Saudi Arabia’s gaming sector is powering ahead, with imports of video game consoles exceeding 2.4 million units across 2024 and 2025, according to the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority. 

Last year alone, the Kingdom brought in over 1.7 million consoles, with a further 684,489 imported so far this year. China, Japan and the United States emerged as the leading suppliers.

The surge comes as the Kingdom strengthens its digital infrastructure. The Saudi Internet Report 2024, published by the Communications, Space and Technology Commission, recorded an 88% improvement in response times for popular online games, underscoring major network upgrades.

While smart devices remain the most common gaming platform (24.2% of users), PlayStation is a close second (23.8%)—dominating among players aged 10–19, while mobile gaming leads among older demographics. Whiteout Survival, Roblox and Subway Surfers topped the mobile download charts.

Saudi Arabia’s ambitions are also on display at the Esports World Cup, underway in Riyadh until August 24. Featuring more than 2,000 players from over 100 countries competing for $70 million in prizes, the event cements the Kingdom’s bid to become a global hub for gaming and esports.

As part of its national vision, Saudi Arabia plans to establish 250 local game companies, generating 39,000 jobs and boosting the sector’s contribution to the economy to 50 billion riyals by 2030.