Saudi Arabian Premier Unveils Esports Global Championship

Saudi Arabia's Prime Minister and Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, unveiled the annual Esports World Cup in Riyadh starting in the summer of 2024. This championship will spotlight various top-tier esports games spanning different genres, boasting a prize pool touted as the biggest ever, though specifics weren't revealed.

Replacing the Saudi Esports Federation's Gamers8 – a $45m esports festival – this new venture is steered by the newly established Esports World Cup Foundation. This government-backed non-profit aims to unify esports stakeholders and fortify the industry's longevity. Although the specific games have yet to be named, they're hinted to comprise globally renowned ones from every primary genre.

The Crown Prince emphasized that this initiative aligns with the National Gaming and Esports Strategy introduced in September 2022. The goal is to expand the nation's esports footprint, thus aligning with the Vision 2030 blueprint. This blueprint focuses on broadening economic avenues, fostering the tourism industry, and job creation.

To counteract the tourism decline during Saudi's sweltering summer, the Esports World Cup will be an indoor event complemented by many activities intended to pull in both tourists and locals.

Saudi's recent push into esports has been evident with its formation of the ESL FACEIT Group, the inception of a $45m esports festival, and investments in leading game developers. September 2022 saw the state-run Savvy Games Group disclose a mammoth $38bn investment strategy for esports and gaming.
However, Saudi's surge into esports has yet to be universally praised. Detractors label it 'esportswashing,' hinting at the possibility of diverting attention from controversial human rights issues. Concerns surrounding LGBTQ+ rights, women's freedoms, and freedom of expression persist, raising questions about the safety of esports participants nationwide.

The event was announced at the New Global Sports Conference, a collaborative initiative of the Saudi Esports Federation and the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Sport.

The Crown Prince commented, "The Esports World Cup signifies a pivotal moment in our ambition to position Saudi Arabia as the paramount global nexus for gaming and esports. This event is not just a competition; it's a beacon highlighting our commitment to Vision 2030, promising economic diversification, tourism growth, and holistic entertainment for all."

It's notable that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, besides being the heir apparent, also functions as Saudi Arabia's Prime Minister.