The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has emerged as a trailblazer in successfully creating and organizing unique and high-quality international events across all levels.
Its victories in securing the hosting rights for significant global events in various fields, particularly sports, have been a source of pride and inspiration.
The meticulous attention to every detail of hosting, organization, and hospitality has set new standards, leading to significant advancements in various aspects of life that concern all of humanity. The Kingdom's unwavering commitment to innovation and modernity, evident in every event it hosts, inspires hope for a bright future.
After winning its bid to organize Expo 2030, the 2034 World Cup, and the 2027 Asian Cup, and its previous successes in hosting international sporting events with competence and professionalism, such as the 2023 Club World Cup and the Dakar Rally for ten years, making it the first country in Asia to host the most significant global sporting event in terms of rally racing, the Kingdom has continued to receive praise for its exceptional organization and hosting.
Today, the Kingdom renews its significance in reading the future and dealing with it as a living reality. It took the initiative to start a digital world linked to entertainment, economic, and sports aspects by hosting the first edition of the Esports World Cup in Riyadh.
Prizes worth $60 million were allocated, enticing more than 2,500 players to participate, with expectations of 2 million visitors and attendees. Additionally, it has made it easier for esports fans to visit the Kingdom by allowing them to obtain a visit visa once they purchase a ticket to attend the event. The Kingdom also announced the hosting of the first edition of the Olympic Esports Games in 2025.
In an exclusive interview with the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the CEO of the Saudi Esports Federation, Turki Alfawzan, stated that the Olympic Esports Games in 2025 will help achieve the national strategy goals for gaming and electronic sports.
He emphasized its role in promoting global innovation, showcasing the Kingdom's impact on the world stage, and building the competitive capabilities of this sector. This event is also expected to positively impact tourism, diversify the economy, and develop promising sectors in line with the Kingdom's Vision 2030.
Furthermore, Alfawzan highlighted the crucial role of the gaming and esports sector in engaging with societies at cultural, sporting, and economic levels.
According to the CEO of the Quality of Life Program Center, Khalid bin Abdullah Al-Bakr, this will contribute to improving the quality of human life in those societies. He stressed the importance of the gaming and esports sector in diversifying options, improving the quality of life, and supporting and empowering young people interested in this field in terms of practice, entrepreneurship, startup companies, creativity, and innovation.
The CEO underscored the rapid global growth of the gaming and esports sector and its significance as one of the essential goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030.
He also expressed excitement and pride in the Kingdom's pioneering role in this sector and its plan to become the leading global center for gaming and esports. This achievement is expected to contribute to job creation, support the tourism, sports, and entertainment sectors, and empower talent in this vital sector through competitive sporting events and tournaments hosted by the Kingdom.
On this first-of-its-kind global championship in esports, CEO at the Esports World Cup Foundation Faisal bin Homran affirmed that the Kingdom has proven its leadership in the global scene of sports and esports by hosting the first edition of the largest event in the sector, the "World Esports Cup,” highlighting the excellence witnessed during the opening week of the championship that surpassed all expectations and received a positive feedback from esports enthusiasts and fans, both present at the SEF Arena hosting the event and watching remotely.
"For esports fans worldwide, it has long been a dream to witness top clubs and players competing in the most famous games, and the World Esports Cup has succeeded in realizing this dream on Saudi soil,” he said.
This enthusiasm prompted a large number of Saudi and non-Saudi professionals and enthusiasts to participate in the event, which began on July 2, totaling more than 2500 players, who will be competing over 8 weeks for prizes totaling $60 million, alongside various cultural, entertainment, artistic, and sports events awaited by the global audience of this event.
These players, who eagerly participated in this global sports event, agree that their experience is exceptional, as they write their names in the history books of this inaugural edition, particularly in Saudi Arabia, which has become a global hub and main stage for esports competitions. This marks the actual beginning for professional players in this sport, based on feedback received from esports creators, fans, experts, and investors worldwide.
Esports tournaments and competitions often feature popular video games such as first-person shooter games, sports simulations, and strategy games, with professional players and teams undergoing intensive training with specialized coaches and support staff.
