Now in its 32nd year, DEAL is the Middle East and Africa’s longest-running B2B platform for the amusement and attractions industry.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, December 22, 2025/ — African family entertainment centre (FEC) operators, mall owners, mixed-use developers, hospitality groups, leisure investors and tourism agencies are invited to source the next generation of attractions, rides, VR/AR experiences and turnkey indoor concepts at DEAL 2026 – the Dubai Entertainment Amusement & Leisure Exhibition (www.DealMiddleEastShow.com), taking place 10–12 February 2026 at Dubai World Trade Centre.
Now in its 32nd year, DEAL is the Middle East and Africa’s longest-running B2B platform for the amusement and attractions industry. Visitors from Africa can register here:
https://apo-opa.co/3MM18bH
“As organisers, our brief has always been simple: DEAL must be a commercial engine, not a ceremonial expo,” said Abdulrahman Falaknaz, President, International Expo-Consults (IEC).
“Buyers from Africa are no longer just benchmarking global concepts; they are sourcing partners, signing agreements and budgeting for delivery. That momentum is exactly why we expect DEAL 2026 to be our most impactful edition yet—especially for African operators looking to scale quickly, safely and sustainably.”
Why this matters for Africa, now?
Africa’s youth base is a live demand engine: more than 60% of Africans are under 25, a cohort that expects premium, safe and tech-enabled entertainment close to home. According to Cognitive Market Research, the Middle East & Africa FEC market is projected to grow at 11.5% CAGR through 2031, with regional spend already exceeding USD 700 million in 2025.
DEAL 2026 will showcase the full commercial spectrum of today’s location-based entertainment economy, including:
- Themed rides and large-format attractions
- Turnkey family entertainment centres
- Waterparks and water play solutions
- VR/AR and immersive gaming arenas
- Esports and arcade systems
- Participatory play equipment
- Redemption and coin-operated machines
- High-tech show effects
- Admissions, ticketing and operations technology
- Themed retail, décor and IP/licensing
- Full concept-to-delivery support from master planners, fabricators and fit-out specialists
This profile is designed for decision-makers building or upgrading theme parks, malls, mixed-use leisure districts, hotels and resorts, and tourism-led attractions—enabling them to source everything under one roof, from hardware and content to safety compliance and revenue optimisation.
African trade visitors will be able to:
- Evaluate proven revenue models suited to Gen Z and young-family demographics
- Source attractions aligned with global safety and maintenance standards
- Benchmark pricing, throughput and ROI with Gulf-based operators
- Build partnerships with IP owners, master planners and technology providers capable of localising content for African markets
“With manufacturers, IP owners, waterpark specialists, VR/AR content studios, esports infrastructure providers and turnkey FEC developers under one roof, DEAL compresses months of sourcing into days,” Falaknaz added.
“Our goal is to help African stakeholders move from concept to commercially bankable projects—supported by the right standards, operating expertise and partners.”
DEAL 2026 runs 10–12 February 2026 at Dubai World Trade Centre.
Exhibitor and visitor information for African delegations is available at:
www.DealMiddleEastShow.com
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Dubai Entertainment Amusement & Leisure Exhibition (DEAL 2026).
For booth bookings and hosted-buyer enquiries:
Frida
fr***@******ai.com
SOURCE:
Dubai Entertainment Amusement & Leisure Exhibition (DEAL 2026)
