Somewhere between "the world's biggest tech conference" and "that thing your LinkedIn feed won't stop talking about," LEAP 2026 has firmly secured its place on every serious technologist's calendar. If you've been Googling for the proper LEAP 2026 details; dates, venue, tickets, what on earth a "Founder Pass" is, you've landed in exactly the right place.
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Before we dive into the juicy LEAP 2026 details, let's set the scene. LEAP is an annual technology conference held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, founded in 2022 by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones (SAFCSP), and Tahaluf, an Informa company. In short: it's backed by serious muscle. The conference covers everything from artificial intelligence and fintech to smart cities, space tech, gaming, and digital commerce. Think of it as the place where the world's biggest tech ideas come to show off, shake hands, and occasionally blow your mind.
Mark your calendars, set your alarms, tell your boss you'll be "at a very important meeting" in Saudi Arabia. LEAP 2026 will be held 13–16 April 2026 at the Riyadh Exhibition and Convention Centre (RECC), Malham, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The venue is purpose-built for events of this scale, offering expansive exhibition halls, world-class facilities, and excellent international connectivity. It's also LEAP's fifth edition, a milestone that the organisers are rather proud of. As they put it on the official website, this is where "progress does not stand still, and neither does LEAP."
Prepare for some jaw-dropping numbers. LEAP 2025, the fourth edition, announced a record-breaking $14.9 billion in new AI investments on its opening day alone, pushing the total value of technology-related infrastructure investments in Saudi Arabia to over $42.4 billion since LEAP debuted in 2022. That same edition delivered a total economic impact of $817.72 million USD and generated 334,940 business connections. That’s a 120% year-on-year growth in leads per exhibitor. The year before wasn't quiet either: LEAP 2024 saw more than 215,000 visitors, 1,800 exhibitors, 1,100 speakers, and 1,600 investors whose combined assets under management reached $4.89 trillion. This year, the LEAP 2026 event details released by organisers target over 201,000 attendees, 600+ startups, 1,800 global tech brands, and more than 1,900 investors. In other words: this is not a small gathering with lukewarm coffee and name badges.
If the LEAP 2026 event details have you wondering whether the speaker line-up is worth the flight, the short answer is: absolutely yes. According to Entrepreneur Middle East and TahawulTech, confirmed names include Matt Garman, CEO of AWS, advancing cloud infrastructure at global scale; Justin Hotard, President and CEO of Nokia, shaping the future of connectivity; and Tareq Amin, CEO of HUMAIN, championing applied AI in the region. Frontier innovators rounding out the line-up include Andrew Feldman of Cerebras Systems and Chandra Donelson of the US Space Force, covering AI hardware and next-generation defence technology respectively. Beyond the stage, Gulf Tech News reports that the exhibition floor will host major enterprise names including Google Cloud, Microsoft, Oracle, Huawei, Dell Technologies, SAP, Salesforce, and Ericsson. The full speaker line-up for this LEAP 2026 tech conference can be explored at the official page.
One of the things that makes the full scope of LEAP tech conference details so impressive is the sheer breadth of topics on offer. LEAP's programme spans artificial intelligence, cloud and data infrastructure, cybersecurity, fintech, health technology, smart cities, climate and energy, space, gaming, sports technology, and digital commerce — across more than 20 tracks and 300+ hours of content delivered by speakers from 52 countries. Running alongside LEAP is DeepFest, now in its fourth edition, which serves as the region's dedicated AI and deep tech platform. According to Entrepreneur Middle East, DeepFest 2026 will feature companies such as EY, Snowflake, Alteryx, and Xerox, with live demos and applied AI use cases showcased in the immersive Tech Arena. New for 2026 is also GameX Creative, a flagship gaming and esports zone featuring Savvy Games Group, ESL FACEIT Group, and Kojima Productions, as well as an expanded Sports Tech Hub involving the English FA, La Liga, Juventus FC, Atlético Madrid, Tottenham Hotspur FC, and the Aston Martin Formula One Team.
Yes, here's where the LEAP 2026 details get exciting for founders. The LEAP Startup and Scaleup Programme brings together the global startup ecosystem in Riyadh, offering two participation routes: exhibiting on the show floor to pitch and raise visibility, or attending as a Founder to network, hire, and explore opportunities without a physical stand. The centrepiece? The Rocket Fuel Pitch Competition, now in its fifth edition, where 100 selected startups compete for a $1 million equity-free prize fund across multiple award categories. And the investors attending are no small matter either. LEAP's own insights blog confirms that accepted Startup Programme founders get their pitch decks in front of over 2,000 investors representing $22.2 trillion in assets under management and $200 billion in dry powder. Heavyweight firms including PIF, SVC, 500 Global, Rakuten Capital, and 20VC are all expected in attendance.
Here's where the LEAP 2026 information gets a little more nuanced. There are several pass tiers, each designed for a different kind of attendee. According to the official LEAP tickets page, the General Pass was available free during the Early Bird phase (ending 18 January 2026), but for access to lounges, premium content, and enhanced networking, an upgrade is required. The Priority Pass adds lounges, curated networking, private dining, Tech Tours, and onsite perks, while the VIP Pass is designed for senior leaders and dealmakers, adding concierge meeting support, valet service, transfers, and fast-track entry. There are also dedicated Founder and Investor passes (the latter is strictly for qualified investors and requires application approval), as well as verified Student and Media passes. Ticket prices increase in phases, that means the earlier you buy, the more you save. One important note: tickets are non-refundable, though transfers to a colleague may be possible before the event, subject to approval. You can also upgrade from a General to a Priority or VIP pass while tickets remain available.
Ah yes, the question everyone Googles at 11pm the night before they book flights. Most international attendees will require a visa to enter Saudi Arabia. Citizens of more than 60 countries may be eligible for an e-visa or visa on arrival. Travellers who hold a valid and previously used US, UK, or Schengen visa, or permanent residency, may also be eligible. The Saudi tourist e-visa is typically valid for one year, allows multiple entries, and permits stays of up to 90 days per visit. Passports should be valid for at least six months from the date of arrival. Eligibility and applications should be checked directly via the official Visit Saudi portal. The organisers also recommend sorting your visa out well in advance, which is solid advice for anyone who doesn't enjoy airport-based panic.
A few other practical LEAP 2026 details worth knowing: the event is strictly for adults, as LEAP is a professional B2B event and attendees must be 18 or older. LEAP's official hotel booking partner is HotelMap, which provides access to special rates and group booking options. On-site parking is available, but only for Priority Pass holders and above. Oh, and every registered attendee gets access to the LEAP mobile app, with features scaling up depending on your pass type.
Beyond the headline LEAP 2026 details, there are a few notable new additions worth flagging. The Tech Arena, which debuted at LEAP 2025 as the region's first immersive showcase of live, next-generation technology, returns in 2026, bringing robotics, AI, and future-focused prototypes to life with hands-on demos you can actually try rather than just listen to. LEAP Connect is a brand-new networking environment built specifically for structured matchmaking, bringing founders, investors, and C-suite leaders together in a curated setting rather than the usual conference-floor chaos. And for those who can't wait until April, there's LEAP Forward, an exclusive quarterly magazine that carries the spirit of the event into long-form reads between editions.
LEAP is, after all, exactly the kind of arena where exciting new players make their presence known, deals get done, and the next big thing stops being a rumour. With over 200,000 attendees expected and hundreds of companies on the show floor, LEAP 2026 promises to be the right place at exactly the right time, whether you're an investor, a fellow founder, or simply a curious tech-enthusiast.
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LEAP 2026 takes place at the Riyadh Exhibition & Convention Centre, Malham in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
LEAP 2026 takes place from 13-16 April 2026.
LEAP’s programme spans a wide range of technology and innovation themes including artificial intelligence, cloud and data infrastructure, cybersecurity, fintech, health technology, smart cities, climate and energy, space, gaming, sports technology and digital commerce. Full details of themes and tracks are available on the LEAP website.
The full event agenda will be available on the LEAP website ahead of the event.
Yes. A dedicated event mobile app will be available closer to the event.
You can explore the confirmed speaker lineup on the LEAP Speakers page. This will be updated as new speakers are announced. Information on attendees is not published in advance but LEAP brings together senior leaders, founders, investors and policymakers from across the global technology ecosystem.
You can browse the full list of confirmed sponsors and view the exhibitor lineup. The exhibitor directory will be updated as new brands are confirmed, helping you plan who you’d like to connect with during the event.
It’s your chance to connect with founders, investors, and businesses exploring new digital opportunities.
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