General
Emerging Esports Powerhouse: Saudi Arabia Hosts Esports World Cup
Saudi Arabia has recently announced that they will be hosting an esports World Cup held in Riyadh in the summer of 2024.
World Cup Announcement
Saudi Arabia has recently announced that they will be hosting an esports World Cup, which is anticipated to be held annually. The first edition of this event will be held in Riyadh in the summer of 2024.
This event is part of the Saudi government’s national gaming and esports strategy to make this country more relevant in the gaming and esports industries. This strategy aims to foster new career and business opportunities to make Saudi Arabia the center of esports.
The prince expects this strategy to boost the sector and create 39,000 jobs between now and 2030.
โThe Esports World Cup is the natural next step in Saudi Arabia’s journey to become the premier global hub for gaming and esports, offering an unmatched esports experience that pushes the boundaries of the industry. The competition will enhance our progress towards realizing the Vision 2030 objectives of diversifying the economy and growing tourism sector, creating new jobs in various industries, and providing world-class entertainment for citizens, residents and visitors alike.โ – Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The new World Cup will replace the Gamers8 festival, which was the biggest gaming festival in Saudi Arabia. This new event is also expected to feature the largest prize pool in esports history.
All the titles that will be played in the World Cup have not yet been announced, but news is expected in the following days
Additionally, the creation of the Esports World Cup Foundation was announced. A non-profit organization responsible for organizing the World Cup, improving collaboration between esports stakeholders, and ensuring the sector’s development.
Esports Regulations in Saudi Arabia
The Saudi Arabian Federation for Electronic and Intellectual Sports (SAFEIS) was established in 2017 with the objective of fostering and overseeing the growth of the Saudi esports industry.
Its primary function is to issue permits and licenses for esports tournaments and ensure that such tournaments adhere to certain fundamental integrity standards.
Despite the fact that SAFEIS is the primary authority in Saudi Arabia responsible for approving e-sports events, the General Entertainment Authority (‘GEA’) has been established to oversee the development of entertainment and public events. Additionally, GEA will be involved in certain aspects of public esports events.
There exist certain integrity regulations, such as the requirement for devices used in the tournaments. As is normal, for larger events, SAFEIS should approve the rules and referees prior to the event and make them known to the public once they have been approved.
There are also additional requirements, such as the appointment of team liaison officers who respond for team conduct to SAFEIS authority. Additionally, larger tournament organizers must update SAFEIS regarding certain changes to event schedules and other details.
Image: Saudi Esports via X/Twitter
