By Rafiq Vayani
DUBAI: Gladiator Summit III returns to Dubai on January 10th, 2026, bringing together some of the world’s most influential voices in leadership, personal growth and transformation for a one-day immersive edutainment experience. Taking place from 9:00am to 7:00pm at Bluewaters Forum by Banyan Tree, Bluewaters Island, Gladiator Summit III is designed to educate, inspire and entertain, empowering individuals to unlock their full potential and achieve meaningful growth. Attendance for this exclusive edition is limited to 600 guests, making it the most intimate Gladiator Summit to date.
Founded and hosted by renowned entrepreneur and business strategist Dariush Soudi, Gladiator Summit has quickly established itself as Dubai’s arena for vision, leadership and transformation. More than a seminar, the summit blends high-impact learning with entertainment, connection and real-world insight from globally respected speakers.
This year’s headline speakers include:
- Yaya DaCosta, American actress and model best known for her portrayal of Whitney Houston in Whitney, and for roles across Netflix, NBC and Lifetime. Beyond the screen, DaCosta is a speaker and creative force focused on empowering narratives for women, culture and conscious living.
- Sean Kanan, Emmy Award-winning actor, producer, bestselling author and TEDx speaker, internationally recognised for his breakout role in The Karate Kid Part III and his long-running success in television. Kanan is widely respected for his work on reinvention, resilience and excellence.
- Billy Ray Taylor, global keynote speaker, author and Founder & CEO of LinkedXL, a consulting and software company helping organisations achieve record-breaking results through leadership alignment and strategic execution.
Alongside these speakers, Gladiator Summit III will feature more than 20 globally renowned entrepreneurs, visionaries and leaders, each sharing their journeys, insights and hard-earned lessons with an international audience. Following the summit, guests are invited to an exclusive after-party hosted by world-renowned artist Arash, running from 9:00pm to 11:00pm. Tickets for the after-party are available via the official Gladiator Summit website.
Reflecting on the upcoming edition, founder Dariush Soudi said, “Gladiator Summit was created to challenge people to step out of their comfort zones and into their full potential. This isn’t about motivation for a moment. It’s about transformation that lasts.”
The Gladiator Summit series has seen remarkable growth since its launch. Gladiator Summit I debuted in April 2024 as a sold-out event with 14 global speakers and 500 attendees. Gladiator Summit II followed in November 2024 as a fully sold-out, two-day experience welcoming 27 speakers and 2,500 attendees from around the world. Now entering its third edition, Gladiator Summit continues to raise the bar, offering a powerful platform where learning meets entertainment and ambition meets action.
For more details, visit www.gladiatorsummit.com.
