Following the announcement by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that it will host the inaugural Olympic Esports Games in 2025, Saudi Arabia is rapidly emerging as a powerhouse in the global esports industry, driven by ambitious government initiatives and a tech-savvy youth population. With over 23.5 million gaming enthusiasts, representing 67% of the population, the Kingdom is positioning itself as a future hub for competitive gaming.

Esports also constitute an important vector of change within the Saudi society, along with other social reforms implemented after the launch of the Saudi Vision 2030 in 2016, since nearly half of the gamers are female.

A milestone celebrated by H.R.H Princess Reema Bandar Al-Saud, International Olympic Committee (IOC) Member and President of the Women’s Committee, who agreed that “witnessing the growing trends of female participation in esports was very exciting”, adding that she looked “forward to the Olympic Esports Games as an opportunity for more female participation from across the globe in a safe and inclusive space.”

The Saudi Esports Federation (SEF), established in 2017, spearheads this digital revolution. His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan, Chairman of SEF, articulates the vision: ” It’s about creating an ecosystem that nurtures not just competitive skills but personal and professional growth. We’re looking to create a vibrant community where talent development and personal growth go hand in hand.”

The government’s commitment is evident in its substantial investments. The Public Investment Fund (PIF) has allocated $38 billion to position Saudi Arabia as a potential epicentre for the video game industry. This ambitious initiative aims to create 39,000 jobs, establish 250 game developers, and boost the sector’s contribution to the Kingdom’s economy to $13.33 billion by 2030.

Savvy Games Group, owned by the PIF, is actively seeking partnerships with global game developers. Prince Faisal explains, “Game development is our long-term goal; we want to build a global hub for gaming and esports.” The group has already made significant moves, including the acquisition of mobile game developer Scopely for $4.9 billion in 2023.

The Kingdom is not just focusing on game development but also on hosting world-class esports events. The Gamers8 tournament in Riyadh, organized by the SEF, concluded with a record-breaking $45 million prize pool in 2023. Building on this success, Saudi Arabia will host the inaugural Esports World Cup in 2024, further cementing its position in the global esports landscape.

Education and skill development are also key focus areas. “We see gaming as a tool for fostering creativity, strategic thinking, and teamwork,” Prince Faisal notes, highlighting the potential integration of gaming into educational programs.

As Saudi Arabia continues to invest in infrastructure, talent development, and international partnerships, it is poised to become a major player in the global esports arena. With its young population and strategic vision, the Kingdom is not just participating in the esports revolution – it’s aiming to lead it.

This ambition was officially reinforced by the announcement made two days ago, on 13^th July 2024, by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will host the inaugural Olympic Esports Games in 2025.

This historical decision was met with great enthusiasm by His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan, who declared that “Saudi Arabia is hugely excited by the prospect of partnering with the IOC and helping to welcome a completely new era for international sport”, adding that the SEF was “proud to support the writing of a new chapter in Olympic history that has the potential to inspire new dreams and ambitions for literally millions of athletes around the world.” A fervour shared by the President Mr. Thomas Bach and other members of the IOC who found themselves “very fortunate to be able to work with the Saudi NOC on the Olympic Esports Games because it has great – if not unique – expertise in the field of esports with all its stakeholders”, concluding that “the Olympic Esports Games will greatly benefit from this experience.”

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