What To Know
- As creators and industry leaders gather in the city, the event sets the stage for three days of discussion, learning, and collaboration tied directly to the future of digital media.
- Dubai is set to host one of the most talked-about creator economy events of the year as the 1 Billion Followers Summit 2026 returns from January 9 to January 11, 2026.
- With its multi-venue format, packed agenda, and high-profile speaker lineup, the summit offers a wide-ranging program focused on content, technology, and creator-led growth.
Dates, venues, speakers, tickets, and major announcements shaping Dubai this January
Dubai is set to host one of the most talked-about creator economy events of the year as the 1 Billion Followers Summit 2026 returns from January 9 to January 11, 2026. The three-day gathering brings content creators, digital entrepreneurs, media leaders, and platform executives together under the theme Content for Good. The summit places focus on storytelling, technology, artificial intelligence, monetisation, and creator-led business growth. Thousands of attendees are expected to take part in talks, workshops, and curated sessions spread across several major locations in the city.
Event Dates and Venues
The summit runs for three consecutive days and takes place at some of Dubai’s most recognisable venues. Programming will be hosted at Jumeirah Emirates Towers, the Museum of the Future, and the Dubai International Financial Centre. Each venue will host a mix of keynote stages, panel discussions, workshops, exhibition zones, and dedicated networking areas. The multi-location setup allows different themes and sessions to run simultaneously, giving attendees multiple ways to experience the event throughout the schedule.
Speakers and Sessions
The speaker lineup brings together figures from entertainment, business, and digital media. Headline names include Will Smith, MrBeast, Lara Trump, and comedian Max Amini. They will appear in keynote sessions, panels, and live discussions during the summit. Additional speakers include entrepreneur Simon Squibb, Emaar founder Mohamed Alabbar, and former footballer Rio Ferdinand.
The program also features creators known for global and regional reach, including Khalid Al Ameri, Omar Farooq, Ammar Kandil of Yes Theory, and Alexandra Hirschi, widely known as Supercar Blondie. The agenda includes more than 580 sessions, covering artificial intelligence in content creation, monetisation strategies, audience growth, platform trends, brand partnerships, and creator-led ventures.
Key Initiatives and Features
Several major initiatives form part of the 2026 summit. A $1 million AI Film Award will recognise work in artificial intelligence–generated filmmaking, with shortlisted projects showcased during the event. The Creators Ventures Programme introduces an AED 50 million funding pool aimed at supporting content-driven startups. A dedicated SME Pavilion will feature tools, platforms, and services for creators and digital businesses. Networking lounges and collaboration spaces will run throughout the venues to encourage interaction between creators, brands, investors, and platform leaders.
The 1 Billion Followers Summit 2026 positions Dubai at the centre of global creator economy conversations this January. With its multi-venue format, packed agenda, and high-profile speaker lineup, the summit offers a wide-ranging program focused on content, technology, and creator-led growth. As creators and industry leaders gather in the city, the event sets the stage for three days of discussion, learning, and collaboration tied directly to the future of digital media.
