Asian Youth Festival 2026 Officially Launched, Set to Unite Asia’s Youth in a Landmark Cultural Celebration
Kuala Lumpur, Wednesday, 28 January 2026 — Explorers World Ventures Sdn Bhd, a Malaysian-based tourism and events company committed to showcasing Asia’s vibrant culture and lifestyle through immersive experiences, today officially announced the Asian Youth Festival 2026 (AYF 2026) at a grand launch ceremony and press conference held at Saloma Kuala Lumpur.
The highly anticipated announcement was officiated by the Honourable Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia (MOTAC), YB Tuan Chiew Choon Man, and attended by Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VMY2026) Head of Secretariat, Tuan Mohd Akbal Setia, alongside representatives from MOTAC and Tourism Malaysia, distinguished guests, celebrity personalities, strategic partners, collaborators, and members of the media.
In his keynote address, YB Tuan Chiew Choon Man expressed strong support for the initiative, highlighting the important role of private sector collaboration in driving tourism growth.
“We are proud that the private sector has stepped forward to support Visit Malaysia Year 2026 with such a comprehensive and engaging festival programme,” he said.
“The Asian Youth Festival, with its dynamic and diverse youth-focused activities, will undoubtedly provide a significant boost to Malaysia’s tourism sector this year.”
Officially supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2026, the Asian Youth Festival 2026 will take place from 10 to 12 July 2026 at the Mines International Exhibition & Convention Centre (MIECC), Sungai Besi.
A Celebration of Youth, Creativity and Asian Identity
Designed as a large-scale, multi-vertical festival spanning over 1.2 million square feet, AYF 2026 aims to unite young people from across Asia under one vibrant platform that celebrates creativity, inclusivity, innovation, and regional friendship. The festival aspires to inspire the next generation of Asian leaders to embrace cultural pride while shaping the future through collaboration and creativity.
Beyond entertainment, AYF 2026 seeks to position Malaysia as the cultural hub of Asia, strengthening youth tourism and contributing meaningfully to the objectives of Visit Malaysia Year 2026 by showcasing the richness of Asian culture — from food and fashion to music, technology, and digital innovation.
The festival welcome address was delivered by AYF 2026 co-founders Chris Avinash and Marina Mohammed, who shared their vision for the landmark event.
“Asian Youth Festival 2026 is more than just an event — it is a platform where creativity, innovation, and culture converge,” said Chris Avinash.
“Designed by youth, for youth, AYF 2026 captures the heartbeat of Asia, where rhythm, ideas, and energy collide.”
Marina Mohammed added that the three-day festival will transform its venue into a dynamic ecosystem of creativity and collaboration.
“From day to night, AYF 2026 will come alive with live performances, pop-up showcases, international guests, competitions, food experiences, and a shared spirit that truly reflects what it means to be young in Asia today.”
Festival-goers can expect to connect with thousands of young creators, innovators, performers, and adventurers from across the region, making AYF 2026 one of the most vibrant youth gatherings of the year.
Seven Signature Zones Anchoring AYF 2026
AYF 2026 will feature seven major themed zones, each curated to celebrate different facets of youth culture and interests. The programme and zones were introduced during the launch by a panel of youth representatives and industry personalities.
Music Concerts
A dynamic lineup of rising stars and headline performers from across Asia, featuring genres such as Pop, Rock, Traditional Fusion, Hip-Hop, EDM, Indie, and K-Pop.
E-Sports Arena
An electrifying competitive space for gamers, headlined by intense Mobile Legends tournaments with attractive prizes and high-energy matches.
ACG & TCG Zone
A pop-culture haven for Anime, Comics, and Gaming fans, featuring cosplay competitions, collector showcases, trading card tournaments, and community meet-ups.
Fashion Street
A creative platform spotlighting streetwear brands, emerging designers, student collections, and fashion showcases celebrating self-expression and individuality.
Asian Food Village
A culinary journey across Asia with 10 themed food streets, offering authentic and fusion flavours that reflect Asia’s rich food heritage — because food is at the heart of Asian culture.
Youth Engagement Zone
Interactive talks, workshops, and future-focused sessions centred on leadership, innovation, entrepreneurship, and personal development.
Pickleball Tournament
The Asian Pickleball Challenge, offering friendly competition, exciting matches, and attractive prizes for participants and spectators alike.
Strategic Collaboration for a World-Class Festival
The Asian Youth Festival is presented by Explorers World Ventures as the festival owner and strategic tourism platform, in collaboration with Memories Entertainment as the official festival partner and production collaborator.
With a strong vision for tourism development, Explorers World Ventures brings extensive regional B2B networks, destination partnerships, inbound tourism strategies, and a long-term commitment to positioning Malaysia as a global tourism hub through innovation and digital destination packaging.
Meanwhile, Memories Entertainment contributes its expertise in large-scale event production, entertainment programming, talent management, creative direction, and live event execution, ensuring AYF 2026 meets international standards of quality, professionalism, and immersive experience design.
Together, both organisations aim to establish the Asian Youth Festival as a signature annual event — not only for youth, but also for those who are young at heart.
More details on the Asian Youth Festival 2026 will be announced in the coming months.
Festival Information
Website: https://www.asianyouthfestival.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61587327682425
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asianyouthfestival/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@asianyouthfestival
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