The evolution of sports in Saudi Arabia: Esports lead the charge

The sports landscape in Saudi Arabia is undergoing a remarkable transformation. Traditionally known for its passion for football, equestrian sports, and camel racing, the Kingdom more recently expanded its horizons to include a wide range of sports, including the Dakar Rally, Formula One, Formula E, golf, tennis and… the rapidly growing field of esports. This shift aligns with the broader objectives of Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia’s ambitious blueprint for economic diversification and societal progress, which places a strong emphasis on developing the sports sector.

Historically, sports in Saudi Arabia were limited to a few traditional activities, reflecting the nation’s cultural heritage and societal norms. Football, in particular, has been a dominant sport, with local clubs and the national team enjoying widespread popularity. However, in recent years, there has been a conscious effort to diversify the sports landscape, introducing new sports and promoting physical activities across all demographics. This effort includes the significant investment in infrastructure and the establishment of new sports federations.

Among the most notable developments is the rise of esports, which has quickly gained traction as both a recreational activity and a professional pursuit.

Major investment by Saudi state entities

The National Development Fund in Saudi Arabia has significantly increased its investment in the gaming and esports sector, from approximately $80 million (SAR300 million) in 2022 to around $290 million (SAR1.09 billion) by 2023. This substantial capital infusion aims to provide loans, property financing, and business accelerators to support local talent and stimulate industry growth. The Saudi government’s strong support for the sector has positioned the Kingdom as a key player in the global esports scene.

To further its ambitions, Saudi Arabia has launched the National Gaming and Esports Strategy, involving 20 government and private entities. This strategy includes establishing business incubators, hosting major events, founding educational academies, and developing clear industry regulations. The overarching goal is to transform the gaming and esports sector into a significant contributor to the economy, aiming to generate $13.3 billion (SAR50 billion) and create over 39,000 new jobs.

With a gaming market valued at $1 billion (SAR3.75 billion) in 2023 and projections of $2.67 billion (SAR10 billion) by 2026, Saudi Arabia is rapidly establishing itself as a formidable force in the global gaming and esports industry.

The inclusion of esports marks a significant departure from traditional sports, catering to the digital generation and capitalising on the global popularity of competitive gaming. Saudi Arabia has positioned itself at the forefront of this movement, hosting international esports tournaments and supporting the growth of local talent through initiatives like the Saudi Esports Federation.

The announcement of Saudi Arabia hosting the first-ever Olympic Esports Games in 2025 is a testament to the country’s commitment to esports. This landmark event, a collaboration between the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Saudi Arabia, is set to be a major highlight in the Kingdom’s sports calendar. The decision underscores Saudi Arabia’s burgeoning status as a global hub for esports, a status bolstered by the support of the Crown Prince, HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and the broader Vision 2030 framework.

The Kingdom’s efforts in esports are part of a larger trend towards embracing digital and modern sports. The establishment of the Esports World Cup, taking place in Riyadh this summer with a prize pool of over US$60 million, has further solidified Saudi Arabia’s role in the global esports arena. This event, alongside other international tournaments, not only showcases the country’s state-of-the-art facilities but also its dedication to fostering a thriving esports community.

The eight-week long Esports World Cup, which has a unique cross-game structure pitting the world’s top clubs and players against one another across 22 global competitions in 21 leading games, runs until August 25 at Boulevard Riyadh City. More than 1,500 players, representing over 60 nationalities, are battling it out at the event.

New esport museum opens in Riyadh

Coinciding with the inaugural Esports World Cup in Riyadh this month, the Saudi Esports Federation (SEF) has launched its Legacy Museum at the SEF Arena in Boulevard Riyadh City, celebrating Saudi Arabia’s contributions to the global gaming and esports industry. The museum, free of charge and open daily, showcases key achievements such as the Saudi national team’s success in the Overwatch World Cup 2023 and Mosaad Al Dossary’s FIFAe World Cup 2018 win. It also features interactive exhibits like the “Kingdom Champions” area, reflecting the nation’s growing influence in esports.

“The unveiling of the Saudi Esports Federation Legacy Museum is a milestone moment in the history of our federation and Saudi Arabia’s gaming and esports journey,” said HRH Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan, Chairman of the Saudi Esports Federation. “It celebrates and showcases the passion for gaming in our country and the phenomenal impact and success that Saudi Arabia has had on the global stage in a relatively short space of time. In a country that deeply cherishes history and tradition, it is an honour for us to lay a permanent marker on Kingdom soil epitomising the modern Saudi Arabia.”

Other sections at the Saudi Esports Federation Legacy Museum include a “Heroes” zone, a “Center of the Game” video display, and an interactive area called “Experience the Moment”.

Savvy Games Group at heart of Saudi esports revolution

Savvy Games Group is playing a pivotal role in the burgeoning esports landscape in Saudi Arabia. Fully owned by the Public Investment Fund, Savvy’s strategy is to drive growth by investing in the electronic games industry and esports with a unique long term investment horizon and long dated capital, creating more opportunities for participation and strengthening partnerships in the games industry, as well as improving the user experience.

As a key initiative under the country’s Vision 2030, the group is dedicated to positioning Saudi Arabia as a global leader in gaming and esports. Savvy Games Group has been instrumental in fostering an environment conducive to the growth of the esports industry, aiming to leverage the Kingdom’s vast pool of young talent and passion for gaming.

Launching the group in 2022, HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Chairman of Board of Savvy Games Group, unveiled its strategy: “Savvy Games Group is one part of our ambitious strategy aiming to make Saudi Arabia the ultimate global hub for the games and esports sector by 2030”.

“We are harnessing the untapped potential across the esports and games sector to diversify our economy, drive innovation in the sector and further scale the entertainment and esports competition offerings across the Kingdom,’ he added.

According to Brian Ward, CEO of Savvy Games Group, a Saudi gaming company launched by PIF (Private Investment Fund), the gaming and esports sector is set to contribute more than US$13.32 billion (SR50 billion) to the Kingdom’s GDP by 2030.

As Saudi Arabia continues to invest in sports, including the pioneering field of esports, the nation is poised to become a leading destination for global sports events. This evolution reflects a broader cultural shift towards inclusivity and modernity, positioning the Kingdom as a dynamic player on the international stage.

The upcoming Olympic Esports Games are not just an event; they symbolise a new era for sports in Saudi Arabia, where tradition meets innovation and where the future of sports is being redefined.

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