Esports World Cup in Saudi Arabia with a $60 mln prize
Last updated: 22 October 2026. Was Saudi Arabia becoming the new global hub for esports? The Kingdom’s inaugural Esports World Cup in Riyadh, featuring a groundbreaking $60 million prize pool, ran from 3 July to 25 August 2024 and was presented at the time as the emphatic answer to that question.
The Esports World Cup ran from 3 July to 25 August 2024 at Riyadh Boulevard City and showcased the largest prize pool in the industry’s history, distributed across four competitive categories. The elite competition, initiated by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was designed to elevate the gaming level and to advance Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 objectives, which included diversifying the economy and boosting tourism.
“The Esports competition will enhance our progress towards realizing the Vision 2030 objectives of diversifying the economy, growing the tourism sector, creating new jobs in various industries, and providing world-class entertainment for citizens, residents, and visitors alike,” MBS was quoted as saying at the time.
EA Sports: A Monumental Gaming Event
The event hosted over 1,500 players from 30 esports clubs competing in 21 gaming titles, including popular games such as Apex Legends, Call of Duty, and Tekken 8, and it delivered intense competition and high stakes. The unique cross-game club championship format allowed clubs to compete across multiple games, gathering points and vying for a significant portion of the prize money.
E-sports Cultural and Economic Impacts
Beyond the screens and leaderboards, the event was presented as part of a wider economic strategy. The figures of a $13.3 billion contribution to GDP and 39,000 jobs were not results of this event: they were 2030 targets set out in the National Gaming and Esports Strategy launched in 2022, which aimed for the gaming and esports sector as a whole to contribute $13.3 billion to Saudi Arabia’s GDP and create 39,000 jobs by 2030. The strategy formed part of a broader move to reduce oil dependency by leveraging the rapidly growing global esports market, reflecting wider economic and cultural transformations within the Kingdom.
A Festival of Gaming and Culture
Visitors enjoyed more than just tournaments. The event was packed with gaming activations, community events, and pop culture celebrations, making it a comprehensive festival of entertainment. This aligned with efforts to enhance visitor experiences during the typically quieter summer months, tackling the seasonal downturn in the tourism and hospitality sectors.
An Enriched Entertainment Experience
The Esports World Cup was also a stage for world class musical performances. Highlighting that rich entertainment line-up was the renowned Lebanese singer Nancy Ajram, who performed at the Abu Bakr Salem Theater on August 15. Nancy Ajram, known for her captivating music and dynamic performances, shared the stage with talented Saudi singer Ayed, in what was billed as an unforgettable night of entertainment.
Moreover, the Esports World Cup period saw performances from other major artists such as Majid Al Mohandes and Tamer Hosny, which enhanced the festive atmosphere with a mix of local and international music stars. Those concerts, combined with the gaming competition, solidified Riyadh’s status as a burgeoning cultural and entertainment capital.
KitKat, Adidas, STC Group, FIFA, Sony and Rocket League were among the official partners of the EWC.
The Esports World Cup in Riyadh was not merely a tournament; it was a strategic showcase of Saudi Arabia’s burgeoning commitment to esports and the broader entertainment industries. With global giants such as KitKat, Adidas, and Sony as partners, the event was set to be a landmark in both the esports world and Saudi Arabia’s cultural calendar. As the Kingdom prepared to host major global events, the Esports World Cup was presented as a possible precursor to Saudi Arabia’s future as a premier host nation on the world stage.
The event represented a pivotal moment in esports and marked a significant step in the cultural and economic evolution of Saudi Arabia.