Explorers World Ventures, a Malaysian-based tourism and events company dedicated to promoting Asia’s diverse culture and lifestyle through creative experiences, officially announced the Asian Youth Festival 2026 at its grand launch ceremony and press conference held at Saloma Kuala Lumpur.
The event was officiated by Deputy Minister for Tourism, Arts & Culture Malaysia (MOTAC) Chiew Choon Man. Also in attendance was Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VMY2026) Head of Secretariat Tuan Mohd Akbal Setia, representatives of MOTAC and Tourism Malaysia, various dignitaries, celebrity guests, key partners & collaborators and esteemed members of the media.
“We are proud that the private sector has come on board to support Visit Malaysia Year 2026 with such an elaborate and highly engaging festival programme,” expressed Deputy Minister Tuan Chiew Choon Man during his keynote address.
“We believe the Asian Youth Festival, with its extensive, thrilling and diverse youth engagement programme, will be a boost to the tourism sector this year,” he said.
"Malaysia’s tourism sector continues to demonstrate strong momentum. Building on the encouraging recovery and growth of recent years, our nation has confidently set its sights on welcoming approximately 47 million international visitors by 2026, positioning Malaysia once again as one of Asia’s most dynamic and attractive tourism destinations."
The Asian Youth Festival is officially supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MOTAC) in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2026. It will be held at the Mines International Exhibition & Convention Centre (MIECC) in Sungai Besi, from 10th to 12th July 2026.
The large-scale multi-vertical event aims to unite Asian youth under one festival that promotes creativity, inclusivity and regional friendship, with the hope of inspiring the next generation to lead with passion, innovation, and cultural pride.
The festival also aims to create a vibrant platform that connects youths from diverse Asian nations through shared experiences and showcases the best of Asian culture — from food and fashion to entertainment and digital innovation, while boosting youth tourism in support of Visit Malaysia Year 2026 by positioning Malaysia as the cultural hub of Asia.
The festival welcome address was presented by festival co-founders Chris Avinash and Marina Mohammed.
“Asian Youth Festival 2026 is more than an event — it’s a platform where creativity, innovation, and culture converge,” said Chris.
“AYF 2026 is a festival designed by the youth for the youth, where everyone will be able to experience the heartbeat of Asia’s culture — where rhythm, ideas, and energy collide,” he continued.
Meanwhile, Marina added that they aim to ensure the Asian Youth Festival in KL will be an annual affair.
"We have full belief that this event will be an affair that will attract many young and old fans for the festival. It promises to be a vibrant affair that will appeal to people from all walks of life.
“From day to night, AYF 2026 transforms its venue into a living hub of creativity, culture, and collaboration. The three-day festival, which will feature leadership talks, live stages, pop-up booths, international guests, tournaments, food showcases, and a shared spirit that defines what it means to be young in Asia today,” added Marina.
Festival-goers will get to meet and unite with thousands of young creators, innovators, performers, and adventurers from across Asia at the most vibrant youth gathering of the year!
Seven major zones will be created to celebrate the youth at the festival in an area that is in excess of 1.2 million sq ft.
These exciting and engaging zones and the general event programme were presented by a panel of key youth personalities representing their areas of specialty during the launch event. They are as follows:
Music Concerts
Festival goers will enjoy a variety of live acts made up of rising stars and headline performers across Asia, from Pop, Rock, Traditional Fusion, and Hip-Hop. EDM, Indie & K-Pop.
e-Sports Arena
E-Sports enthusiasts will get to compete or cheer on teams in thrilling Mobile Legends battles with huge prizes and electrifying games awaiting all.
ACG & TCG Zone
ACG fans will get to participate in cosplay competitions, collector zones, trading card tournaments, and fan meet-ups. It is your pop-culture playground!
Fashion Street
Fashion-centric festival-goers will discover fresh streetwear, young or student designers, and style showcases that celebrate creativity and expression.
Asian Food Village
All attendees will savour and explore authentic and fusion flavours from across Asia with 10 themed streets of delicious discoveries. After all, Asians do love to eat.
Youth Engagement Zone
Visitors will also be able to appreciate and enjoy interactive talks, workshops, and future-focused sessions on leadership, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
Pickleball Tournament
Festival goers will also be able join or watch the exciting Asian Pickleball Challenge with attractive prizes and friendly competition for all.
Explorers World Ventures
Explorers World Ventures brings with it a strong tourism ecosystem vision, backed by extensive regional B2B networks, destination partnerships, inbound tourism development strategies, and a long-term commitment to positioning Malaysia as a global tourism hub through innovation, digital platforms, and destination packaging.
Memories Entertainment
Memories Entertainment contributes deep experience in large-scale event production, entertainment programming, talent management, creative direction, and live event execution, ensuring that the Asian Youth Festival is delivered to international standards of quality, professionalism, and experience design.
