The Asian Youth Festival 2026 (AYF 2026) has officially launched, positioning Malaysia as a major meeting point for youth culture across Asia. Announced at Saloma Kuala Lumpur, the three-day festival supports Visit Malaysia Year 2026 while spotlighting music, gaming, fashion and food through a youth-first lens.
Designed as more than just an event, AYF 2026 celebrates young people as active creators shaping Asia’s cultural landscape today. The festival blends creativity, competition and connection, reflecting how youth across the region come together through shared passions.
The festival is a joint venture between Explorers World Ventures Sdn Bhd and Memories Entertainment Sdn Bhd, a Malaysian homegrown creative and experiential company behind major platforms such as the SEA Games 2017 and the ASEAN Summit 2025. The collaboration brings together strong tourism networks and large-scale event expertise to deliver a lifestyle-driven festival experience. The launch was officiated by the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia (MOTAC), Yang Berhormat Chiew Choon Man, alongside representatives from Tourism Malaysia, ambassadors, partners and media.
“We are proud to see the private sector come together to support Visit Malaysia Year 2026 through a festival that is creative, inclusive and youth-driven,” said Yang Berhormat Chiew Choon Man. He added that the Asian Youth Festival would help position Malaysia as a vibrant cultural destination for young travellers across Asia.
“The Asian Youth Festival, with its extensive and dynamic youth engagement programme, will contribute positively to tourism growth and position Malaysia as a vibrant cultural destination for young travellers across Asia. By uniting youth through shared passions, whether in sports, music or digital culture, we are planting the seeds for long-term regional friendship and economic exchange,” he said.
Taking place from 10th to 12th July 2026 at the Mines International Exhibition and Convention Centre (MIECC), AYF 2026 is expected to draw thousands of participants from across the region. “For three days in July, Malaysia will become the meeting point where Asian youth come together not as audiences, but as participants, creators and collaborators,” said Festival Co-Founder Chris Kumar.
Built around the ‘Celebrate the Youth’ philosophy, AYF 2026 focuses on expression, competition, connection, exploration and access. The festival aims to create an inclusive space where youth voices, identities and creativity take centre stage.
“For more than 40 years, Memories has remained a proudly Made-in-Malaysia brand. This is why we championed the ‘Pop-In’ concept, which positions Malaysia as the ultimate destination for connection, excitement and opportunity,” said Festival Co-Founder and Originator of the Rainforest Youth Summit, Marina Abdullah.
Spanning over 100,000 square feet, AYF 2026 will feature seven lifestyle zones, including live music concerts, an esports arena with Mobile Legends tournaments, an ACG and TCG zone, Fashion Street, an Asian Food Village, Youth Conversations and a Pickleball Tournament.
Blending contemporary youth culture with Malaysia’s signature warmth, AYF 2026 invites the region to ‘Pop-In’ and experience the pulse of Asian youth lifestyle firsthand. Full programme details and line-ups will be announced soon.
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