RIYADH: In a significant announcement at “The New Global Sport Conference” in Riyadh, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman revealed plans for the inaugural Esports World Cup, set to debut in the summer of 2024.
This annual mega-event signifies Saudi Arabia’s ambitious leap into the world of esports, aiming to position the Kingdom as the leading global hub for gaming, while also bolstering the nation’s economy and tourism sectors.
The Crown Prince not only unveiled the Esports World Cup but also introduced the Esports World Cup Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering collaboration within the esports community and ensuring the sector’s long-term sustainability. This move marks a significant milestone in Saudi Arabia’s journey to becoming a key player in international esports and sports competitions.
Esports World Cup to Play Vital Role in Achieving Goals of Vision 2030
Prince Mohammed bin Salman underscored the tournament’s vital role in achieving the objectives outlined in Vision 2030, emphasizing its contribution to economic diversification, job creation, and the promotion of world-class entertainment. He described the Esports World Cup as the “natural next step” in Saudi Arabia’s evolution into a global gaming powerhouse, offering an unparalleled esports experience that pushes industry boundaries.
Drawing from the success of local esports events such as GAMERS8, the Esports World Cup will feature a diverse range of popular games and boast the largest prize pool in esports history. It will introduce a unique cross-game competition format to determine the ultimate Esports World Cup Champion.
Beyond competition, the Esports World Cup aims to provide a thriving ecosystem for players, clubs, and the entire esports sector, aligning with the National Gaming and Esports Strategy. This strategy aims to contribute over SR50 billion to the Kingdom’s GDP and create 39,000 new jobs by 2030, with the tournament playing a pivotal role in its realization.
