At the recent inaugural Esports World Cup in Saudi, the New Global Sport Conference brought together advocates from around the world to explore the power of ‘fandom.’
As the 2024 Esports World Cup ends with Team Falcons taking home $7 million in life-changing prize money, attention has shifted to the future of gaming.
Saudi, the host of the World Cup, has already confirmed the competition’s return in 2025. With 2 million visitors and 250 million gaming hours logged throughout the event, the country is keen to capitalize on this success for the benefit of gamers, teams, and fans alike.
This intersection of achievement and opportunity is why 1,200 industry thought-leaders, international celebrities, CEOs, and government officials descended on Riyadh - not to game, but to talk - at the New Global Sport Conference (NGSC).
A pivotal gathering
Hosted across two days in August, the NGSC took a new approach to tackling the key challenges and opportunities in the competitive gaming world.
Bringing together 60 influential speakers from the worlds of gaming, esports, technology, sports, entertainment, and business, the conference offered previews of upcoming releases, behind-the-scenes insights, and numerous opportunities to discuss the future of esports.
“We wanted to show the world that passion has no limits and creativity has no ceiling,” said HRH Prince Faisal Bin Bandar Bin Sultan, Chairman of the Saudi Esports Federation. “This conference marked a significant first step towards a bright and prosperous future for gaming.”
NGSC’s purpose centred on a group integral to the evolution of esports - particularly regarding the recognition of competitive gaming as equal to other sports - the fans.
“As a lifelong gamer, this year’s theme of ‘The Future of Fandom’ strongly resonated with me,” said Joe Marsh, CEO of T1 Entertainment & Sports. “What does it mean to be an esports fan in the modern era? And how do we ensure that our teams have the best opportunities to compete in the tournaments and matches that the gaming world so desires?”
NGSC provided a platform where these questions could be discussed, debated, and answered. Through stories of passion, dedication, and triumph, delegates were left with a renewed sense of the power of fandom to drive the industry’s future, influence society, and build brand equity beyond the screen.
Visionary leadership
The success of the NGSC can be put down to a word that stuck in the minds of speakers and delegates alike: leadership.
NGSC welcomed an outstanding pool of speakers who showcased how leadership, innovation and expertise are creating new opportunities for growth across a variety of first-mover, fan-first industries.
Notable figures from Niko Partners, T1 Entertainment, and Sony Group engaged in meaningful dialogue alongside sporting and cultural pioneers such as World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen. Meanwhile the former Manchester United footballer Patrice Evra shared his thoughts on the panel ‘Becoming a Modern Sports Hero’ alongside Gabriel “FalleN” Toledo, the Brazilian national Counter-Strike II player.
“We find ourselves in a historic moment,” says Faisal Bin Homran, CPO, Esports World Cup Foundation. “With this conference we are able to meet the decision makers that will shape the future and plan it in a way that serves the industry.”
Leadership is also evident in the actions of the host nation, which has made it its mission to support the esports community. In addition to hosting the Esports World Cup and NGSC, Saudi Arabia aims to establish 250 game companies, create 39,000 jobs, and raise the sector’s contribution to the national GDP to $13 billion by 2030.
“When you talk about gaming and esports there’s certain places that come to the top of your mind - we want Saudi to be a natural part of that conversation,” says HRH Prince Faisal.
The most recent highpoint of that conversation was the announcement that the International Olympic Committee has partnered with the Saudi Olympic Committee to host the inaugural Olympic Esports Games in 2025.
This landmark partnership – which will last over a decade – is the culmination of years of discussions, and acts as a vital step toward incorporating competitive gaming into the broader sports world.
“We see an integration between esports and traditional sports, where they can bridge the gap, transform, and support each other,” says Ser Miang, an IOC Member. “Sports can be gamified, and games can be sportified.”
Carrying the torch
With the first Esports World Cup trophy lifted and the NGSC now concluded, the esports industry and its fandom begin preparing for the next level in 2025.
And as Saudi aspires to become the world’s go-to destination for the industry, it will continue to carry the torch, uniting players, fans, and leaders to drive forward the reputation of gaming.
To discover more about the New Global Sport Conference, visit the website.
