Vision 2030: A Sovereign Bet on Esports Supremacy
- Ben Akroyd
- Sep 1
- 2 min read
Updated: Sep 2
Saudi Arabia has rapidly emerged as a global epicenter for esports, fueled by its ambitious Vision 2030 initiative aimed at economic diversification and modernization. With the support of government leadership and sovereign investment, the country is crafting a long-term strategy to dominate the international esports scene. At the heart of this movement is Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud, who chairs the Saudi Esports Federation and serves as Vice Chairman of the powerful Savvy Games Group.
A national esports and gaming authority has been launched to coordinate public and private sector collaboration, set key performance indicators, and guide the kingdom’s roadmap to becoming a global hub for esports. One of the first major milestones was the acquisition of two of the world’s most influential esports tournament operators—ESL and FACEIT—for $1.5 billion in January 2022.
Saudi Arabia's vision goes far beyond event hosting. In 2023, the country debuted the Esports World Cup, a six-week mega tournament held in Riyadh with a staggering $60 million prize pool. This annual festival has already attracted global attention and participation, bolstered by sponsorships from major international brands like Amazon, Mastercard, Sony, and Nestlé.
In addition to headline events, the country is laying the groundwork for a permanent esports infrastructure. This includes Qiddiya, a massive entertainment-focused city under construction just outside Riyadh. Designed as a regional powerhouse for gaming and digital culture, Qiddiya plans to host 10 tournament organizers, 25 game development studios, and 30 esports teams. The Qiddiya Club programme is also offering office space and financial support to help international organizations establish a local presence.
The kingdom’s investment in esports is unmatched globally. With 67% of the population identifying as gamers and an expected 8.9% annual growth in the gaming sector over the next eight years, Saudi Arabia is betting big on digital entertainment as a core part of its future economy.
Industry leaders like Craig Levine, co-CEO of ESL FACEIT Group, have praised the country’s long-term approach, which contrasts with short-term, venture-capital-driven models common in the West. While concerns remain about the centralization of esports within Saudi Arabia, the country's strategy demonstrates the power of sovereign wealth in accelerating industry growth and innovation on a global scale.
