Saudi Arabia is rapidly emerging as a global leader in the esports, gaming, and digital entertainment sectors, a cornerstone of its economic diversification strategy, Vision 2030. The Kingdom’s ambitious plan aims to shift its economy away from oil dependency and position itself at the forefront of the global gaming industry.
The goals of this initiative are substantial: to establish 250 local game companies, create 39,000 jobs, and boost the gaming sector’s contribution to Saudi Arabia’s GDP to 50 billion riyals by 2030. This strategic pivot is supported by significant investments in gaming infrastructure and events.
The centerpiece of this effort is the inaugural Esports World Cup (EWC), held in Riyadh in 2025. Billed as the largest gathering in esports history, the EWC features a staggering $70+ million prize pool, bringing together 200 clubs and 2,000 players to compete across 25 tournaments and 24 different games. A major highlight was the victory of the Saudi Arabian esports club, Team Falcons, which won the Overwatch Champion Series Midseason Championship at the event.
Beyond hosting major tournaments, Saudi Arabia’s strategy focuses on building a sustainable, long-term gaming ecosystem. This includes nurturing local game studios, securing publishing rights for popular games, and investing in next-generation technologies like augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and artificial intelligence (AI). By doing so, the nation is transitioning from being merely a consumer of gaming content to a major global producer.