Gamers in the capital have the chance to show off their skills when Yas Gaming Month comes to Yas Mall in July.
After two successful runs in 2018 and 2019, the free Yas Gaming Festival is back. The immersive event, which takes place from July 7 to 17, will have Yas Mall's Sports Boulevard area transformed to include gaming stations, hands-on play, tournaments and esports.
Visitors can expect the latest titles from PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo (such as Elden Ring, Halo Infinite, WWE 2k22 and Mario Kart 8) alongside a retro gaming section, which will offer the chance to play throwback games such as Pac-Man, Asteroids or Street Fighter.
There will also be a cosplay competition, welcoming lovers of all things film, TV, games or books and the outfits to match.
Coinciding with the end of the festival will be the V10 R-League, which will have its semi-finals, bronze medal match and final of the racing league season played on July 22 and 23.
Teams will battle it out for a prize pool of £100,000 (Dh450,000). Sim racing teams competing include Mercedes AMG Esports, Red Bull Racing Esports, Aston Martin Esports and the UAE's own Yas Heat.
Even for those who aren’t participating, there will also be plenty to do. Visitors can donate old games and consoles or buy pre-owned ones from Gaming4Good, with all proceeds going to the Emirates Autism Centre.
The event is being held in collaboration with AD Gaming, which was launched in 2021 to support Abu Dhabi's drive to build a thriving gaming and esports ecosystem.
The gaming industry has continued to thrive globally and is one of the sectors being prioritised in the UAE's 10-year National Strategy for the Cultural and Creative Industries.
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Three trading apps to try
Sharad Nair recommends three investment apps for UAE residents:
- For beginners or people who want to start investing with limited capital, Mr Nair suggests eToro. “The low fees and low minimum balance requirements make the platform more accessible,” he says. “The user interface is straightforward to understand and operate, while its social element may help ease beginners into the idea of investing money by looking to a virtual community.”
- If you’re an experienced investor, and have $10,000 or more to invest, consider Saxo Bank. “Saxo Bank offers a more comprehensive trading platform with advanced features and insight for more experienced users. It offers a more personalised approach to opening and operating an account on their platform,” he says.
- Finally, StashAway could work for those who want a hands-off approach to their investing. “It removes one of the biggest challenges for novice traders: picking the securities in their portfolio,” Mr Nair says. “A goal-based approach or view towards investing can help motivate residents who may usually shy away from investment platforms.”
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
NBA Finals results
Game 1: Warriors 124, Cavaliers 114
Game 2: Warriors 122, Cavaliers 103
Game 3: Cavaliers 102, Warriors 110
Game 4: In Cleveland, Sunday (Monday morning UAE)
