With billions of dollars of financial investment and embedded cultural significance, Saudi’s esports legacy is only just beginning.
“Gaming has become one of the most natural ways to engage, connect, and inspire,” says HRH Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan, president of the Saudi Esports Federation. “It’s more than just a hobby. It’s a cultural touchpoint that brings people together and creates space for talent to shine.”
That cultural significance is why esports is central to Saudi’s Vision 2030 transformation plan. Of the 13 sectors singled out for development, gaming is one of the most future-facing, and the numbers speak for themselves. The local market is projected to reach US$13.3 billion by 2030. But the future isn’t just built on economics. Esports is helping shape a new generation of Saudi professionals that are young, digitally fluent, and globally ambitious.
At every stage of life, from education into the workplace, opportunities are being built in. Students can enter local and regional competitions, rise through national leagues like the Saudi eLeague, and, for the best of the best, earn a spot in the Esports World Cup (EWC).
This pipeline is what HRH Prince Faisal calls a “comprehensive pathway” that develops skills, builds community, and sustains momentum year-round. “It’s something we are deeply committed to as we continue shaping a sustainable, inclusive, and globally competitive esports ecosystem.”
Building a community
Esports may be played on screens, but it’s powered by people. Behind every match is a network of developers, broadcasters, agents, production crews, and creative teams, all working in tandem to create the best experience possible.
This network is where Saudi has invested heavily, to ensure that its output at every level, from talent to tournaments, is the very best.
Through Savvy Games Group, Saudi has acquired leading global companies like ESL FACEIT Group and Scopely, both of which are behind some of the world’s most iconic titles and tournaments. Riyadh has also become the regional HQ for VSPO, the largest esports company in Asia. Together, these moves, worth around US$38 billion, have empowered Saudi to go about building a fully-fledged esports infrastructure with global credibility.
Saudi’s flagship event is the Esports World Cup. Between July 8th and August 24th, 2025, Riyadh plays host to the multi-game mega-event, blending a record-breaking $70-million prize pool with year-round cultural programming. As the top 200 Clubs from over 100 global destinations come together, they will compete in 25 tournaments across 24 games, including new editions VALORANT, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, Crossfire, and Chess.
“It gives Saudi’s young, tech-savvy population a platform to participate in, work within, and lead one of the world’s fastest-growing industries.”
A cultural roadmap
With the launch of its National Gaming and Esports Strategy in 2022, Saudi became the first country in the world to publish a government-backed plan for esports. As well as creating 39,000 jobs and generating significant economic output, the strategy aims to broaden Saudi’s growing global cultural relevance.
The US$20 million Club Partner Program is a prime example. Designed to support global teams, the fund enables the creation of compelling esports content that extends into the broader cultural space. It helps grow the international fanbase and strengthen esports’ position as a global sport and the most popular form of entertainment.
“Esports fits naturally within Saudi’s broader push to lead in digital entertainment and innovation,” HRH Prince Faisal says. “It brings together technology, creativity, and community in a way that speaks directly to the next generation.”
The EWC is in full swing, connecting millions through their love of gaming. As the points continue to rack up, it is now clearer than ever that Saudi’s esports legacy will shape the industry’s future for years to come.
Discover more about the Esports World Cup here.
