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Saudi Arabia, under the leadership of Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman, has unveiled ambitious plans to host an annual Esports World Cup, set to kick off in the summer of 2024.
This landmark announcement was made during The New Global Sport Conference in Riyadh, where the country expressed its intention to position itself as a global epicenter for gaming and esports.
The Esports World Cup initiative is designed to replace the previous Gamers8 event, which took place earlier this year and featured a substantial prize pool of over $45 million distributed across various esports tournaments.
We are future-hosting, world-racing 🌍
The key highlights of the Esports World Cup that has been shared
through #NGSC2023 🤩 pic.twitter.com/41e2D5P6gT— الاتحاد السعودي للرياضات الإلكترونية (@Saudi_Esports) October 23, 2023
Saudi Arabia has been making significant strides in the esports and gaming realm in recent years.
This includes the development of NEOM, a futuristic city, which some view as part of the government’s efforts to improve its international image.
The Western world has criticized the country for its human rights issues and anti-LGBTQ+ laws, making these initiatives part of a broader strategy known as “sportswashing.”
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman sees the Esports World Cup as a “natural next step” to establish Saudi Arabia as the premier global hub for gaming and esports.
“The competition will enhance our progress towards realizing the Vision 2030 objectives of diversifying the economy, growing the tourism sector, creating new jobs in various industries, and providing world-class entertainment for citizens, residents, and visitors alike,” Salman said.
In addition to announcing the Esports World Cup, Saudi Arabia introduced the Esports World Cup Foundation, which aims to make a lasting impact on the gaming ecosystem.
Ralf Reichert, Chairman of ESL FACEIT, has been appointed as the CEO of the foundation.
While the specific lineup of games for the Esports World Cup has yet to be revealed, the event is expected to feature major esports titles.
Several prominent organizations, including G2 Esports, Team Vitality, Ninjas in Pyjamas, 100 Thieves, Guild, LGD, and Falcons, have already committed to participating.
Notably, major publishers such as Ubisoft and Take-Two Interactive attended The New Global Sport Conference, suggesting a high level of industry support.
Further details about the event are anticipated to be disclosed in the coming weeks.
This ambitious esports endeavour aims to draw global attention and catapult Saudi Arabia into the forefront of the esports landscape.
As the Esports World Cup takes shape, it will be closely watched for its potential to significantly impact the esports world while simultaneously addressing broader economic and tourism objectives.
