The inaugural Esports World Cup begins in the “Boulevard City” area of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The event will run until August 25, aiming to become a cornerstone in achieving Saudi Arabia’s esports and gaming strategy, championed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Saudi Arabia is positioning this championship as a pivotal element in its comprehensive strategy for the gaming and esports sector.
Announced by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the plan aims for the sector to contribute over SAR 50 billion (approximately $13.3 billion) to the national GDP by 2030.
Additionally, it seeks to create more than 39,000 new jobs and establish Riyadh as the global capital for esports.
In October 2023, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman declared that Saudi Arabia would host this event annually, starting from the summer of 2024.
He noted that the Esports World Cup is “the natural next step in Saudi Arabia’s journey to become the world’s premier hub for gaming and esports.”
The Esports World Cup boasts a total prize pool of around $60 million, setting a new benchmark for the industry.
This surpasses the previous record of $45 million set during the “Gamers 2023” season. The prizes will be distributed across 22 diverse competitions involving approximately 1,500 players.
The breakdown includes $20 million for club championships, $30 million for game tournaments, $7.6 million for qualifiers, and $1.1 million for “Best Player” awards, with each competition offering a $50,000 prize for the top player.
Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan, President of the Saudi Esports Federation, expressed his excitement during the press conference marking the event’s launch.
He stated, “We look forward to seeing the impact of this first edition in the coming weeks. We are confident that the Esports World Cup will provide an unprecedented experience in the history of the sector.”
As part of its broader goals, Saudi Arabia aims to invigorate the tourism sector through this event.
The Esports World Cup Foundation, in collaboration with the Saudi Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Tourism, has announced the availability of e-visas for ticket holders. This initiative is designed to streamline the process for visitors coming to the kingdom to attend the championship.
With the launch of the first-ever Esports World Cup, Saudi Arabia is set to make significant strides in the global gaming and esports landscape.
The event not only underscores the kingdom’s commitment to becoming a leading esports hub but also aims to drive economic growth and job creation while promoting tourism.
The world will be watching as Riyadh hosts this groundbreaking event, setting new standards in the esports industry.
