From Hobby to Global Industry: Riyadh's Esports World Cup Positions Kingdom as a Global Hub for Competitive Gaming
Video games have embarked on an extraordinary journey, transforming from simple entertainment into a multi-billion-dollar global industry. What began on primitive devices in the 1970s has evolved into a massive digital arena watched by millions with elite professionals competing worldwide, culminating in major championships with significant prize pools, such as the Esports World Cup.
The story began with simple screens and brilliant ideas, as early commercial games like Pong paved the way for home entertainment, and with rapid technological advances, platforms like Nintendo, Sega, and Atari introduced interactive environments focused on challenge and imagination. Over time, games diversified, evolving from mere entertainment into a means of honing mental skills. Genres multiplied, from fighting games like Street Fighter and shooters like Call of Duty, to sports games like FIFA and open-world adventures like Grand Theft Auto. Soon, mobile gaming emerged as one of the fastest-growing and most widespread market segments globally.
By the new millennium, high-speed internet enabled competitive play, which eventually evolved into professional leagues broadcast live to millions of viewers on digital platforms. Organizations like ESL and MLG established a global ranking system, creating a professional environment with contracts, sponsorships, salaries, and player transfers. The most significant shift came when esports gained official recognition as a global competition, with continental championships and inclusion in major sporting events.
This shift was cemented by the first-ever Esports World Cup in 2024, launched by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, during Riyadh's New Global Sport Conference in October 2023. The tournament, the largest of its kind, is now an annual event hosted in Riyadh, positioning the Kingdom as a leading destination for global sports competitions and marking a pivotal moment in the sector's history.
Saudi Arabia's efforts extend beyond just hosting. With the support of Vision 2030 programs and the Saudi Esports Federation, the Kingdom is building an effective strategic presence in the industry, developing Saudi players, fostering emerging game development companies, and establishing training academies and career paths in fields like broadcasting, programming, and visual design.
This vision is fully embodied by the Kingdom’s organization of the Esports World Cup 2025 second edition at Boulevard Riyadh City. This global event brings together nearly 2,000 professional players and 200 clubs from over 100 countries, competing in more than 20 electronic games for prizes exceeding $70 million, the highest prize pool in esports history.
According to reports from Newzoo, a games market data and insights company, this industry's revenues exceeded $180 billion in 2024, surpassing the music and film industries combined. With tickets sold for tournaments and significant partnerships being forged, the industry has transformed into a fully-fledged economic environment.
Video games are no longer just a hobby; they have become a pillar of modern culture, a platform for expression, and a field of opportunity for the next generation. Countries are competing for a presence in this global market, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is positioning itself at the forefront, not just as a host, but as a catalyst for innovation and a regional leader building an integrated industry based on passion and knowledge. This positions the Kingdom as an international center that embraces change, drives ambition, and redefines the future of games, sports, and entertainment in a language understood by the world and played by the next generation.
