GITEX Global 2026 at a Glance
GITEX Global is the world's largest and longest-running large-scale technology, startup and AI exhibition, first launched in 1981. The 2026 edition marks its 46th year and its most significant transformation yet — a brand-new venue, a shifted calendar slot, and a reunion with its startup arm, Expand North Star, under one roof.
Dates
7 – 11 Dec 2026Scale Summit
7 Dec, DWTCMain expo
8-11 Dec, Expo CityVenue
Dubai Exhibition CentreAttendees
200,000+ expectedExhibitors
6,800+Countries
180+Standard pass
~AED 630The date change matters as much as the venue: after decades in an October slot, GITEX Global 2026 has shifted to December — placing it squarely in Dubai's peak winter tourism season, which is both good news (better weather, more flight options) and a warning (hotels and flights fill up faster and cost more the closer you get to the dates).
A note on accuracy: as with any major international event, exact ticket pricing, exhibitor lists and final agenda details are confirmed by organisers in the months leading up to the show. This guide reflects the latest publicly available information from GITEX and Expo City Dubai at the time of writing — always check gitex.com for final confirmation before booking.
What Is GITEX Global?
GITEX Global is a business-to-business and business-to-government technology exhibition where global tech companies, government delegations, startups and investors gather to showcase products, strike deals, and discuss where the technology industry is heading next. It is not a general public consumer electronics fair — think less "gadget show," more "global AI and enterprise-tech dealmaking floor."
Since its founding in 1981, GITEX has grown into one of the most-attended technology events on the planet, historically held at the Dubai World Trade Centre. For 2026, the show enters what organisers are calling its "GITEX 5.0" era — a bigger venue, a reunited startup ecosystem, and a broader programme spanning artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, quantum computing, robotics and more.
People who attend GITEX typically fall into a few groups: technology founders and startups exhibiting or sourcing partnerships, investors and venture capital firms doing deal flow across the Middle East and North Africa, corporate buyers and enterprise IT teams evaluating new vendors, government and policy delegations, and business travellers combining the trip with wider UAE company formation, banking or investment meetings.
GITEX Dubai 2026 Dates & Schedule
One of the most-searched questions right now is simply "when is GITEX Dubai 2026?" — here's the full breakdown of the five-day schedule.
7 December — GITEX Scale Summit
Dubai World Trade CentreA single day of high-level strategic dialogue for global leaders, covering AI economies, national policy and investment trends. This is the day for C-suite executives, ministers and policy-focused attendees rather than general exhibition browsing.
8-11 December — Main Exhibition
Dubai Exhibition Centre, Expo City DubaiFour full days of exhibitor stands, startup zones, live demos, keynote stages and networking across the newly expanded venue. This is where the vast majority of visitors, exhibitors and Expand North Star startups are based.
Recommended travel window: most international visitors plan to arrive on or before 6 December to settle in ahead of the Scale Summit, and depart on or after 12 December to comfortably cover all four exhibition days without rushing to the airport on the final evening.
| Day | Date | What's On |
|---|---|---|
| Recommended arrival | 6 December | Settle in, collect badge, explore Expo City Dubai |
| Day 1 | 7 December | GITEX Scale Summit — Dubai World Trade Centre |
| Day 2 | 8 December | Main exhibition opens — Dubai Exhibition Centre |
| Day 3 | 9 December | Exhibition floor, keynotes, sector zones |
| Day 4 | 10 December | Exhibition floor, Expand North Star startup sessions |
| Day 5 | 11 December | Final exhibition day, closing sessions |
| Recommended departure | 12 December | Fly home or extend into a Dubai weekend |
The New Venue: Why GITEX Moved to Expo City Dubai
This is the single biggest talking point around GITEX 2026, and it changes several practical things for attendees — even people who have been to GITEX many times before.
45 years at DWTC — until now
First-ever relocationAfter decades held at the Dubai World Trade Centre, GITEX Global's main exhibition has relocated to the Dubai Exhibition Centre (DEC) inside Expo City Dubai for 2026.
A multi-billion-dirham expansion
~1.5x larger than beforeThe move follows a major expansion of Dubai Exhibition Centre, intended to make it the largest purpose-built indoor events space in the region — roughly 1.5 times the size of the previous venue.
Built on the Expo 2020 site
Purpose-built districtExpo City Dubai is the redeveloped legacy site of World Expo 2020 Dubai, now a permanent, modern district combining exhibition space, offices and public infrastructure.
Closer to Al Maktoum Airport
Practical travel advantageExpo City Dubai sits nearer to Dubai's Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) than the old DWTC venue, which is a useful detail when comparing arrival airports and onward transport options.
Why this matters for you: if you've attended GITEX before, almost every travel assumption from previous years — nearest hotels, best metro stop, taxi routes — needs re-checking for 2026. This guide is built entirely around the new Expo City Dubai location.
Flights to Dubai for GITEX Global 2026
Whether you're travelling for the Scale Summit, the main exhibition, or both, here's how to plan your flights from the UK's major cities to Dubai for the 7-11 December 2026 window.
London to Dubai
Direct, ~7 hoursDirect flights operate from London Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted to Dubai International Airport (DXB) with carriers including Emirates, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic. Heathrow offers the widest choice of daily departure times.
Manchester to Dubai
Direct availableManchester has direct Dubai routes, making it a convenient option for attendees across the North of England and North Wales without needing to connect through London first.
Birmingham to Dubai
Direct availableBirmingham Airport offers direct Dubai connections, a strong option for Midlands-based businesses and delegates heading to GITEX.
Edinburgh & Glasgow to Dubai
Direct or 1-stop via hubScottish travellers can find direct or one-stop options to Dubai, typically connecting via London or a Gulf hub depending on the airline and time of year.
Combining GITEX with a UK delegation? Several UK trade and technology bodies organise official delegations to GITEX Global each year, with group arrivals typically planned for a day or two before the Scale Summit. Contact TripNext if you'd like help booking flights and accommodation alongside a delegation trip.
How Much Do Flights to Dubai Cost for GITEX?
There's no single fixed price — flight costs to Dubai vary significantly by departure airport, how far in advance you book, and whether you fly direct or via a connection. Here's what genuinely moves the price up or down for the GITEX 2026 travel window.
December is peak season
Book earlyDecember is one of Dubai's busiest tourism months thanks to cooler weather, so fares for the GITEX week typically climb the closer you get to early December.
Weekday vs weekend
Midweek often cheaperFlying out midweek rather than on a Friday or Saturday can often bring the fare down, and the same applies to your return leg after 11 December.
Direct vs connecting
Time vs cost trade-offDirect flights from London, Manchester and Birmingham save time but can cost more than a one-stop routing via a European or Gulf hub.
Booking window
Aim for 2-4 months aheadFor a fixed-date business event like GITEX, booking flights several months ahead generally secures better fares and seat availability than last-minute booking.
Where to Stay for GITEX Global 2026
With the show now at Expo City Dubai rather than Dubai World Trade Centre, your "best area to stay" answer for 2026 is different from previous years.
Expo City Dubai area
Staying at or near Expo City Dubai itself gives you the shortest possible commute to the exhibition centre — ideal if you want to walk to sessions and avoid daily transport altogether.
Dubai Marina
A popular base with a wide range of hotel options, restaurants and metro access via the Red Line, connecting through to Route 2020 for Expo City.
Business Bay
Central, business-oriented, and well connected — a strong choice for attendees who want to be near Downtown Dubai in the evenings.
Downtown Dubai
Best for attendees who want proximity to major landmarks like Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall for evenings and any extended leisure days either side of GITEX.
Book early. Hotels near Expo City Dubai and along the Red Line metro corridor are expected to fill up quickly given the scale of the event — the earlier you book, the more choice and the better the rate. Get in touch with TripNext to secure your preferred base for GITEX week.
How to Get to GITEX from Dubai Airport
Dubai Metro (fastest)
Red Line, Route 2020The Dubai Metro Red Line's Route 2020 extension runs directly to the Expo 2020 (Expo City) station, making it the fastest and most predictable way to reach the venue during show hours, avoiding event-week road traffic.
Taxi / ride-hailing
From DXB or DWCTaxis and ride-hailing apps run from both Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) to Expo City Dubai — DWC is the closer of the two airports to the venue.
On-site parking
10,000+ spacesFor attendees driving or using a rental car, Expo City Dubai offers over 10,000 on-site parking spaces during the event.
Shuttle services
From DWTCShuttle services connecting the old Dubai World Trade Centre area to the new Expo City venue are also expected to run during the event for attendees staying nearer the traditional DWTC hotel cluster.
Tickets & Registration
GITEX Global 2026 requires a visitor pass for entry, and pricing is set by the official organiser rather than third parties.
| Pass Type | Indicative Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard visitor pass | ~AED 630 | Main exhibition access, 8-11 December |
| Expand North Star pass | Free | Startup & investor programming |
| GITEX Scale Summit | Invitation / registration based | 7 December, Dubai World Trade Centre |
*Prices are indicative and based on publicly reported figures at the time of writing. Always register and purchase tickets directly through the official GITEX website (gitex.com) to avoid unofficial resellers.
Register early. Passes for major editions of GITEX have sold out ahead of the event in previous years — register your interest as soon as tickets go live rather than waiting until the final weeks before December.
What to Expect: Sectors & Themes at GITEX 2026
GITEX Global 2026's confirmed programme spans a wide range of technology sectors, giving attendees from very different industries a reason to be in the room.
This breadth is precisely why GITEX attracts such a varied crowd — from government ministers and central bank officials discussing AI policy, to early-stage founders demoing hardware prototypes, to enterprise buyers evaluating cybersecurity vendors, all under one roof across the same five days.
Exhibitors, Startups & Who's Attending
The scale of GITEX Global is what sets it apart from most regional tech events. The 2025 edition alone reported 6,800+ exhibitors, around 2,000 startups, and participants from 180+ countries — and 2026 is expected to be larger still following the move to the bigger Expo City Dubai venue.
Expand North Star startups
With Expand North Star now integrated into the main show, the startup zones are one of the most dynamic areas to watch — home to early-stage companies across AI, fintech and deep tech pitching to a global investor audience.
Global enterprise tech
Major global technology, cloud and cybersecurity companies traditionally use GITEX to unveil regional strategies, partnerships and product launches targeting the Middle East, Africa and South Asia markets.
Government & policy delegations
National pavilions and government delegations from across Asia, Europe and Africa use GITEX to showcase digital transformation strategies and attract inward investment.
UK delegation
UK trade and technology bodies have organised official delegations to GITEX Global in recent years, with a UK pavilion and coordinated group travel — worth checking if your business wants to join an organised UK cohort.
*Specific confirmed exhibitor and speaker line-ups for 2026 are released by organisers in the months before the event — check gitex.com directly for the finalised list closer to December.
GITEX Dubai Business Travel Guide
Many attendees use their GITEX trip for more than just the exhibition floor — combining it with wider UAE business activity. Here's what a well-planned GITEX business trip typically looks like.
Arrive a day early
Land on 6 December to settle in, collect your badge, and get oriented at the new Expo City venue before the Summit.
Base yourself centrally
Choose Business Bay, Dubai Marina or Expo City itself depending on whether you value nightlife, metro links or the shortest possible commute.
Plan your sessions ahead
With far more happening than any one person can attend, map out your priority keynotes and sector zones before you land.
Extend into the weekend
Since GITEX runs into 11 December, consider staying through the weekend to combine business with leisure before flying home.
Things to Do in Dubai After GITEX
With five days of exhibition behind you, Dubai offers plenty to fill any extra time either side of the event.
Burj Khalifa & Dubai Mall
The world's tallest building and one of the world's largest malls, both in Downtown Dubai — an easy add-on for an evening or half-day.
Dubai Marina
Waterfront dining, boat tours and a lively evening scene, well connected by metro from most business hotel areas.
Museum of the Future
A natural pairing with a tech-focused trip — exhibits exploring future innovation, sustainability and space, right in the heart of Dubai.
Desert safari
A half-day or evening desert safari is a popular way to unwind after a packed exhibition schedule, combining dune driving with a traditional dinner.
Palm Jumeirah
Beach clubs, resorts and views of Dubai's iconic man-made island — ideal for a relaxed final day before flying home.
Old Dubai
The Dubai Creek, souks and heritage areas offer a different side of the city for anyone wanting a break from glass towers and exhibition halls.
Latest GITEX Dubai 2026 Updates
This is the fastest-moving part of the guide — we'll keep updating it as GITEX organisers confirm final details in the run-up to December.
Dates & venue locked in
7-11 December 2026, with the Scale Summit at Dubai World Trade Centre and the main expo at the new Dubai Exhibition Centre, Expo City Dubai.
Official ticket pricing
Final 2026 pass pricing is expected to be confirmed on gitex.com closer to the event — we'll update this page the moment it's live.
UK delegation details
UK trade bodies have organised delegations in previous years — we're monitoring for confirmed 2026 UK pavilion and group travel details.
Exhibitor & speaker announcements
Company and keynote speaker line-ups are typically released in phases through autumn — check back as more names are confirmed.
Bookmark this page for the latest GITEX Dubai 2026 travel details, or contact TripNext directly and we'll help you plan around the confirmed schedule as it firms up.