Saudi Arabia will host the first-ever Esports World Cup in 2024.
Mohammed bin Salman, the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, unveiled the event at the new global sports conference held in Riyadh, the country’s capital, on Monday.
The competition will include the most popular games in the world and is set to have the largest prize pot in Esports history.
The tournament will be held annually in Riyadh starting in 2024.
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Esports clubs worldwide will compete in different games covering various genres to become the ultimate Esports World Cup champion.
“The Esports World Cup is the natural next step in Saudi Arabia’s journey to become the premier global hub for gaming and esports, offering an unmatched esports experience that pushes the boundaries of the industry,” bin Salman said.
“The competition will enhance our progress toward 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.”
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More details on the competition will be revealed in the initial months of 2024 by Saudi’s Esports World Cup Foundation.
The upcoming event is one of the numerous ways the Saudi government continues diversifying the country’s economy through investment in sports and gaming.
The Saudi Pro League has enjoyed increased followership among global football fans since Arabian clubs began splurging to lure superstars to the Gulf nation.
Cristiano Ronaldo joined Al-Nassr FC in 2022. The move led to an influx of other footballing big names into the league.
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Karim Benzema and Ngolo Kante joined Al-Ittihad FC, while Sadio Mane, Riyad Mahrez and Jordan Henderson also moved to the country.
Saudi had also announced its intention to bid for the hosting rights of the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
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