(Esports news) Saudi Arabia announced on Monday the creation of an annual Esports World Cup, which will feature the world’s most popular games and the highest prize pool in esports history. According to a statement issued by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the competition would be hosted yearly in Riyadh beginning in the summer of 2024.
According to the announcement, clubs will battle across games from numerous genres to become the ultimate Esports World Cup champion. Sports, esports, and gaming have all been included in the crown prince’s Vision 2030 transformation plan, in which the government is investing hundreds of billions of dollars to diversify the kingdom’s economy and reduce its dependency on oil.
Last year, Saudi Arabia’s Savvy Games Group, which is backed by the government wealth fund PIF, announced plans to invest 142 billion riyals ($37.8 billion) in programs aimed at creating Saudi Arabia a worldwide gaming hotspot. The kingdom intends to establish 250 gaming enterprises in the country, creating 39,000 employment and increasing the sector’s contribution to Saudi GDP to 50 billion riyals by 2030.
“The Esports World Cup is the natural next step in Saudi Arabia’s journey to become the premier global hub for gaming and esports, offering an unmatched esports experience that pushes the boundaries of the industry,” the crown prince was cited as saying in the announcement. He stated that the competition will aid in the achievement of Vision 2030 objectives by enhancing tourism, creating jobs, and providing entertainment for locals and visitors.
