Gulfhost 2026: Dubai Expo's Next Chapter of Innovation

Dubai is moving GITEX Global, the world's largest tech and AI event, to December and launching it as a city-wide "tech-cation" experience starting in 2026. The shift puts the event right in Dubai's peak tourism season and transforms it from a traditional trade show into something that spans the entire city.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, directed the launch of what organizers call the world's first and largest tech-cation experience. Instead of confining GITEX to exhibition halls, the 2026 edition will spread across Dubai from December 7-11, turning the city into a live platform that blends business, technology, and lifestyle.

After 45 years of helping establish Dubai and the UAE as a global tech hub, this strategic move places GITEX at the heart of Dubai's busiest tourist season. The timing lets global tech leaders and investors explore Dubai's lifestyle and culture while attending the event, encouraging longer stays and deeper experiences.

The event will move to the Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo City Dubai, which is undergoing a $2.7 billion expansion to become the region's largest covered event venue. GITEX is working closely with Dubai's Department of Economy and Tourism and leading organizations in sports, health, hospitality, and eco-tourism to design exceptional stay programs and experiences.

This aligns with Dubai's D33 economic agenda, which aims to position Dubai among the world's top three economic cities by 2033. The tech-cation concept reinforces this by merging technological innovation with modern lifestyle, strengthening Dubai's position as a global technology and innovation center.

Dubai's appeal to tech leaders, investors, and digital professionals is backed by world-class infrastructure and global standards in business, culture, and lifestyle. The city continues to prove its competitive edge - in September 2025, Dubai ranked first globally in new foreign direct investment projects, recording flows of about $11 billion in the first half of 2025, according to the Monitor FDI Dubai report.

Dubai also secured the top spot globally in the VisaGuide Digital Nomad Visa Index and second place worldwide in the Savills Executive Nomad Index, cementing its status as a preferred destination for global digital talent.

The 2026 edition represents a historic milestone in GITEX's journey under the banner "GITEX 5.0." The event will open on December 7, 2026, with the new GITEX Scale summit, bringing together global leaders for high-level strategic dialogue on critical trends, promising opportunities, and regulatory frameworks shaping global AI economies.

From December 8-11, 2026, the exhibition will showcase the latest advanced innovations in AI 5.0 sectors, from artificial intelligence and quantum technologies to life sciences and advanced manufacturing. The goal is to stimulate collaboration between vital future sectors.

The event will see GITEX Global and Expand North Star reunite at one location, forming a unified platform that enhances the full spectrum of the global innovation ecosystem. This brings together tech giants and policymakers with startups, investors, entrepreneurs, and visionaries. The integration strengthens Dubai's position as an influential global hub and the most important meeting point for ideas, capital, and expansion opportunities.

This year's 45th edition of GITEX Global runs from October 13-17 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, featuring over 6,800 exhibitors, including 2,000 startups from 180 countries. The event attracts 1,200 investors managing assets exceeding $1.1 trillion and more than 40 unicorn companies.

As the brand behind the world's largest technology event, GITEX now extends to 14 cities worldwide, supporting dialogues that shape the future of vital sectors globally.