Esports World Cup Set to Launch in Riyadh
This summer, Riyadh is poised to become a focal point for the global esports community, hosting the Esports World Cup with a record-breaking prize pool exceeding $70 million. The event underscores the nation’s ambition to establish itself as a leading hub for competitive gaming.
A Diverse Range of Games
Scheduled from July 7th to August 24th, the tournament will feature a diverse selection of 24 games. This year’s lineup includes strategic classics like chess, alongside popular shooting games such as Crossfire, Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, and Valorant, promising a broad appeal to players and viewers alike.
Increased Investment in Esports
The substantial prize pool represents a significant increase of $10 million compared to the previous year, highlighting the growing investment and importance placed on esports within the region.
Vision 2030 and Esports
These esports initiatives are integral to the broader Vision 2030 economic diversification plan, with the nation making significant investments across various international sporting events.
Chess Grandmasters to Compete
The event is set to attract top-tier talent, with notable chess grandmasters, including Magnus Carlsen and Arjun Erigaisi, confirmed to participate in this year’s tournament.
Previous Event Success
The previous event garnered significant attention, attracting over 500 million online viewers and 2.6 million visitors to Riyadh’s Boulevard City.
Significant Investment in the Sector
To date, the nation has invested a substantial $38 billion into the esports sector through its Public Investment Fund (PIF) subsidiary, Savvy Games Group.
Recent Acquisitions
Further demonstrating its commitment, PIF-owned Scopely recently acquired Niantic Labs’ video game division, the creator of Pokémon Go, for $3.5 billion.
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