If Saudi Arabia recently made headlines by announcing the creation of a Dragon Ball theme park, the country has demonstrated its commitment to promoting eSports in the Middle East for several years through support for players and teams throughout their careers. In 2024, Saudi Arabia will host the eSports World Cup, a competitive event spanning eight weeks in Riyadh, the capital city, where top performers in various gaming disciplines will showcase their skills. The competition will feature games such as DOTA 2, Starcraft 2, Honor of Kings, Counter-Strike 2, and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, both in-person and online, with live streams on Twitch.
With a market value estimated at $1.5 billion in 2022, esports has emerged as a promising sector attracting more professionals, sponsors, and countries eager to host events. Given Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdelaziz’s known passion for video games and Japanese pop culture, it is unsurprising that he is prepared to invest in this area. In his press release statement, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia described the esports World Cup as “the next natural step in Saudi Arabia’s journey to become the world’s first global hub for video gaming and esports, offering an unparalleled experience that pushes the boundaries of the industry.” During the competition, professional players from around the globe will compete in popular esports games. The championships will feature dedicated tournaments for each game, including qualifying stages, group phases, and finals. Additionally, esports clubs will earn points based on their players’ results in individual matches, thereby establishing an overall club ranking.
