Latest news with #competitivegaming
Arab News
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
KSA is reshaping the global esports industry
For the second year in a row, Saudi Arabia is taking center stage in the global electronic sports landscape by hosting the Esports World Cup. The championship, held in Riyadh, is running for seven weeks, from July 7 to Aug. 24. It has brought together more than 2,000 elite players representing 100 countries, alongside 200 international teams. With millions of fans expected to tune in worldwide, the championship highlights Saudi Arabia's growing influence in the global gaming industry and its ambition to become a premier hub for competitive esports. This year's tournament marks another major milestone in Saudi Arabia's push to become a world-leading force in competitive gaming and digital entertainment, thanks to the event's exceptional organization and the unprecedented prize pool — the largest in the competition's history, amounting to $70 million. With world-class infrastructure, major titles, and top-tier global talent converging in one location, Saudi Arabia is setting a new standard for esports tournaments in the Middle East. Both this year's tournament and the previous edition mark the beginning of a new era in positioning Saudi Arabia as a global leader in the gaming sector by 2030. The World Cup also supports the Kingdom's broader efforts to diversify the economy, create new job opportunities across various sectors, and provide world-class entertainment experiences. The Kingdom is rapidly emerging as a global catalyst for technological innovation, with the electronic gaming sector driving advancements in artificial intelligence and other cutting-edge technologies Saudi Arabia's National Gaming and Esports Strategy, launched in 2022, is the driving force behind these efforts. It focuses on enhancing the gaming experience, expanding entertainment offerings, and stimulating economic growth. Among the ambitious goals of the National Gaming and Esports Strategy are contributing $13.3 billion annually to non-oil gross domestic product and creating 35,000 job opportunities across the gaming and technology sectors. The strategy also targets establishing 250 game development companies, producing globally competitive games — including at least one globally recognized title by 2030 — and developing infrastructure, talent, and international partnerships to support long-term industry growth and innovation. According to LEAP Forward digital magazine, the global gaming market was valued between $225 billion and $250 billion in 2022 — surpassing the film and music industries combined — and projections estimate it will exceed $600 billion by 2030. Clearly, this sector presents a significant opportunity for national growth Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund is playing a significant role in establishing a centralized hub for game developers, marketers, distributors, hardware manufacturers, and intellectual property holders. Savvy Games Group, owned by the PIF, is driving long-term growth in the global gaming and esports industry while positioning Saudi Arabia as a leading hub for both sectors. Saudi Arabia holds a unique position in the esports industry, supported not only by its Vision 2030 strategy but also by its strong demographic advantage, since more than 63 percent of its population is under the age of 35. By investing in esports, Saudi Arabia is not only positioning itself as a leader in the global gaming industry but also contributing to the goals of its Quality of Life Program — a key initiative under Vision 2030. This program aims to enhance the well-being of citizens and residents by enriching cultural, recreational, and social opportunities. Through initiatives in sports, arts, entertainment, and urban development, it seeks to foster a more vibrant, inclusive, and prosperous society. Saudi Arabia's efforts to localize the gaming industry through various strategic initiatives will support its broader goals of increasing public revenue and driving economic diversification. The Kingdom is rapidly emerging as a global catalyst for technological innovation, with the electronic gaming sector driving advancements in artificial intelligence and other cutting-edge technologies. • Talat Zaki Hafiz is an economist and financial analyst. X: @TalatHafiz
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.
The National
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Esports World Cup 2025: $70m prize pool, K-pop star Dino's anthem, and Post Malone's appearance
Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh is preparing to host the world's biggest gaming tournament, the Esports World Cup, for the second time in a row. With more games and higher prize money, the event is set to reinforce Saudi Arabia's growing role as an important player in international esports. Running across seven weeks this summer, the event will not only showcase elite-level competitive gaming, but also deliver a festival-style experience for fans, content creators and industry professionals. Here is everything you need to know about the contest and its key players. Dates and venue The Esports World Cup 2025 will take place from July 7 to August 24 in Boulevard City, Riyadh. The tournament will be held at the brand-new SEF Arena, a purpose-built venue spanning 34,000 square metres. The complex has five halls, including a main arena with a capacity of 2,200 spectators. There are also dedicated areas for professional team training, along with multiple fan-focused spaces, cafes and content creator zones. The size and scope of the venue marks a significant leap forward from last year and reflects Saudi Arabia's aim to become a global hub for esports and gaming culture. Post Malone to perform at opening ceremony American musician Post Malone will headline the Esports World Cup's opening ceremony on July 10. The singer behind hits such as Circles, Rockstar, Congratulations and Sunflower, has recently turned to country music, scoring a major hit with Morgan Wallen called I Had Some Help. Malone will return to the region on December 5 to perform as part of the F1 after-race concert series in Abu Dhabi. Organisers have also announced several other artists who will perform during the tournament. These include Quavo, Metro Boomin, Don Diablo, Central Cee, R3hab and Black Eyed Peas. They'll be supported by regional musicians including Nileboi, Shaolin and Bayou. Dino from Seventeen's o fficial song Grammy-nominated producer and electronic music artist Alesso has worked with Dino from the K-pop band Seventeen; American rapper and singer Duckwrth; and Telle Smith of metal band The Word Alive to produce the tournament's official song. Titled Til My Fingers Bleed, the song is set to be performed live for the first time during the opening ceremony on July 10. It was written and produced by Alex Karlsson and known for their work with BTS, G.E.M. and ATEEZ, along with Jared Lee (Duckwrth), who wrote the track's rap verse. Record-breaking prize pool The 2025 tournament features a $70 million prize pool, the largest in esports history. It surpasses last year's total of $62.5 million, showing the growth and ambition of the competition. The prize money is divided across multiple streams: $27 million is reserved for the Club Championship, with the top club receiving $7 million. A further $38 million will be distributed across 25 different game tournaments, while $450,000 is set aside for MVP awards, recognising individual performances. About $5 million will go towards qualifier tournaments leading up to the main event. Global ambassador Cristiano Ronaldo The tournament has appointed Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronaldo as the official global ambassador for 2025. The EWC Foundation has also announced several major partnerships, including a long-term agreement with Riot Games, covering League of Legends, Teamfight Tactics and Valorant until at least 2027. Meanwhile, has been named as the official platform for the chess component of the tournament. Saudi Arabia will also host the first-ever Olympic Esports Games, an initiative supported by the International Olympic Committee. Expanded game line-up The 2025 Esports World Cup will feature 25 tournaments across 24 titles, offering a mix of strategy, shooter, sports, fighting and mobile games. Additions this year include: Chess, in a 10-minute blitz format, with grandmasters such as Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura expected to appear; Valorant and Crossfire, both added after the signing of a multiyear deal with Riot Games; and Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, marking a return for SNK's classic fighting franchise. Returning favourites include: Dota 2, League of Legends, Counter-Strike 2, Call of Duty: Warzone and Black Ops 6, EA Sports FC 25, Street Fighter 6, PUBG Mobile, Battlegrounds Mobile India, Apex Legends, StarCraft II, Rocket League, Tekken 8, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang and Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege. The selection covers both competitive popularity and global appeal, making it an international event for players and spectators alike. Club Championship At the heart of the event is the Club Championship, a format designed to encourage cross-game performance and consistent success. About 200 clubs and 2,000 players from more than 100 countries are expected to take part. To win the Club Championship, a team must win at least one tournament and finish in the top eight in at least two additional events. This system rewards both dominance and versatility, encouraging clubs to build squads across multiple games. Last year, Team Falcons, based in Saudi Arabia, won the Club Championship, with Team Liquid from the Netherlands and Team BDS from Switzerland finishing second and third respectively. With a more substantial pool of teams this year, the race for the Club Championship title is expected to garner international attention from esports fans. Fan experience and industry summit The Esports World Cup will also host a number of events for visitors and fans to enjoy alongside sitting in on the action. Visitors can look forward to cosplay contests, fan meetups, livestreams, creator booths, gaming challenges, community events, live performances and merchandise zones. Towards the end of the tournament, the New Global Sport Conference will be held on August 23 and 24, inviting industry leaders from across gaming, technology, media and sport to participate in networking opportunities. The chief executives of Sony, Activision, Sega, Bandai Namco, Disney and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics have confirmed they will be attending the conference. Organisers have also revealed that the conference's theme this year is 'The Next Game – Building the Future of Gaming, Esports, and Sports". Ticket prices Tickets are on sale with options including daily passes, multi-week access and VIP hospitality packages. Prices start at 999 Saudi riyals ($266) for weekly passes. Organisers said prices for daily passes will be revealed closer to the start of the event.
The National
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Esports World Cup 2025 explained: Post Malone, Cristiano Ronaldo and a $70 million prize pool
Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh is preparing to host the world's biggest gaming tournament, the Esports World Cup, for the second time in a row. With more games and higher prize money, the event is set to reinforce Saudi Arabia's growing role as an important player in international esports. Running across seven weeks this summer, the event will not only showcase elite-level competitive gaming, but also deliver a festival-style experience for fans, content creators and industry professionals. Here is everything you need to know about the contest and its key players. Dates and venue The Esports World Cup 2025 will take place from July 7 to August 24 in Boulevard City, Riyadh. The tournament will be held at the brand-new SEF Arena, a purpose-built venue spanning 34,000 square metres. The complex has five halls, including a main arena with a capacity of 2,200 spectators. There are also dedicated areas for professional team training, along with multiple fan-focused spaces, cafes and content creator zones. The size and scope of the venue marks a significant leap forward from last year and reflects Saudi Arabia's aim to become a global hub for esports and gaming culture. Post Malone to perform at opening ceremony American musician Post Malone will headline the Esports World Cup's opening ceremony on July 10. The singer behind hits such as Circles, Rockstar, Congratulations and Sunflower, has recently turned to country music, scoring a major hit with Morgan Wallen called I Had Some Help. Malone will return to the region on December 5 to perform as part of the F1 after-race concert series in Abu Dhabi. Record-breaking prize pool The 2025 tournament features a $70 million prize pool, the largest in esports history. It surpasses last year's total of $62.5 million, showing the growth and ambition of the competition. The prize money is divided across multiple streams: $27 million is reserved for the Club Championship, with the top club receiving $7 million. A further $38 million will be distributed across 25 different game tournaments, while $450,000 is set aside for MVP awards, recognising individual performances. About $5 million will go towards qualifier tournaments leading up to the main event. Global ambassador Cristiano Ronaldo The tournament has appointed Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronaldo as the official global ambassador for 2025. The EWC Foundation has also announced several major partnerships, including a long-term agreement with Riot Games, covering League of Legends, Teamfight Tactics and Valorant until at least 2027. Meanwhile, has been named as the official platform for the chess component of the tournament. Saudi Arabia will also host the first-ever Olympic Esports Games, an initiative supported by the International Olympic Committee. Expanded game line-up The 2025 Esports World Cup will feature 25 tournaments across 24 titles, offering a mix of strategy, shooter, sports, fighting and mobile games. Additions this year include: Chess, in a 10-minute blitz format, with grandmasters such as Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura expected to appear; Valorant and Crossfire, both added after the signing of a multiyear deal with Riot Games; and Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, marking a return for SNK's classic fighting franchise. Returning favourites include: Dota 2, League of Legends, Counter-Strike 2, Call of Duty: Warzone and Black Ops 6, EA Sports FC 25, Street Fighter 6, PUBG Mobile, Battlegrounds Mobile India, Apex Legends, StarCraft II, Rocket League, Tekken 8, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang and Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege. The selection covers both competitive popularity and global appeal, making it an international event for players and spectators alike. Club Championship At the heart of the event is the Club Championship, a format designed to encourage cross-game performance and consistent success. About 200 clubs and 2,000 players from more than 100 countries are expected to take part. To win the Club Championship, a team must win at least one tournament and finish in the top eight in at least two additional events. This system rewards both dominance and versatility, encouraging clubs to build squads across multiple games. Last year, Team Falcons, based in Saudi Arabia, won the Club Championship, with Team Liquid from the Netherlands and Team BDS from Switzerland finishing second and third respectively. With a more substantial pool of teams this year, the race for the Club Championship title is expected to garner international attention from esports fans. Fan experience and industry summit The Esports World Cup will also host a number of events for visitors and fans to enjoy alongside sitting in on the action. Visitors can look forward to cosplay contests, fan meetups, livestreams, creator booths, gaming challenges, community events, live performances and merchandise zones. Towards the end of the tournament, the New Global Sport Conference will be held on August 23 and 24, inviting industry leaders from across gaming, technology, media and sport to participate in networking opportunities. Ticket prices Tickets are currently on sale with options including daily passes, multi-week access, and VIP hospitality packages. Prices start at 999 Saudi riyals ($266) for weekly passes. Organisers have said that prices for daily passes will be revealed closer to the start of the event.
The National
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Esports World Cup 2025: What to know about $70 million gaming competition in Riyadh
Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh is preparing to host the world's biggest gaming tournament, the Esports World Cup, for the second time in a row. With more games and higher prize money, the event is set to reinforce Saudi Arabia's growing role as an important player in international esports. Running across seven weeks this summer, the event will not only showcase elite-level competitive gaming, but also deliver a festival-style experience for fans, content creators and industry professionals. Here is everything you need to know about the contest and its key players. Dates and venue The Esports World Cup 2025 will take place from July 7 to August 24 in Boulevard City, Riyadh. The tournament will be held at the brand-new SEF Arena, a purpose-built venue spanning 34,000 square metres. The complex has five halls, including a main arena with a capacity of 2,200 spectators. There are also dedicated areas for professional team training, along with multiple fan-focused spaces, cafes and content creator zones. The size and scope of the venue marks a significant leap forward from last year and reflects Saudi Arabia's aim to become a global hub for esports and gaming culture. Record-breaking prize pool The 2025 tournament features a $70 million prize pool, the largest in esports history. It surpasses last year's total of $62.5 million, showing the growth and ambition of the competition. The prize money is divided across multiple streams: $27 million is reserved for the Club Championship, with the top club receiving $7 million. A further $38 million will be distributed across 25 different game tournaments, while $450,000 is set aside for MVP awards, recognising individual performances. About $5 million will go towards qualifier tournaments leading up to the main event. Star power The tournament has appointed Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronaldo as the official global ambassador for 2025. The EWC Foundation has also announced several major partnerships, including a long-term agreement with Riot Games, covering League of Legends, Teamfight Tactics and Valorant until at least 2027. Meanwhile, has been named as the official platform for the chess component of the tournament. Saudi Arabia will also host the first-ever Olympic Esports Games, an initiative supported by the International Olympic Committee. Expanded game line-up The 2025 Esports World Cup will feature 25 tournaments across 24 titles, offering a mix of strategy, shooter, sports, fighting and mobile games. Additions this year include: Chess, in a 10-minute blitz format, with grandmasters such as Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura expected to appear; Valorant and Crossfire, both added after the signing of a multiyear deal with Riot Games; and Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, marking a return for SNK's classic fighting franchise. Returning favourites include: Dota 2, League of Legends, Counter-Strike 2, Call of Duty: Warzone and Black Ops 6, EA Sports FC 25, Street Fighter 6, PUBG Mobile, Battlegrounds Mobile India, Apex Legends, StarCraft II, Rocket League, Tekken 8, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang and Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege. The selection covers both competitive popularity and global appeal, making it an international event for players and spectators alike. Club Championship At the heart of the event is the Club Championship, a format designed to encourage cross-game performance and consistent success. About 200 clubs and 2,000 players from more than 100 countries are expected to take part. To win the Club Championship, a team must win at least one tournament and finish in the top eight in at least two additional events. This system rewards both dominance and versatility, encouraging clubs to build squads across multiple games. Last year, Team Falcons, based in Saudi Arabia, won the Club Championship, with Team Liquid from the Netherlands and Team BDS from Switzerland finishing second and third respectively. With a more substantial pool of teams this year, the race for the Club Championship title is expected to garner international attention from esports fans. Fan experience and industry summit The Esports World Cup will also host a number of events for visitors and fans to enjoy alongside sitting in on the action. Visitors can look forward to cosplay contests, fan meetups, livestreams, creator booths, gaming challenges, community events, live performances and merchandise zones. Towards the end of the tournament, the Global Sport Conference will be held on August 23 and 24, inviting industry leaders from across gaming, technology, media and sport to participate in networking opportunities. Ticket prices Tickets are currently on sale with options including daily passes, multi-week access, and VIP hospitality packages. Prices start at 999 Saudi riyals ($266) for weekly passes. Organisers have said that prices for daily passes will be revealed closer to the start of the event.
