Saudi Arabia's Esports World Cup aims to position Riyadh as global gaming hub
The recent 'Esports World Cup' in Riyadh, which featured the Dota 2 final between Team Spirit and Team Falcons, drew large crowds and enthusiastic fans.
Mike McCabe, COO of the Esports World Cup Foundation, cited government support and a national gaming strategy as key factors in the sector's growth.
'We have a national gaming and esports strategy, which is one of the pillars of Vision 2030… when you couple that with a very motivated government and an incredibly passionate population, it makes perfect sense,' he said.
Saudi gamers say the changes are noticeable at the community level.
'Kids and young people are becoming more involved and informed,' said Hassan Al Himyari, a local gamer.
'Now every child has a game they regularly play, whether it's PUBG, Fortnite, Valorant, or others.'
The Esports World Cup is in its second annual iteration in Riyadh, drawing over 2,000 competitors from 84 countries to the heart of Saudi Arabia.
The event, running until August 24, boasts a $70 million prize pool.
The tournament features popular titles such as Dota 2, Rennsport, and Valorant, captivating gaming enthusiasts worldwide.
Sports, esports and gaming have been part of the crown prince's transformation plan, known as Vision 2030, in which the government is pouring hundreds of billions of dollars to diversify the kingdom's economy and reduce its reliance on oil.
Saudi Arabia's Savvy Games Group, owned by sovereign wealth fund PIF, said in 2022 it will invest 142 billion riyals ($37.8 billion) in initiatives aimed at making Saudi Arabia a global hub for gaming.
Under the plan, the kingdom aims to set up 250 game companies locally, which will create 39,000 jobs, and raise the sector's contribution to Saudi GDP to 50 billion riyals by 2030.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Arab News
6 hours ago
- Arab News
KSrelief distributes 670 food baskets in Somalia
MOGADISHU: Saudi aid agency KSrelief recently distributed 670 food baskets to needy families in various regions of Somalia. The initiative, which benefited 4,555 individuals, is part of the 2025 food aid distribution project in the African country, which is part of the Kingdom's humanitarian efforts to help the Somali people achieve food security. KSrelief also recently launched a volunteer project to deliver training courses for administrative staff in Aden, Yemen, with the participation of seven volunteers from various disciplines. Since the launch of the campaign, the team has delivered courses in human resources management, project management, strategic planning and financial reporting, benefiting 137 individuals.


Arab News
6 hours ago
- Arab News
Saudi transport minister tours Hail International Airport
HAIL: Saudi Minister of Transport and Logistic Services Saleh Al-Jasser conducted an inspection tour of Hail International Airport alongside his accompanying delegation. During the visit, the minister was briefed on details regarding passenger services and the airport's strategic vision for upcoming projects and destination expansions. Al-Jasser toured various airport terminals and operational areas, monitored workflow processes, evaluated operational preparedness and examined work protocols. He also reviewed passenger amenities and services available throughout the airport complex. The minister highlighted the importance of efforts to position Hail as a comprehensive logistics center that links northern Saudi Arabia with the Kingdom's central and western areas.


Leaders
6 hours ago
- Leaders
32 Players Advance to Round of 16 at World Pool Championship in Jeddah
32 Players Advance to Round of 16 at World Pool Championship in Jeddah The Round of 32 at the World Pool Championship wrapped up Friday morning at the Green Halls in Jeddah, showcasing top talent from over 40 nations. After a series of high-stakes matches, 32 players have earned their place in the Round of 16, which kicks off today at 2:00 p.m. Quarterfinals will follow later in the evening at 8:00 p.m. The tournament continues into Saturday with the semifinals and the championship match, where the next world champion will be crowned in a 15-rack final showdown. Related Topics: Gen.G Esports Secures 'League of Legends' Title at Esports World Cup 2025 Russian Team Spirit Clinches Dota 2 Title at 2025 Esports World Cup Esports World Cup 2025: Prince Faisal Reveals Tournament's Grand Vision Short link :