DEAL 2026 to be held in February

One of the Middle East’s premiere trade shows, DEAL, will be held in February in 2026.

The Diversified Entertainment & Amusement Association International (IAAPA) Expo Middle East will be launched at the 2026 edition of DEAL, it has been announced.

Usually held in March or April, the trade show, usually held in March or April, will now take place in February in a “strategic move” according to president of show organiser International Expo-Consults, Abdul Rahman Falaknaz, as SEA Expo continues to grow and with the introduction of IAAPA Expo Middle East in 2026.

“This shift allows our exhibitors to engage earlier in the calendar year and optimise their impact. DEAL 2026 will deliver a more seamless, curated and ROI-focused experience for everyone involved,” said Falaknaz.

DEAL 2025 recently came to a close, with industry professionals from 112 countries converging to witness the latest in arcade, VR and FEC equipment.

Highlighting the role of DEAL in the success stories of exhibitors, Nabil Kassim, CEO of Warehouse of Games, who has been a regular participant at DEAL for the last three decades, said: “We are grateful to have started our journey with DEAL in 1993, and this show has been instrumental for us to showcase our products and expand our business in the Middle East. We have a special connection with DEAL as it was present at the onset of our story and continues to be a part of our successes.

“We began as a small five-men company, and today, 51 members strong, we are one of the leading suppliers of amusement equipment in the region. We are very happy to have participated in the 31st edition of DEAL and wish the show continued success.”

Prakash Vivekanand, founder and CEO of Amusement Services International, added: “I’ve been an integral part of the DEAL show right from day one - initially as a member of the IEC team and later as an exhibitor. I joined the Tâmien City Amusement in 1993 and had the pleasure of working closely with the International Expo-Consults team in organising this renowned event.

“We’ve grown exponentially over the years with the support of the DEAL platform, and I want to thank the IEC team for consistently organising this event for 31 consecutive years. It is a testament to their dedication and passion for the industry.”

The 2026 edition of DEAL will also introduce new thematic zones, along with a strong focus on edutainment, immersive technology and AI-driven experiences.