Taking hold of the controls
The immense potential of esports in Saudi Arabia
Esports has quickly become a multi-billion-dollar industry. And with around 70% of all Saudis identifying as gamers, the Saudi Esports Federation has implemented a series of initiatives as the Kingdom advances its ambition of becoming a global gaming hub.
A young Kingdom with serious game
With 63% of Saudis under the age of 30, Saudi Arabia is one of the most youthful nations in the world. The vast majority have grown up with gaming and esports in their lives, leading to around 23.5 million gaming enthusiasts in the Kingdom. More than ten million of them, or 48%, are women.
Having expanded exponentially over the past few years, Saudi Arabia’s gaming and esports industry is an environment for investment as much as entertainment due to its projected market value of $6.8 billion by 2030. Saudi Arabia’s National Gaming and Esports Strategy aims to contribute around $13 billion to the Kingdom’s GDP in the same period and lead to the creation of 39,000 new job opportunities.
Recognizing the industry’s immense potential, the Saudi Esports Federation (SEF) is working with government officials and industry experts to capitalize on its inevitable growth. As part of this agenda, it is championing the ambition, talent, and skillset of young Saudis, who are set to become the future athletes and leaders of the gaming world.
For the players and their potential
Since its establishment in 2017, SEF has been the regulating body in charge of advancing the gaming industry through two lines of work. The first aims to develop the value chain through global investment and new talent. While the second works to nurture the entire gaming community—from entry-level gamers to esports professionals.
As His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan, Chairman of SEF, explained at a gaming event, “It’s not just about business; it’s about the gamers. As long as we keep that in mind and we’re a part of that global community, that’s when we’ll start to take strides and change perceptions.”
To stay true to this philosophy, the federation organizes world-class national and international tournaments, including Gamers8—the biggest gaming and esports festival worldwide. Running for eight weeks throughout July and August and featuring 16 elite tournaments, it sees the world’s best teams and players descend on Riyadh throughout the summer.
SEF also hosts multiple events to attract private investment and development opportunities, like Next World Forum (NWF).
Next in the wonderful world of gaming
NWF was designed to catalyze the momentum of gaming and esports as it became the world’s fastest-growing media sub-sector. Now, in its second year, it will build on the success of the 2022 forum and reaffirm itself as a core date on the global gaming calendar.
Uniting more than 1,000 leaders and experts from around the world—with more expected this year—the event fosters a culture of enquiry, collaboration, and knowledge sharing. It creates an environment where new models of working can be debated, discussed, and developed to create a positive impact on the industry.
Held over two days (30 -31 August) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the 2023 NWF will bring together global sports ministers and investors, gamers and developers, private and public sector representatives, advertisers and publishers, federations and leagues to shape the future agenda of gaming and esports.
Attendees will have the opportunity to join a series of activations, keynote presentations, and panel discussions to understand the latest and next industry movements. These will include the relationship between esports and the Olympics, the challenges facing women in gaming leadership, and the mental and physical health of esports players.
NWF marks a huge milestone in the development of the gaming industry and its associated sectors. Through a universal dialogue, it will help forge a vibrant, affluent, and collaborative ecosystem—one where Saudi Arabia fully demonstrates its expertise, leadership, and passion for esports as it aims to become the world’s gaming powerhouse.
