The Dubai Esports & Games Festival (DEF) 2026 highlighted the growing role of women in gaming through its flagship GameExpo event, which attracted thousands of visitors. Female gamers participated in tournaments, including the Valorant Championship featuring Emirati teams from the University of Wollongong and HCT College. The event also featured professional gamer Maryam Maher, the first GCC-based female gamer to sign with an international team after winning the Valorant Champions title with G2 Gozen in 2022.