Students from government, state funded and private schools worldwide can compete for the EGAMES World Champion title, with the inaugural finals scheduled for Dubai in April 2027.
Dubai is preparing to welcome school students from around the world for an international esports championship that aims to take competitive gaming beyond entertainment and into education. Registration has opened for EGAMES DUBAI27, a global competition giving students the opportunity to represent their schools and countries on an international stage.
The initiative is co-created by Varkey Group and the British Esports Federation, with support from national esports federations and educational institutions. The tournament is open to students from government-run, state-funded and private schools.
The inaugural live finals will take place in April 2027 at GEMS School of Research & Innovation (SRI) in Dubai. Students will compete across three gaming categories, with national tournaments determining which teams progress to the international finals.
Three Competitions to Feature at the Dubai Finals
EGAMES DUBAI27 will feature three competitions: EA SPORTS FC 27, Rocket League and a Minecraft build tournament.
The selection brings together different aspects of gaming, from football simulations and team-based competition to creative digital construction.
Students will first compete in national tournaments organised by their respective country’s esports federation. The highest-ranking teams will then earn places at the international finals in Dubai.
The competition is open to young people studying during the 2026/27 academic year, allowing eligible students from different educational systems to participate.
Winning teams will receive medals and additional prizes, including scholarships, experiences at the Esports Nations Cup and new hardware for their schools’ facilities.
Fourteen National Esports Federations Have Committed
The international competition has already attracted support from 14 national esports federations, including the Emirates Esports Federation.
Other participating countries include the United Kingdom, Argentina, Brazil, Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, Ireland, Jordan, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Türkiye and Zimbabwe.
Further federations are expected to join as the initiative develops.
GEMS Education has also joined the championship as an education partner. Organisers are inviting additional institutions and organisations from the education, technology and other sectors to support the programme.
Sunny Varkey, Chairman and Founder of Varkey Group and GEMS Education, said the initiative was designed to bring young people together through opportunities to learn, connect, create and compete.
He also highlighted how skills developed through esports could help students explore future opportunities in gaming, technology and digital creativity.
Why Esports Is Becoming Part of Education
The championship reflects a growing recognition that competitive gaming can offer learning opportunities beyond the games themselves.
Organisers aim to use the competition to encourage teamwork, resilience, digital skills and communication among students. Representing a school or country also introduces young participants to international collaboration and competition.
For some students, involvement in esports could provide an introduction to careers in game development, digital media, technology and other related industries.
Chester King, President of the British Esports Federation and GEMS Esports Ambassador, said the organisation had been working to develop esports education and school competitions since 2016.
Its existing Student Champs series involves more than 600 school teams competing across four game titles. The organisation now aims to extend school-level competition through an international format involving national esports federations.
Dubai Strengthens Its Position in Global Gaming
Hosting the inaugural finals adds another development to Dubai’s efforts to establish itself as an international gaming and esports destination.
The emirate has been expanding its gaming ambitions through initiatives such as the Dubai Programme for Gaming 2033, launched by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Other developments include the Dubai Esports and Games Festival’s education and youth engagement programme, the Dubai Gaming Committee established by the Dubai Media Council, and the inclusion of esports among the priority emerging sports in the Dubai Sports Sector Strategic Plan 2033.
The city will also host an education summit alongside the 2027 championship. The planned gathering will bring together teachers, partners and other stakeholders to discuss esports education, digital skills, artificial intelligence, safeguarding, coaching and the abilities young people may need for future careers.
How Schools Can Participate
Schools interested in joining EGAMES DUBAI27 can register through the championship’s official registration platform.
Students must be enrolled during the 2026/27 academic year and participate through the national qualification process organised by their country’s esports federation.
With the first international finals scheduled for April 2027, the competition offers schools an opportunity to introduce students to a growing digital field while giving young gamers a chance to represent their communities beyond their classrooms.
For Dubai, the event is another step towards connecting education with the expanding global gaming industry.