President of the Saudi Esports Federation, Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud gives a press conference during the opening ceremony of 2024 Esports World Cup is held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on July 2, 2024 [Mohammed Saad/Anadolu via Getty Images]
Saudi Arabia is making significant strides in becoming a global hub for esports and gaming, according to Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan, head of the Saudi Esports Federation. Speaking ahead of the two-day New Global Sport Conference in Riyadh, Prince Faisal highlighted the success of Saudi Arabia’s inaugural Esports World Cup, which concludes today. Reflecting on the World Cup, Prince Faisal expressed pride in the event’s scale and organisation, involving over 1,500 players and thousands of staff. “Getting everyone excited every day for eight weeks is a massive accomplishment,” he said.
A standout moment was Saudi esports star Mosaad Al-Dossary’s emotional reaction to his team, Team Falcons, winning the championship. “It was a powerful moment that showed the humanity behind the player,” Prince Faisal noted.
The event has nearly doubled its online viewership compared to last year’s Gamers8 event, demonstrating the growing interest in esports within the Kingdom. “It’s a showcase that Saudi teams can compete on the main stage with the best in the world,” said Prince Faisal.
As the New Global Sport Conference 2024 focuses on “The Future of Fandom,” Prince Faisal emphasised the importance of collaboration among stakeholders, including publishers and players. He stressed that the players and fans are central to shaping the future of esports.
The conference also showcased Saudi Arabia’s strategic investments in esports, aiming to attract 250 gaming companies and studios. With $38 billion earmarked by the Public Investment Fund, the Kingdom is poised to become a major player in the international esports arena, challenging the dominance of countries like South Korea, China, and Japan.
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