The Middle East Film and Comic Con (MEFCC) is set to remain in Abu Dhabi until at least 2027, with an extension announced during the Arabian Travel Market 2025. This strategic partnership between the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and Informa ensures that the emirate will continue to be the home of this iconic pop culture event for two more years.
MEFCC: A Pop Culture Phenomenon in the Middle East
Since its relocation to Abu Dhabi in 2022, MEFCC has become the largest pop culture gathering in the Middle East, achieving remarkable growth and attracting a diverse mix of celebrities, artists, and fans. With each edition breaking previous attendance records, the event has cemented its status as a must-attend celebration for pop culture enthusiasts in the region.
Star-Studded Lineup and Gaming Extravaganza
The 2025 edition, held from April 18-20, welcomed over 38,000 visitors and featured 400 international brands, along with appearances from big names in the entertainment industry, including:
- Andrew Garfield (The Amazing Spider-Man)
- Charlie Cox (Matt Murdock)
- Natalia Dyer (Stranger Things)
- Hideo Ishikawa (Naruto)
- Emily Rudd (One Piece)
In addition to the star-studded lineup, the popular Gaming Arena, in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Gaming, showcased thrilling tournaments and gaming challenges across consoles, PCs, and mobile platforms. Exclusive game demos gave attendees a sneak peek at upcoming releases, further enhancing the event’s appeal.
A Boost for Abu Dhabi’s Tourism and Cultural Landscape
Saleh Mohamed Al Geziry, Director General for Tourism at DCT Abu Dhabi, emphasized the significance of MEFCC’s success in the emirate. “The continued success of MEFCC in Abu Dhabi reinforces our commitment to fostering a dynamic cultural environment. We are thrilled to see the event’s growth year after year, attracting increasing numbers of international visitors who come to experience the Middle East’s largest celebration of pop culture.”
He also highlighted that the extension of the partnership with Informa strengthens Abu Dhabi’s reputation as a global hub for entertainment and culture, promising even more exciting experiences for visitors worldwide.
Read: Financial Literacy: The Key to Building Wealth and Economic Stability
An Unforgettable Celebration of Pop Culture
MEFCC offers a wide array of activities and exhibitions that cover film, television, gaming, anime, and comics. Past editions have hosted celebrated figures such as David Harbour (Stranger Things), Hayden Christensen (Star Wars), Matt Smith (House of the Dragon), and Iñaki Godoy (One Piece), as well as voice acting legends from iconic franchises like Transformers, Dragon Ball Z, and The Last of Us.
Shabnam Rawal, Managing Director of Informa, expressed excitement about the partnership’s future. “It’s a privilege to work alongside DCT Abu Dhabi to deliver MEFCC at such a world-class level. Their support has been instrumental in making the event one of the region’s most anticipated pop culture gatherings. We look forward to continuing this journey and delivering even more unforgettable experiences for fans.”
A Vision for the Future
As Abu Dhabi aims to attract over 50,000 attendees per MEFCC weekend, including a growing number of international visitors, the event aligns with the emirate’s ambitious Tourism Strategy 2030. This strategy aims to boost visitor numbers to 39.3 million and increase the travel and tourism sector’s GDP contribution to AED 90 billion ($24.5 billion) by 2030.
With MEFCC firmly entrenched as a major cultural and entertainment event in Abu Dhabi, the city is poised to remain at the forefront of the Middle East’s pop culture scene for years to come.
Stay tuned for more updates as MEFCC prepares for its future editions, set to take the world by storm until 2027 and beyond.
Follow 10X Times for more business news.
