, DEAL is organised by International Expo-Consults and is the longest-running B2B event for the amusement sector in the Middle East and Africa region. The 2025 edition attracted participants from 112 countries, covering a range of sectors including VR, arcade, edutainment, family entertainment centres, and themed attractions.
According to Abdul Rahman Falaknaz, president of International Expo-Consults, the change in timing is designed to help exhibitors engage earlier with project developers and benefit from the start of new fiscal cycles.
“The shift to February is a strategic move,” he said. “It allows our exhibitors to engage earlier in the calendar year and optimise their impact. DEAL 2026 will deliver a more seamless,
curated and ROI-focused experience for everyone involved.”
The 2026 edition will introduce thematic zones with a stronger focus on edutainment, immersive technologies, and AI-driven experiences. There will also be expanded regional participation, with growth markets such as Egypt, Jordan, and Sub-Saharan Africa expected to play a larger role in the event.
The show will also be guided by a newly formed advisory board made up of regional industry professionals. The board will work with organisers to ensure the programme remains aligned with current business goals and technology trends.
Governments across the region are investing heavily in tourism and leisure infrastructure as part of national diversification agendas. Mega projects, futuristic theme parks, and integrated entertainment zones are being rolled out at an accelerated pace and in this environment of rapid transformation, DEAL is positioned as a gateway for global brands looking to tap into these opportunities.
“At DEAL 2025, legacy partners and visionary newcomers came together to shape the next chapter of the industry’s evolution,” said Falaknaz. “This momentum gives us every reason to believe that DEAL 2026 will be our biggest and most impactful edition yet.”
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