Saudi Arabia said on Monday it was launching an annual Esports World Cup that will include the most popular games in the world and have the largest prize pool in esports history. The competition will be held annually in Riyadh starting summer 2024, a statement from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said. Clubs will compete across games from various genres to become the ultimate Esports World Cup champion, it added. The tournament will be complemented by a variety of activities and events, transforming the capital into a gaming hub. It is expected to boost tourism to the kingdom and help fulfil goals set by Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the economy and create jobs in the entertainment sector.
The esports world cup will bring to life the objectives of the kingdom’s National Gaming and Esports Strategy, the crown prince said. The strategy aims to increase the sector’s contribution to the economy by more than SR50 billion ($13.3 billion USD) by 2030, establish 250 game developers and create 39,000 new jobs. The upcoming competition will accelerate the growth of the gaming and esports industry and position the kingdom as a leading global destination for gamers, he added.
While many esports fans are excited about the news, some are concerned about the influx of government money into the event and its impact on the integrity of the sport. Saudi Arabia has been criticised for its regressive policies towards the LGBTQ+ community, women and religious minorities, as well as its crackdown on dissent. It also faces widespread criticism over its role in the assassination of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi last October.
The government has launched a major investment campaign in the gaming and esports industries, including forming tournament organiser conglomerate ESL FACEIT Group, launching a $45m esports festival and buying stakes in multiple major game developers. Some commentators have accused the country of engaging in “esportswashing” to promote its image.
Teams, format and schedule have yet to be announced, but the event’s debut will help Saudi Arabia accelerate its journey to becoming a premier global hub for gaming and esports, the kingdom’s official news agency SPA reported. The esports world cup will be the first of its kind and is expected to have a massive impact on the sector, attracting players and audiences from all around the world.
The announcement comes on the heels of a massive public relations effort by the Saudi Arabian government to promote the event, which will include a series of high-profile activities and events to attract a global audience. However, the world cup is unlikely to change perceptions about the Saudi Arabian regime, which has been criticized for its human rights record and its crackdown on dissent. It remains to be seen whether the competition will be able to overcome these negative perceptions and draw in a large international audience. The choice of whether or not to take part in the competition will be a personal decision for each individual.
