Today, Mohammed bin Salman, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, announced that the country will host an annual Esports World Cup starting in 2024. The unveiling of the Esports World Cup took place during The New Global Sport Conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and it will replace the Gamers8 event held earlier this year, which featured a substantial prize pool of over $45 million distributed among various esports tournaments.
Saudi Arabia has been actively promoting esports and gaming in recent years, highlighted by initiatives like the development of NEOM, a futuristic city. Many view these efforts as a means for the government to improve the country’s international image, as Saudi Arabia has faced criticism in the West for its human rights issues and anti-LGBTQ+ laws. This approach in the realm of traditional sports and esports has been coined as “sportswashing.”
Mohammed bin Salman, however, considers the Esports World Cup as a logical progression for Saudi Arabia, positioning it as a global hub for gaming and esports. He emphasized that this competition aligns with the Vision 2030 objectives, which aim to diversify the economy, boost the tourism sector, create jobs across various industries, and provide top-tier entertainment for both citizens and visitors.
In addition to the announcement of the Esports World Cup, Saudi Arabia introduced the Esports World Cup Foundation, dedicated to making a lasting impact on the gaming ecosystem. Ralf Reichert, the chairman of ESL FACEIT, has been appointed as the CEO of this foundation.
While the specific list of games for the Esports World Cup has not been disclosed yet, it is anticipated to include popular esports titles. The Esports Advocate has reported the commitment of major organizations like G2, Vitality, NiP, 100 Thieves, Guild, LGD, and Falcons to participate in the event, with notable publishers such as Ubisoft and Take-Two Interactive having a presence at The New Global Sport Conference. Further details are expected to be unveiled in the coming weeks.