Latest news with #EmiratesEsportsFederation
Zawya
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Zawya
World Phygital Community welcomes 100th member, accelerating the growth of phygital sports worldwide
DUBAI, UAE: The World Phygital Community (WPC), the only official global network of phygital organizations, has officially welcomed the UAE as its 100th member. This milestone comes just one year after the founding of the WPC and underscores the growing global interest and momentum surrounding the phygital sports movement. Under the banner of the UAE, the announcement of the Emirates Esports Federation as the 100th member comes at a pivotal time, following the recent conclusion of the Phygital Contenders: Abu Dhabi - Football tournament and with the Games of the Future 2025 on the horizon, which will see clubs and phygital athletes compete for a share of a $5 million prize pool across 11 official disciplines. In just its first year of operations, the World Phygital Community has expanded its reach to encompass all corners of the globe, including the recent addition of other members from Germany, Saudi Arabia, Lesotho as well as Malawi and Sierra Leone. This rapid growth is a testament to the unstoppable global popularity of phygital sports, the innovative new sports format that combines physical and digital competition in ways that engage athletes, fans, and entire communities. His Excellency Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, UAE Minister of Sports said: ' The UAE's membership of the World Phygital Community reflects our wider, steadfast commitment to embracing innovation in both technology and sport, and our ambition to be part of the driving force that is shaping a new era of sports. As we prepare to welcome athletes and fans from around the world to Abu Dhabi this December for the Games of the Future 2025, we are honoured to be the 100th member of this forward-looking community and be part of the exciting future of phygital sports.' His Excellency Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa bin Sultan bin Shakhbout Al Nahyan, President of the Emirates Esports Federation said: " The Emirates Esports Federation is proud to join the World Phygital Community as its 100th member, an especially meaningful milestone considering the Games of the Future is coming to Abu Dhabi later this year. It's an honor to be part of this growing global movement and to support the rise of phygital sport in the region. We look forward to contributing to the community and being part of this next chapter for international competition." Dan Merkley, Chairperson and Managing Director of the World Phygital Community said: ' Reaching 100 members is a significant milestone for our World Phygital Community as well as the wider phygital movement. It's incredible that in one year, we've achieved such fast and enthusiastic uptake from around the world – far exceeding our hopes and expectations. We are delighted to welcome the Emirates Esports Federation as our 100th member, joining at a time where phygital sports popularity in the UAE is exploding and the Games of the Future 2025 in Abu Dhabi is just around the corner.' Looking ahead, the World Phygital Community is setting its sights on reaching 180 members by 2030, reflecting the growing global interest in phygital sports and the community's commitment to broadening its reach. The WPC's rapidly expanding network now spans six continents, with organizations in 100 partner countries including 31 countries in Asia, 27 in Africa, 23 in Europe, 10 in South America, eight in North America, and one in Australia. As the community continues to grow, it remains committed to fostering innovation and ensuring that phygital sports play a key role in shaping the future of global athletics and entertainment. About the World Phygital Community (WPC): The World Phygital Community (WPC) is a non-profit, international organization that aims to promote phygital sport worldwide by uniting physical and digital members globally. It is responsible for providing guardianship of the rules and regulations of phygital sport and hosting ranking tournaments for the Games of the Future: For further information please contact: press@ About the Games of the Future (GOTF): The Games of the Future is an annual international event that fuses the worlds of physical and digital and is the pinnacle of phygital sport. The tournament brings together the next generation of phygital sporting heroes from all over the world to compete in a diverse range of phygital disciplines and challenges. The Games of the Future 2025 will be held in the Abu Dhabi, while the Games of the Future 2026 will be held in Astana, Kazakhstan. For more information please visit:
Mid East Info
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Mid East Info
Top 5 games and tournaments driving regional eSports growth - Middle East Business News and Information
The MENA region is home to 377 million gamers, nearly half the region's population. Governments across the GCC are pouring billions into national strategies to position gaming and esports as key growth sectors, with Saudi Arabia alone targeting a US$13.3 billion economic impact. In this context, MENATech Entertainment (a GGTech company) is leading this charge through a mix of competitive tournaments, collegiate engagement, and immersive gaming platforms. Here are five of MENATech's most impactful projects in the MENA region that highlight the breadth and ambition of its work: GAMERGY MENA, Cairo, Egypt MENATech's debut of GAMERGY in Cairo marked the largest regional event of its kind, drawing over 40,000 attendees over three days. Egypt's 40 million-strong gaming community, including 7 million esports competitors, found a new home in a festival that combined high-stakes tournaments with influencer activations and live entertainment. The event featured top-tier competitions across Valorant, PUBG Mobile, League of Legends (LoL), and Rocket League, with winners sharing a prize pool of over EGP 2 million. With backing from the Egyptian Ministry of Youth & Sports, IMKAN Misr, Samsung, and Red Bull, GAMERGY MENA set a new standard for what large-scale esports events in the region could look like. UNIVERSITY Esports Masters UNIVERSITY Esports Masters, the leading esports project for students in the MENA region, was a talent discovery engine. Over 1,300 students from 50+ universities competed for USD 12,500 in prizes. Kamikaze UAE and PifthePaf took home titles in LoL and VALORANT, respectively, advancing to MENA finals. Through in-person campus tours, career talks, and workshops, MENATech connected students with real career pathways in broadcasting, event production, and digital marketing, turning competitive gaming into a launchpad for the future. Emirates Esports Federation Partnership The 2024 edition of the UNIVERSITY Esports Masters tournament took the collegiate model regional. MENATech partnered with the Emirates Esports Federation, a government-established body dedicated to advancing esports in the UAE by coordinating local activities and representing the country internationally. The collaboration gave university students a platform that extended beyond national borders, positioning esports as a driver of both competition and community across MENA. Featuring top university teams from the UAE, KSA, Egypt, and Morocco, it showcased high-calibre gameplay and the power of cross-border collaboration. AppGallery Gamers Cup Qatar GGTech and Huawei Mobile Services MENA organized the AppGallery Gamers Cup Qatar, a high-impact, action-packed PUBG MOBILE tournament culminating in a LAN final in Doha in December 2024. Held under the guidance of the Qatar Esports Federation, the event featured a single-elimination format with intense online qualifiers. The top four teams advanced to the in-person finals, competing for a total prize pool of $20,000. GGTech Studios and Crema expanded the beloved Temtem universe with Temtem: Swarm, a twin-stick shooter roguelite that introduced fast-paced multiplayer action to the franchise. The game exceeded 100,000 units sold and continued to evolve with regular updates, including 2025's Omninesia Overrun patch, which added new content and gameplay mechanics, and the Endless Inferno patch that added a challenging map, new Temtem, co-op features, new gear, techniques and in-game achievements, and gameplay modes like Endless Mode and Hasty Mode. This project cemented GGTech's depth as a game developer capable of bringing IPs to life for a global player base. Powering the Region's Gaming Evolution The MENA region is entering a golden age of gaming, driven by youth demographics, mobile-first adoption, and state-backed investment. With national plans to develop 30+ competitive games in Saudi Arabia and position Dubai among the world's top 10 gaming hubs by 2033, the opportunity is enormous. MENATech Entertainment is helping to define this momentum. Whether it's bringing 40,000 fans together in Cairo, launching new IPs, or embedding career pathways in university tournaments, the company is building the foundation for a globally relevant, regionally rooted esports future.
Web Release
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Web Release
Top 5 games and tournaments driving regional eSports growth
The MENA region is home to 377 million gamers, nearly half the region's population. Governments across the GCC are pouring billions into national strategies to position gaming and esports as key growth sectors, with Saudi Arabia alone targeting a US$13.3 billion economic impact. In this context, MENATech Entertainment (a GGTech company) is leading this charge through a mix of competitive tournaments, collegiate engagement, and immersive gaming platforms. Here are five of MENATech's most impactful projects in the MENA region that highlight the breadth and ambition of its work: 1. GAMERGY MENA, Cairo, Egypt MENATech's debut of GAMERGY in Cairo marked the largest regional event of its kind, drawing over 40,000 attendees over three days. Egypt's 40 million-strong gaming community, including 7 million esports competitors, found a new home in a festival that combined high-stakes tournaments with influencer activations and live entertainment. The event featured top-tier competitions across Valorant, PUBG Mobile, League of Legends (LoL), and Rocket League, with winners sharing a prize pool of over EGP 2 million. With backing from the Egyptian Ministry of Youth & Sports, IMKAN Misr, Samsung, and Red Bull, GAMERGY MENA set a new standard for what large-scale esports events in the region could look like. 2. UNIVERSITY Esports Masters UNIVERSITY Esports Masters, the leading esports project for students in the MENA region, was a talent discovery engine. Over 1,300 students from 50+ universities competed for USD 12,500 in prizes. Kamikaze UAE and PifthePaf took home titles in LoL and VALORANT, respectively, advancing to MENA finals. Through in-person campus tours, career talks, and workshops, MENATech connected students with real career pathways in broadcasting, event production, and digital marketing, turning competitive gaming into a launchpad for the future. 3. Emirates Esports Federation Partnership The 2024 edition of the UNIVERSITY Esports Masters tournament took the collegiate model regional. MENATech partnered with the Emirates Esports Federation, a government-established body dedicated to advancing esports in the UAE by coordinating local activities and representing the country internationally. The collaboration gave university students a platform that extended beyond national borders, positioning esports as a driver of both competition and community across MENA. Featuring top university teams from the UAE, KSA, Egypt, and Morocco, it showcased high-calibre gameplay and the power of cross-border collaboration. 4. AppGallery Gamers Cup Qatar GGTech and Huawei Mobile Services MENA organized the AppGallery Gamers Cup Qatar, a high-impact, action-packed PUBG MOBILE tournament culminating in a LAN final in Doha in December 2024. Held under the guidance of the Qatar Esports Federation, the event featured a single-elimination format with intense online qualifiers. The top four teams advanced to the in-person finals, competing for a total prize pool of $20,000. 5. Temtem: Swarm GGTech Studios and Crema expanded the beloved Temtem universe with Temtem: Swarm, a twin-stick shooter roguelite that introduced fast-paced multiplayer action to the franchise. The game exceeded 100,000 units sold and continued to evolve with regular updates, including 2025's Omninesia Overrun patch, which added new content and gameplay mechanics, and the Endless Inferno patch that added a challenging map, new Temtem, co-op features, new gear, techniques and in-game achievements, and gameplay modes like Endless Mode and Hasty Mode. This project cemented GGTech's depth as a game developer capable of bringing IPs to life for a global player base. Powering the Region's Gaming Evolution The MENA region is entering a golden age of gaming, driven by youth demographics, mobile-first adoption, and state-backed investment. With national plans to develop 30+ competitive games in Saudi Arabia and position Dubai among the world's top 10 gaming hubs by 2033, the opportunity is enormous. MENATech Entertainment is helping to define this momentum. Whether it's bringing 40,000 fans together in Cairo, launching new IPs, or embedding career pathways in university tournaments, the company is building the foundation for a globally relevant, regionally rooted esports future.
Sharjah 24
24-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Sharjah 24
"Click" event: Entertainment and creativity in Sharjah
In a unique experience combining entertainment, creativity, and innovation, the Rubu' Qarn Centre for Science and Technology is launching the "Click" event to bring a smile to the faces of video game enthusiasts of all ages. This event will be held at the Rubu' Qarn Centre for Science and Technology on August 2 and 3, 2025, from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Challenge enthusiasts over the age of fifteen are invited to participate. Classic games 'Click' is a vibrant interactive platform that celebrates the world of video games through a series of diverse corners that cater to a variety of interests. Visitors begin their journey at the Classic Games Corner, where arcade machines and screens take them back to the beginnings of gaming. Interactive games The Interactive Games Corner offers the opportunity to participate in exciting tournaments in various games, such as FIFA and Super Smash Bros., open to both men and women, in a competitive environment. Creative experiences Creative Experiences Corner is open to creatives who can learn game design, build escape rooms, and decorate desserts inspired by electronic characters. The corner includes technical workshops such as "Programme and Design Your Mini-Game," "Design Your Digital Worlds," and "Programme and Design Your Classic Game," using game design and construction software such as Unreal Engine. Inspirational sessions In the Inspirational Sessions Corner, a group of experts share their experiences in twice-daily dialogue sessions. The sessions cover diverse topics such as the job market in the video game industry, art and innovation in game design, the role of the Emirates Esports Federation in national development, and the challenges and achievements in the field of esports. Artists' corner The event also hosts the "Artists' Corner," where local creators showcase their artwork and gaming-inspired products, giving visitors the opportunity to own unique pieces that express their passion. 'Click' is one of the youth initiatives organised by the Rubu' Qarn Centre for Science and Technology to enhance the creative and technical skills of young people, opening new horizons for them to explore the future of video games and the educational and entertainment opportunities they offer.
Filipino Times
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Filipino Times
HUAWEI AppGallery Gamers Cup returns to Ras Al Khaimah in an action-packed Esports Carnival
The HUAWEI AppGallery Gamers Cup has made a spectacular return to Ras Al Khaimah with the action-packed Esports Carnival 2025 held on 2nd & 3rd May at the Radisson Resort Al Marjan Island. Organized under the guidance of the Emirates Esports Federation (EESF) and in partnership with Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority (RAKTDA), the two-day event delivered a spectacular showcase of mobile Esports, reaffirming Ras Al Khaimah's position at the forefront of the Middle East's fast-growing Esports scene. Building on the success of its 2024 edition, this year's event delivered a bigger and better platform, attracting a record number of gamers, tech enthusiasts, and esports professionals from across the region. A standout addition this year was the collaboration with Jetour, whose sleek and innovative vehicles were on full display at the venue entrance, adding a dynamic lifestyle element to the experience. Additionaly, LikeCard, was a key sponsor of the event, whose generous support was instrumental in powering the tournament's success. Providing seamless hospitality, the newly opened Rove Al Marjan Island hosted participants, ensuring their comfort and convenience throughout the weekend. Together, these partnerships played a vital role in creating a world-class atmosphere that seamlessly blended competition, innovation, and lifestyle. The tournament featured a thrilling two days packed with competitions across the most popular two esports games on the main-stage; with PUBG MOBILE on Day 1 and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) on Day 2 with AXE MENA esports team emerging as the champion. The teams participating underwent a challenging two weeks of online qualifiers across a 100+ players competing for the top 4 seed placements for the final event to stand a chance in becoming the champion teams to win the AED 300,000 prize-pool. In addition to the Main-Stage esports events, gaming booths for the top casual mobile games were set together with their respective prizes, in which passionate players participated in mini-tournament elimination brackets with the top 5 in each booth receiving massive prizes from HUAWEI AppGallery that totaled to an approximate of 600 on-site participants! The game booths included top mobile game titles including, King's – Candy Crush Saga, Yalla Group's – Yalla Jackaroo, Gameloft's – Asphalt Legends Unite, and Golf Clash. The tournament formats for the casual games included leaderboards across all booths. The leaderboard for Candy Crush Saga was determined by racing through completing a fixed amount of levels within a time limit with the players that completed the stages in the fastest time with the highest combo score getting the top winning placements. Yalla Jackaroo competed in classic Jackaroo 2v2 format games with the best players eliminating all the enemy teams to reach to the top team number 1 spot. Asphalt Legends Unite participants played in an elimination bracket of 4 racers competing against each other in each race with the top place racers of each match competing against each other in the final race that determined their placements. For Golf enthusiasts, the elimination bracket included 1v1 matches where the winner qualified for the next stages after defeating their opponent. A key highlight of the event was the official launch of the AppGallery Gamers Cup – Emirates Women's Championship on May 2nd, a joint initiative with the Emirates Esports Federation to promote the representation of female gamers and foster innovation in women's esports. During the conference, industry leaders, prominent female gamers, and media representatives participated in an engaging discussion titled 'Breaking Barriers: Women in Esports', highlighting the importance of inclusivity in the gaming community. This event also provided an excellent opportunity for one-on-one interviews, Q&A sessions, and extensive media engagement. Adding a vibrant creative dimension to the event, the GoPaint activation brought together art and gaming in a dynamic fusion of culture and technology, where 60 young artists participated in digital painting sessions using Huawei tablets, and expressed their passion through digital art. Raki Phillips, CEO of Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority said, 'We are incredibly proud to continue supporting events that speak to the interests of next-generation visitors and residents. Hosting events like the HUAWEI AppGallery Gamers Cup is a prime example of how we are embracing innovation to diversify our tourism offerings and support the intersection of technology, entertainment, and culture. Esports today are much more than just entertainment, they are a platform for talent development, inclusion, and community engagement.' EESF General Secretary, Mr. Saeed Al Tahir added: 'At the Emirates Esports Federation, we are proud to witness the growing impact of esports as a force for innovation, inclusion, and economic opportunity across the UAE. Collaborations like the AppGallery Gamers Cup – Ras Al Khaimah Esports Carnival reflect our commitment to building a vibrant and sustainable esports ecosystem that nurtures talent, celebrates diversity, and positions the UAE as a global hub for digital culture.' William Hu, Managing Director of Huawei Consumer Business Group for the Middle East and Africa, reflected on the success of the event, stating, 'The AppGallery Gamers Cup – Ras Al Khaimah Esports Carnival 2025 aligns perfectly with Ras Al Khaimah's ambitious vision to lead in Esports and gaming initiatives. We are honored to support Ras Al Khaimah's ambition by creating a platform where gamers can showcase their skills, driven by the vibrant community spirit, innovation, and enthusiasm that are shaping the region's Esports future.' The success of the AppGallery Gamers Cup – Ras Al Khaimah Esports Carnival 2025 highlights HUAWEI AppGallery's ongoing commitment to nurturing a thriving mobile Esports ecosystem across the region. As a key milestone for the UAE's Esports sector, the event reflects the accelerating growth and professionalization of the industry throughout the Middle East and Africa.
