Saudi Arabia has declared its intention to host the Esports World Cup beginning next year, further solidifying its commitment to developing the gaming and esports industry. The announcement was made by the Kingdom’s de facto ruler, Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), who stated that this initiative is a natural progression in Saudi Arabia’s quest to become a global hub for gaming and esports.
Prince Mohammed, an enthusiastic gamer known for his fondness for titles like Call of Duty, has spearheaded significant investments in the gaming sector since he became the first in line to the throne six years ago. Last year, he unveiled a $38 billion investment strategy for the kingdom’s Savvy Games Group, which is owned by the prosperous sovereign wealth fund. The primary objective is to create an impressive 39,000 esports-related job opportunities by 2030.
Furthermore, Saudi Arabia aims to position itself as a hub for game developers, with a vision to create games that promote Saudi and Arabic culture. The national esports strategy aims to have 30 globally competitive games produced by domestic studios by the year 2030.
The inaugural Esports World Cup is anticipated to take place next summer, replacing the Gamers8 festival of Esports World Cup tournaments, which featured a total prize pool of $45 million this year. Notably, the Esports World Cup will be held during a period when tourism in Saudi Arabia typically experiences a decline due to the scorching summer temperatures, with daily highs exceeding 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) in the capital city, Riyadh.
To mitigate this, Saudi officials have announced plans to offer a diverse range of activities and events alongside the Esports World Cup to attract visitors and tourists to the capital, envisioning Riyadh as a vibrant gaming destination.
While the specific games to be featured in the Esports World Cup have not been disclosed, organizers have promised to reveal details early next year. The tournament is anticipated to encompass the most popular games across various genres and boasts the promise of the largest prize pool in esports history.
Saudi Arabia’s ambition to become a global esports hub and its commitment to developing the gaming industry has piqued the interest of gaming enthusiasts worldwide, and many eagerly await further details on the upcoming Esports World Cup.
