In recent years, Saudi Arabia has continuously expanded its esports industry. Its National Gaming and Esports Strategy aims to create 39,000 jobs and contribute $13.3 billion to the GDP by the decade’s end.

Major events like the inaugural Olympic Esports Games are set to take place in Riyadh in 2027, a significant milestone for both esports and the Olympic Movement.

For the second year in a row, the kingdom is also the official destination partner for the 2025 Esports World Cup. This year’s edition surpasses the 2024 inaugural audition, which welcomed 2.6 million visitors. 

Expanded programming, larger venues, and early travel packages have helped drive strong international interest, with 40% of ticket sales coming from global fans. 

The 2025 tournament includes 25 competitions, featuring 2,000 elite players and 200 clubs from over 100 countries. It also offers the largest prize pool in esports history, exceeding $70 million.

Highlights include Tencent’s King’s World Cup (KWC), which features 18 teams and a $3 million prize pool, and the League of Legends tournament, which features 12 teams and a $2 million prize pool. Other titles include PUBG, Call of Duty, Valorant, StarCraft, and more.

Though the kingdom has become a global leader in esports in recent years, gaming itself is far from new to its culture—it’s embedded within it. What was once primarily a national hobby has become a significant economic contributor and a thriving industry.

DRIVERS OF GROWTH

Mohammad Al Nimer, Chief Commercial Officer at the Esports World Cup Foundation, says the kingdom’s esports growth is “activated across the ecosystem through investment in infrastructure, grassroots development, international events like the Esports World Cup, and support for education and career pathways in gaming.” 

He adds that this combination of national ambition and on-the-ground execution is what’s setting Saudi Arabia apart.

Similarly, Muhammad Lela, Content and Communications Manager at Saudi Gamer, Gaming Partnerships Manager at Webedia Arabia, emphasizes the role of major events led by government entities such as the Esports World Cup, alongside contributions from the private sector and grassroots community efforts, as drivers of growth. 

“It’s important to recognize that the population is a key factor: most Saudis are gamers. Gaming is one of the most popular, if not the most popular, hobbies in the kingdom,” he says.

According to PwC, around 67% of Saudi Arabia’s population—equivalent to 23.5 million people—are gamers. The 2023 Saudi Gaming Market Outlook Report further reveals that 53% of casual gamers in the kingdom spend over five hours per week playing games.

Thamer AlDairem, gaming content creator and PlayStation Playmaker at Sony Interactive Entertainment, also attributes this growth to the Saudi population’s passion for video games.

The love for gaming and video games in Saudi Arabia began with the introduction of the first consoles. We used to have these small tournaments that used to be organized in malls back in the day, with small prizes. These tournaments increased the spirit of competition in videogames in Saudi Arabia.” 

INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS

Saudi Arabia’s major gaming investments also focus on physical and digital infrastructure. Projects like NEOM are developing dedicated gaming campuses and studios, while Qiddiya City is set to become a large-scale entertainment and esports hub. 

On the digital front, partnerships with cloud giants such as AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Huawei are enabling developers to build and scale games more efficiently.

Al Nimer highlights that Saudi Arabia has made swift and significant strides in developing world-class infrastructure to fuel esports growth. 

This includes cutting-edge venues like Boulevard City, now home to the Esports World Cup. The venue features multiple arenas, stages, and studios designed for gaming and live production. It has attracted over 200 teams and 2,000 players worldwide to Riyadh.

“But it goes beyond physical venues,” he says. Saudi Arabia invests heavily in connectivity, logistics, and digital infrastructure to support local talent and international tournaments. These investments are foundational to a long-term commitment to making Saudi Arabia the home of global esports.”

According to Lela, the kingdom’s investments encompass digital infrastructure, high-speed internet, and the creation of purpose-built venues designed to host large-scale audiences. Beyond physical infrastructure, Saudi Arabia also emphasizes the development of human capital.

“The kingdom is home to highly qualified professionals in event management broadly, and experts specifically trained in the gaming and eSports sectors,” he says. “The focus extends beyond enhancing digital infrastructure and venue readiness—it also includes empowering human resources to manage and deliver world-class events.”

ATTRACTING TALENT

Saudi Arabia also has a steadily growing talent pool, setting up the kingdom for success. Standout figures such as Mosaed “MSdossary7” Al-Dossary—a FIFA eWorld Cup champion and founder of Team Falcons—exemplify the country’s growing potential. 

Recent achievements, including the Saudi Rocket League team’s victory led by rising stars TRK (Mohammed AlOtaibi), RW9 (Saleh Abdullah), and Kiilleerz (Yazzed Abdullah), highlight the remarkable skill of Saudi youth under the age of 20.

Al Nimer says the kingdom is unique in its approach, as it is working to both attract top international talent and cultivate local talent.

“Through initiatives like the EWC Club Partner Program and the expansion of local events, the country has become a magnet for top international players, with elite Clubs and athletes competing for record prize pools and long-term opportunities.”

At the same time, he explains, programs aimed at nurturing homegrown talent are gaining momentum—from esports curricula in schools and universities to support for young female streamers and emerging regional teams.

The kingdom has all the essential ingredients to effectively fulfill this role, maintaining a strong balance between local and international priorities, says Lela. “Local and international players benefit from equal access to opportunities, privileges, and training programs, with no regulatory distinctions based on nationality, race, gender, or background.”

AlDairem highlights one of the more compelling factors: the prize pool. Saudi Arabia’s inaugural Esports World Cup in 2024 offered a $60 million prize pool, which increased to $70 million in 2025.

“Everybody in the world wants to come to Saudi Arabia for a chance at a prize that big,” he notes. “Foreign players are applying to esports teams like Falcons to compete in the Esports World Cup. These teams offer dedicated facilities where players can train, collaborate, and refine their skills together.”

CELEBRATING CULTURE

Saudi Arabia also places a strong emphasis on developing culturally authentic content that resonates with local and regional audiences. Growing efforts are to create games that reflect the kingdom’s heritage and values. Companies such as UMX are at the forefront of this movement, producing titles rooted in local themes.

Al Nimer says the kingdom blends its deep-rooted culture and heritage with a bold vision for the future, and esports is becoming a vibrant part of that journey. 

“The kingdom’s long-standing traditions continue to shape a unique national identity, even as the country rapidly opens up new avenues in entertainment, tourism, and youth engagement.” 

“The Esports World Cup is a shining example of this transformation, showcasing Saudi Arabia’s growing role as a global hub for innovation, creativity, and cultural exchange,” he adds.