Megacampus Summit 2026 in Dubai

Megacampus Summit 2026 in Dubai brings two days of talks from some of the best-known names in film, sport, business and science to Coca-Cola Arena on Friday 20 and Saturday 21 November. Running under the tagline Born to Evolve, the summit expects around 13,000 entrepreneurs, investors, innovators and creators, with speakers including James Cameron, Magnus Carlsen, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Robert Greene and Wim Hof. Doors open at 9am and the programme runs 10am to 7pm on both days.

What is Megacampus Summit?

Megacampus Summit is a large-scale lecture event organised by Megacampus, whose CEO is Grigory Avetov, with the participation of Dubai authorities. Its first Dubai edition took place at Coca-Cola Arena on 2 and 3 December 2024, co-organised with Synergy Business School Dubai, and drew about 13,000 participants to hear Richard Branson, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Casey Neistat, Randi Zuckerberg, Luc Besson and Robert Kiyosaki. Guinness World Records recognised that 2024 summit as the world’s largest lecture event.

This is the second Dubai edition. It was first announced for March 2026 and is now ticketed for 20 and 21 November 2026, so check your booking if you bought early. The organisers expect participants from more than 75 countries.

The speakers and what they will cover

• James Cameron: the Academy Award-winning film-maker, explorer and CEO of Lightstorm Entertainment, in an on-stage conversation with Issam Kazim, CEO of Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing, about imagination and turning ideas into projects.
• Magnus Carlsen: the chess great on clarity and calm under pressure, and how to make decisions when mistakes are costly.
• Wim Hof: his breathing and cold-exposure methods, and regaining control over body and life.
• Dave Ulrich: the emeritus professor often called the father of modern HR, author of more than 30 books, on the future of talent and building organisations where people and performance grow together.
• Robert Greene: the author on how power evolves from force to strategy and mastery.
• Khabib Nurmagomedov: the former UFC lightweight champion, returning after the 2024 edition.
• Dr Christoph Adami: Michigan State University professor working across microbiology, molecular genetics, physics and astronomy.
• Grigory Avetov: CEO of Megacampus.

It is an unusually broad bill. Cameron is the director behind Titanic and the Avatar films, Carlsen held the world chess title between 2013 and 2023, and Hof, the Dutch athlete nicknamed the Iceman, is known worldwide for his breathing method. The ticket page lists further speakers still to be confirmed, and more names are due to be announced before November.

Ticket tiers explained

Every ticket is a two-day pass with daily access. The four tiers differ mainly in seating and extras:

• Platinum: an armchair in front of the stage with row and seat selection, the Platinum Lounge with premium catering, an autograph and photo session with speakers, a gala dinner with speakers and access to the after-party on 21 November.
• VIP: a seat in the VIP sector in front of the stage with row and seat selection, plus after-party access on 21 November.
• Standard: a seat in the Standard sector on the second tier.
• Light: a seat in the Light sector on the third tier.

Standard and Light seats are assigned automatically by best availability, so groups who want to sit together should buy their tickets in a single order.

The venue: Coca-Cola Arena

Coca-Cola Arena sits in the City Walk area and is Dubai’s largest indoor multi-purpose venue, which is what makes an audience of 13,000 possible. Its tiered layout explains the ticket structure, with Platinum and VIP in front of the stage and Standard and Light on the second and third tiers. City Walk’s cafés and restaurants are on the doorstep for lunch between sessions.

Getting there

From Sheikh Zayed Road, take Exit 47 towards Al Safa Street and follow the signs for City Walk. By Metro, take the Red Line to Burj Khalifa/Dubai Mall, the nearest station, then take a short taxi ride to City Walk; on foot it is a walk of around 20 minutes. Most taxi drivers know the arena.

Entry rules

The summit is for ages 16 and over. E-tickets are emailed around two days before the event, and re-entry is not allowed once your ticket has been validated, so plan the day before you head in. Tickets bought from unauthorised resellers may be cancelled, and lost or stolen tickets are not replaced. Smoking, drugs and weapons are banned, and camera and recording use may be restricted. Tickets are non-refundable unless the event is cancelled or rescheduled.

Who it suits

Founders, managers, HR leaders, students and anyone interested in leadership, performance and big ideas will find something on the line-up, from Ulrich on talent to Carlsen on decision-making. It also works as a team outing for companies investing in their people. For more events like this, browse our business and networking listings, or see things to do in November and things to do in Dubai.