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The National
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The National
A guide to the Esports World Cup's Festival: Celebration of gaming and culture in Riyadh
As esports takes centre stage in Saudi Arabia this summer, Boulevard Riyadh City is hosting one of the most ambitious gaming and culture events the world has seen. Spanning more than 50,000 square metres, the Esports World Cup Festival is more than a companion to the ongoing competitive tournaments – it is a curated experience designed to immerse fans of all ages in the world of gaming. From nostalgic zones and cutting-edge simulations to cultural performances and interactive installations, the festival places gaming culture firmly in the spotlight. Speaking to The National at this year's event, Prince Faisal bin Bandar, chairman of the Saudi Esports Federation, says he is particularly proud of the effort that went into expanding the festival experience. 'It gives something to casual gamers and non-gamers alike – a place where people can spend the whole day, not just come to watch a match and leave,' Prince Faisal says. 'We told game developers – don't just bring your esport, bring a showcase of who you are. Let's spotlight the entire experience, not just gameplay.' Open daily from 6pm to 2am, the festival runs alongside the main Esports World Cup competitions, welcoming visitors with a ticketed pass and an invitation to explore the full breadth of modern and retro gaming. A journey through gaming history The festival begins with a nostalgic walk through the decades. The retro gaming zones are among the most visited areas, inviting fans to reconnect with the titles that defined their childhoods. In the 1980s Zone, visitors can play on vintage consoles such as the Atari and original Nintendo Entertainment System, surrounded by cassette tapes, retro televisions and neon decor. Next door, the 1990s Zone celebrates the cartridge era with functional Super Nintendo, Sega Saturn, Dreamcast and PlayStation One consoles, all set within themed displays that highlight gaming's rapid evolution. A wall of 1980s movie posters, a collection of cassette players and classic arcade cabinets – including Street Fighter and NBA Jam – complete the throwback experience. Active play and movement-based gaming One of the more innovative areas of the festival is its focus on physical engagement. The CycloBeat 3.0 installation features four exercise bikes connected to a rhythm-based gaming screen, blending fitness with fun. The Run Beat Challenge uses manual treadmills to simulate game-like races across dynamic environments. The iWall, a motion-sensing screen, encourages full-body play through a selection of digital mini-games – no controller required. Meanwhile, Valo Climb and Valo Arena add augmented reality to the mix. In Valo Climb, players scale a real wall enhanced with digital targets. At Valo Arena, up to six participants compete inside a 360-degree projected environment, using physical gestures and reflexes to win. Casual competitions and esports-lite experiences For those eager to test their skills, the festival includes scaled-down versions of some of the world's biggest esports titles. The Valorant Challenge Range allows visitors to sharpen their aim in a timed shootout, while League of Legends fans can engage in one-on-one duels or Aram mini matches. Leaderboards track top scores, encouraging friendly competition, while fast turn-arounds keep lines moving. The Valvoline SynPower Challenge is a light-hearted mobile racing mini-game, where players steer with tilt controls, avoid potholes and drop virtual oil for speed boosts – a hit with families. Content creators and community interaction At the heart of the festival is the Content Creator Park, where fans can watch their favourite streamers compete live in games such as Fortnite Zero Build, EA Sports FC 25, Rocket League and Codenames. Many creators have travelled from around the world to take part, with interactive meet-and-greets adding to the excitement. Nearby, the Publisher Park and Riot Games Store offer themed merchandise, exclusive collectibles and a Valorant-inspired milkshake bar. Mini games and Teamfight Tactics challenges round out the area. Digital motorsport and car culture Petrolheads will enjoy the Jameel Motorsport Park, where visitors can customise replica car parts – such as spoilers and mirrors – for a daily design competition. Winning entries are displayed throughout the venue. The Aramco Sim Arena brings Formula One action to Riyadh, with a life-size Aston Martin F1 show car and 20 high-end motion simulators that offer an intense, realistic driving experience. These simulators, equipped with full-motion support and immersive sound, are a festival highlight. Puzzle solving and immersive storytelling For those seeking a mental challenge, the HMG Maze Challenge offers a labyrinth of eight rooms, each with its own timed puzzle. Visitors compete in groups to escape the fastest, blending social interaction with cognitive tests. Meanwhile, Eva, a digital storytelling installation, provides a more reflective experience. Exploring themes of artificial intelligence, memory and choice, the exhibit draws visitors into an emotional journey told through an interactive conversation with a sentient machine – all brought to life with atmospheric audio-visual design. Culture, performance and heritage In Japan Park, hosted by anime streaming service Crunchyroll, visitors can witness the Ainu Sword Dance by Daiki Hiramura. Performed on select nights, the dance – inspired by the anime Golden Kamuy – celebrates indigenous Japanese storytelling and tradition. The Aramco History Wall offers a quieter moment, showcasing the company's journey through large-scale installations and archival exhibits that highlight the intersection of technology, innovation and cultural heritage. Watch parties and esports documentaries At the Watch Party Pavilion, fans can gather to watch esports matches live on large screens, with special appearances by streamers including Tyler1, Mixwell, TimTheTatman and Scump. The newly released docuseries, This Machine, filmed on-site during the tournament, is also screening at the venue. Streaming on Amazon Prime, the series provides a rare look into the personal stories of professional players – their challenges, sacrifices and the support networks that power them. Entry, food and services Festival access is available to anyone with a valid Esports World Cup Weekly Pass or individual Esports Stage tickets. The All-Access Pass offers fast-track privileges and a merchandise bundle. Food stalls and cafes are spread throughout the grounds, offering both Saudi and international cuisine. Medical facilities, prayer rooms, rest zones and accessible entrances ensure that all visitors are well accommodated. The Esports World Cup and its accompanying festival run until 24 August at Boulevard Riyadh City
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Grand prizes, big names: 2nd Esports World Cup starts in Riyadh
It's 'game on' in Saudi Arabia: For the next seven weeks, Riyadh's Boulevard City will be a gamer's paradise, as well as home to a festival-style experience for fans. 2000 elite players from 200 clubs and more than 100 countries are here. There's a wide-range of competitions being played - from first-person shooter to mobile multiplayer battle games. Ralf Reichert , Esports World Cup Foundation's CEO told Euronews: "It's the sheer scale that's unheard of. Esports is just at the start of its tenure and it's there to grow to become one of the biggest sports in the world in the next decades." Related Ronaldo, Magnus Carlsen and a $70 million cash pot: Inside the Esports World Cup 2025 For the hosts, Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan, the president of the Saudi Esports Federation shared his enthusiasm with the assembled media: "One of the most spectacular things about gaming is your first initiation to someone, your first meeting of someone, is not who they are as a colour, skin, religion, background, race, gender. It is an avatar in the game and therefore their skill." The Esports World Cup also attracts plenty of star power. Football legend Cristiano Ronaldo is the tournament's official ambassador and American pop star Post Malone headlines the opening ceremony of this giant gaming festival.
Arabian Business
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Arabian Business
Saudi Arabia launches Esports World Cup 2025: 'This is a legacy that is going to last for decades'
Saudi Arabia officially launched the Esports World Cup 2025 at a press conference in Riyadh on Wednesday, setting out an ambitious vision to cement the kingdom as the global centre of competitive gaming. At the event attended by Arabian Business as well as global media, team owners, publishers, and players, Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan, President of the Saudi Esports Federation; Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation; and Faisal bin Homran, Chief Product Officer of the Esports World Cup Foundation, presented plans to expand on the record-breaking achievements of last year and build a sustainable, world-class ecosystem for competitive gaming. A personal reflection: more than just numbers Opening the event, Prince Faisal surprised the room by going 'off script,' delivering a personal and emotional message about the deeper meaning behind the tournament. He shared the story of a close friend of over 30 years who had recently passed away and how gaming had been a cornerstone of their friendship since childhood. 'Recently, I lost a friend of mine who's been a friend of mine for 30-plus years. And I think back on our time together, gaming was a really large part of our time together, about our coming together as friends and our conversations. And that's got me thinking a lot about legacy,' he said. Reflecting on last year's inaugural World Cup, which united 1,500 athletes, hosted 2.6 million visitors, and brought together 24 games under one roof, he called it a historic start, but just that: a beginning. 'We did something amazing in 2024 with the Esports World Cup, we brought together different games under one umbrella, which never happened before. We brought together 1,500 athletes, 2.6 million people visited our location, and it was the start of something big,' he said. He described walking through the festival grounds earlier this week, seeing exhibits featuring consoles from every era of gaming, 'every console I've ever played, every phone I've ever owned,' and being struck by how deeply gaming connects people across generations and cultures. 'We were walking through it yesterday. There's an area that has the history of gaming, literally every console I've ever played in my life, almost every phone I've ever owned in my life. Bringing people together, bringing joy to people's days, and doing something that will last for the next 100 years, not the next five or 10,' he said. Prince Faisal also praised the young Saudi men and women working behind the scenes on the event, calling them 'the real engine behind what we're building', and thanked Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for his vision and support. 'This is a legacy that is going to last for decades. And I want to thank every single one of you, from you in this room today's press, from the athletes, from the team owners, from the friends, families, the casters, the production team, the people cleaning the halls. Every single one of you has a part to play in this legacy. And that cannot be overstated. And I cannot thank you enough,' he said. Scaling up — fast Building on those remarks, Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation, underscored how much the event and the industry has grown in a single year. 'When we started our mission was simple: gather the best players from the world's top clubs competing in the best games for life changing prizes, our mission crowned the world's best club as Esports World Cup champion in a unique cross game format, uniting the global gaming and eSports community in one meaningful moment. Last year showed us what's possible when we put players, fans, clubs, publishers and partners first. This year, we're back and see eSports reshaping our world,' he said. The 2025 World Cup will see 2,000 athletes competing in 24 games across 25 tournaments, representing over 200 clubs from 100 countries, with more than $70 million in prize money. New titles added this year include Fatal Fury, Crossfire, and Chess, highlighted by the presence of chess grandmaster Magnus Carlsen as ambassador for this year's edition, Reichert also highlighted the Foundation's growing partnerships with major publishers such as Riot Games, Activision Blizzard, EA, Tencent, Ubisoft, SNK, Smilegate, and Broadcast reach has expanded significantly: coverage will span over 100 countries, in 30+ languages, with 7,000 hours of live tournament content, supplemented by a documentary series, EWC Spotlight, profiling players and clubs. 'It's not just the games that are growing. The way we reach fans is expanding to making this the biggest broadcast to date, with coverage in 30-plus languages, 100 countries and nearly 100 media partners, from Twitch, Tiktok, Fox and NBC, our athletes achievements will be seen everywhere across the world. We're producing more than 7,000 hours of live tournament content and more than 50 plus hours of our new EWC spotlight storytelling, because eSports matters to millions of fans worldwide, and this extended content allows us to reach far beyond important portfolios,' Reichert added. Building an ecosystem Faisal bin Homran, Chief Officer of the Esports World Cup Foundation, described how the World Cup is supporting the development of a complete eSports ecosystem. 'This is more than just a competition. It's a celebration of how eSports has come and went fully mixed. This year, we have 2,000 players from 200 clubs competing for more than $70 million, but tonight is not about only the stats and the trophies,' he said. 'At the EWC core, are the main four stakeholders, the games, clubs, players, and the best experience with fans. This is our foundation, and it defines who we are and why we are here.' The programme this year had a focus on new markets like India and China. The Road to EWC, a global qualifier series with over 200 stops, ensures that the world's best talent earns its way to Riyadh. He shared the story of last year's underdog champion, who barely qualified in the final round and went on to win the entire tournament – a story that inspired the creation of the Heroes Club, an initiative celebrating such standout players. Aligning with Vision 2030 The World Cup is more than just a sporting event; it is also a strategic driver of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 — the Kingdom's economic and cultural diversification plan. By investing in infrastructure, hosting international tournaments, and nurturing local talent, Saudi Arabia aims to create jobs, boost tourism, and establish itself as a global hub of innovation and culture. 'What excites me most is not the size the event, but how we're building it collaboratively, openly and with a shared purpose, with the support of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and our incredible city, Riyadh, we are creating lasting infrastructure, driving economic growth and building a genuine gaming ecosystem that thrives long after this World Cup ends,' Reichert concluded.
Gulf Business
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Gulf Business
Esports World Cup 2025 starts in Riyadh with record $70m prize pool
Image: Supplied The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) officially launched the 2025 Running from July 10 until August 24, the event features 25 tournaments across 24 leading game titles and brings together more than 2,000 elite players from around the globe, competing for a record-breaking prize pool of over $70m Described by organisers as the biggest esports event ever staged, EWC 2025 introduces a pioneering cross-title 'Club Championship' format. Esports World Cup 2025: Format and prize money The competition sees the world's top 200 esports organisations accumulate points across multiple games to contend for the title of EWC Club Champion and a $7 million grand prize. The wider prize fund also includes $38m for individual game titles, $5m in global qualifier awards, and $450,000 in MVP bonuses. Speaking at the opening press conference, Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan, chairman of the Saudi Esports Federation, said the event represents a 'pivotal moment' for the global esports industry. 'Hosting the EWC reflects our commitment to building a sustainable, world-class esports ecosystem,' he said. 'Esports is no longer niche — it's a global sport and a cultural force. And the Esports World Cup is its most unifying stage. We're honoured to lead this transformation from The EWC is a flagship initiative under Saudi Arabia's broader Vision 2030 and the National Gaming and Esports Strategy, which aims to position the Kingdom as a global hub for gaming and esports. Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation, said this year's tournament will offer unprecedented access and visibility. 'Through global broadcasts, original shows, and documentary storytelling, we're opening doors and sharing esports in new and exciting ways,' he said. 'With record-breaking competition, this summer is special — not just for gamers, but for everyone who joins us.' Global reach and cultural integration The 2025 edition will produce over 7,000 hours of live content, second only to the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics and will be broadcast in 35 languages across 140 countries. Media partners include FOX Sports, DAZN, Eurosport, and South Korea's NAVER, with streaming also available on Twitch, YouTube, and TikTok. EWC Spotlight, a new weekly broadcast produced with IMG, will provide fans with live esports coverage mixed with celebrity interviews and behind-the-scenes access. The show will be hosted from a custom-built studio in Riyadh by Hugh Woozencroft and Rachel Stringer, and will feature more than 60 celebrity guests throughout the season. The EWC's opening ceremony includes performances by Post Malone, Alesso, Tina Guo, and a collaborative debut of the official 2025 Esports World Cup anthem Til My Fingers Bleed by DINO of SEVENTEEN, Duckwrth, and Telle Smith. Global icons and game titles Magnus Carlsen and Cristiano Ronaldo have joined the tournament as Global Ambassadors, with Carlsen also set to compete in the inaugural EWC Chess Tournament from July 29 to 31. Their participation underscores the EWC's ambition to unite traditional sport and esports through shared values of excellence and global community. The seven-week championship includes tournaments in top titles such as League of Legends, Dota 2, Valorant, EA FC 25, Counter-Strike 2, Apex Legends, PUBG MOBILE, Street Fighter 6, Tekken 8, and Starcraft 2. EWC Festival and sponsorships Beyond the competitions, the EWC Festival will transform Riyadh's Boulevard City into a citywide celebration of gaming, with fan activations, concerts, and community tournaments. Major global brands such as Amazon, Aramco, PepsiCo, Lenovo, Sony, Spotify, stc, and Hilton are backing the event as sponsors. Faisal bin Homran, chief product officer at EWCF, described the EWC as a 'new benchmark for what it means to be a champion in the digital age.' 'At its core is a pioneering format that rewards all-around excellence and unlocks long-term value for players, organisations, and communities,' he said. For more information, including a full tournament schedule, visit
The National
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Chairman of Saudi Esports Federation says more parents are encouraging careers in gaming
As Saudi Arabia continues to develop into a global gaming hub, more parents are encouraging of their children pursuing careers in esports, says Saudi Esports Federation chairman, Prince Faisal bin Bandar. Ahead of the Esports World Cup opening ceremony in Riyadh, Prince Faisal, who has also served as the Vice President of the Global Esports Federation since 2021, spoke at a press conference not only about the future of the event, but also its broader impact on future generations. 'These champions became role models. They paved the way for the next wave of talent and proved this is a real profession," he says, referencing the inaugural event that took place in the capital in 2024. Since the founding of Saudi Esports Federation in 2018, attitudes have shifted as a result of better educating both players and the public that gaming can be more than just a hobby, he adds. 'The biggest step was inviting parents, friends and families to our events ... To watch their sons, daughters, brothers or sisters on the main stage, in front of cheering crowds, doing what they do best – something only one per cent of the world's top gamers can do," he adds. As they embark on the second Esports World Cup in the capital, Prince Faisal tells The National about the lessons learned from producing and hosting the first event. As a result, this year, there has been an improvement in the design of arenas where matches are held, enhanced production standards and even rethinking the placement of the servers. 'For example, the players were too cold while the servers were overheating,' Prince Faisal says. Last year, the tournament became the largest competition for professional gamers globally. It was a massive success, as evident from the numbers it registered – 500 million individual viewers, 250 million hours watched and 2.6 million people attended in person. But its success didn't mean the team were complacent this time around: 'One of the main things – and I always tell this to my team – is that after every tournament, they ask me, 'Are you happy?' And I always say that 'happy' is a difficult word for me,' he says. 'Happy would mean that everything we planned happened exactly the way we envisioned. That never happens.' This year, the event has grown in several ways. The number of games played at the competition will increase from 22 to 24, and the tournament prize pool will rise from $60 million to $70 million. Yet, the biggest addition this year is the fan festival. There, visitors can expect to compete in miniature tournaments, meet celebrities and influencers from the gaming world and enjoy a museum dedicated to the history of gaming. 'It will give something to casual gamers and non-gamers alike – a place where people could spend the whole day, not just come to watch a match and leave. We told game developers – don't just bring your esport, bring a showcase of who you are. Let's spotlight the entire experience, not just gameplay," Prince Faisal says. Although two games were added for 2025, Prince Faisal says that while he is keen to keep an eye on games growing in popularity, he remains wary that it's not a strategy they can lean on every year. 'There are only so many games that can truly be considered esports,' he says. 'Eventually, we'll hit a saturation point where we simply can't add more games.' The same rings true for the prize pool. Even with the highest prize pool in the world of esports, the prince says they will eventually hit a limit. He explains, 'But that doesn't mean we stop pushing forward. When we reach that ceiling, we shift our focus to production, the fan experience, the festival.' 'Where we can't grow in quantity, we grow in quality – making the experience better for the fans, viewers and players every year.' An avid gamer himself, Prince Faisal says he tries to play every game competing at the Esports World Cup. 'I wouldn't say I'm good at all of them ... But I play enough to understand them and have meaningful conversations with the players," before adding that having another reason to game is the "best part of my job."
