Saudi Arabia unveils ambitious Esports World Cup to transform Riyadh in 2024

In a historic announcement made at the “The New Global Sport Conference” in Riyadh, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman unveiled plans for the inaugural Esports World Cup, set to debut in the summer of 2024.

This groundbreaking tournament seeks to establish Saudi Arabia as a key global hub for the burgeoning gaming and esports industry, symbolizing a significant stride in the Kingdom’s ongoing commitment to diversify its economy and enhance its tourism and entertainment sectors.

During the conference, Prince Mohammed bin Salman not only introduced the Esports World Cup but also revealed the creation of the Esports World Cup Foundation, a non-profit organization with a mission to foster cooperation within the esports community, ensuring the sector’s long-term sustainability. This momentous announcement signifies a pivotal step in Saudi Arabia’s pursuit of becoming a central figure in international esports and sports competitions.

The Crown Prince highlighted the tournament’s pivotal role in realizing the Vision 2030 objectives, citing the Esports World Cup as a crucial catalyst for economic diversification, job creation, and the provision of world-class entertainment. He described the event as the “natural next step” in Saudi Arabia’s evolution into a global gaming powerhouse, promising an unparalleled esports experience that will redefine industry standards.

Building on the success of local esports events such as GAMERS8, the Esports World Cup aligns with Saudi Arabia’s ongoing efforts to nurture and expand the esports sector. The tournament will feature a diverse range of popular games and will offer the largest prize pool in the history of esports, introducing a unique cross-game competition format to determine the ultimate Esports World Cup Champion.

Furthermore, the Esports World Cup seeks to create a thriving environment for players, clubs, and the broader esports sector, aligning with the National Gaming and Esports Strategy. This strategy, aiming to contribute over SR50 billion to the Kingdom’s GDP and generate 39,000 new jobs by 2030, is anticipated to gain momentum through the tournament’s execution.

This summer spectacle is not only about competition but also provides a comprehensive entertainment experience. The Esports World Cup will be complemented by a wide array of activities and events, transforming Riyadh into a gaming capital that attracts visitors and tourists. This strategic move aims to counter the traditional summer decline in hotel occupancy rates, tourism spending, restaurant and café expenditures, and consumer purchasing power, presenting a significant opportunity for Saudi tourism.

As the Esports World Cup Foundation prepares to unveil more details in the upcoming year, the gaming world eagerly anticipates the transformative impact of this ambitious venture on the global esports landscape.