Tencent, Wukong and more: ChinaJoy is coming to Abu Dhabi

ChinaJoy will host its first international pavilion at BRIDGE Summit 2025 in Abu Dhabi from 8–10 December at ADNEC, bringing 19 exhibitors including Tencent Games and hit IPs like Black Myth: Wukong.

H.E Dr. Jamal Al Kaabi - Vice Chairman of BRIDGE

ChinaJoy, Asia’s biggest gaming and digital entertainment show, is stepping outside China for the first time. Its dedicated pavilion will anchor the Gaming Track at BRIDGE Summit 2025 in Abu Dhabi, 8–10 December, at ADNEC.

Expect major publishers, rising studios, and a slate of known IPs to use Abu Dhabi as a hub for distribution, partnerships, and investment across the Middle East and beyond.

ChinaJoy will stage its first international pavilion at BRIDGE Summit 2025 in Abu Dhabi.
Dates: 8–10 December 2025 at ADNEC.
19 exhibitors confirmed, including Tencent Games and indie hits like Black Myth: Wukong.
Focus areas: global distribution, creator commerce, IP deals and cross-border investment.
BRIDGE Summit expects 60,000+ attendees, 300 exhibitors and 400 speakers.

What’s happening and when

The ChinaJoy Pavilion will run alongside BRIDGE Summit 2025 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre.

Dates: 8–10 December 2025
Venue: ADNEC, Abu Dhabi
Scale (Summit): 60,000+ participants, 300 exhibitors, 400 speakers
Tracks: Media, Gaming, Creator Economy, Marketing, Music, Picture, Technology

The organisers position the BRIDGE Summit as a global meeting point for media and tech. Slotting ChinaJoy into the schedule gives regional players direct access to Asian publishers, developers and investors without flying to Shanghai. If you’re following major end-of-year events in the capital, note the separate Games of the Future 2025 in Abu Dhabithe later in the month for a different, phygital-sports focus.

Who’s exhibiting

ChinaJoy is bringing a curated mix of companies and well-known IPs to the UAE.

12 companies: Tencent Games, Game Science, 505 Games, Shenzhen Moyan Culture Media, MASS, Rich Flower, W Motors, Chengdu Fserking Sports Technology, UMINTON, Beijing Cross Dreams Culture Development, Shanghai Luowen Cultural Media, YiTi Games
7 IPs: Delta Force, Black Myth: Wukong, Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, King of the Basket, Vegetables Fairy, Tales of the Neon Sea, Mercury Abbey

It’s a broad spread. You’ve got blockbuster PC and mobile titles, large MMO projects and a healthy indie presence. Expect gameplay previews, new title reveals and plenty of meetings about regional distribution. For the UAE, direct conversations with rights holders should speed up localisation, marketing and esports planning.

Why it matters for the UAE and MENA

The Pavilion is designed to unlock deals beyond Asia by putting publishers, creators and investors in the same room.

Faster routes for Middle East distribution and payments
IP licensing across gaming, film, fashion and merchandise
Creator-led commerce and influencer partnerships
Esports tie-ins and regional tournaments

The timing fits the region’s push to grow games publishing and studio support. See MY.GAMES bringing its publishing programme to MENA for how global firms are setting up in Abu Dhabi to work with local teams. A ChinaJoy presence at BRIDGE Summit should widen that pipeline, from indie deals to big-budget releases.

What visitors can expect at the Pavilion

Organisers say the pavilion will be split into zones highlighting software, services and the wider culture of gaming.

Live demos and hands-on sessions
Previews of unannounced or upcoming titles
Partner meetings for distribution, co-dev and investment
Showcases for creative studios, merch and lifestyle brands

Gaming IP now seeps into fashion, film and collectables. The pavilion leans into that crossover, so do not be surprised to see licensing teams next to devs. For creators, the pitch is simple: build commerce around communities, not just individual launches.

Background: Two decades of ChinaJoy

ChinaJoy has been the centrepiece of Asia’s gaming calendar for over 20 years, drawing huge crowds to Shanghai and acting as a launchpad for partnerships across platforms.

The Abu Dhabi edition marks the first time ChinaJoy has packaged a pavilion for an international event. It follows an August 2025 visit by a BRIDGE Summit delegation to Shanghai and talks between Abu Dhabi officials and ChinaJoy’s founder, Mr Han Zhihai.

FAQs

What is ChinaJoy?

ChinaJoy is Asia’s largest gaming and digital entertainment expo. It’s known for publisher reveals, business matching and large public halls.

When and where is the ChinaJoy Pavilion in the UAE?

8–10 December 2025 at ADNEC, Abu Dhabi, as part of BRIDGE Summit 2025.

Who’s coming to the Pavilion?

A 19-strong line-up including Tencent Games, Game Science and 505 Games, plus IPs like Black Myth: Wukong, Wuchang: Fallen Feathers, Delta Force and more.

Is this open to the public or trade-only?

The press material focuses on industry activity such as demos, investment and distribution meetings. Check BRIDGE Summit’s official channels for ticketing and access details.

Why should regional studios attend?

Direct access to Asian publishers and investors can accelerate funding, localisation, and platform support. It’s also a chance to pitch IP, co-dev and licensing. For a wider market context, see our piece on what UAE gamers spend and why.