Saudi Esports Cup to wrap up as business of gaming grows
Hosting the biggest event in esports history with a $60 million prize pool has put Saudi Arabia front and center in the expanding world gaming market
Esports are becoming big business in the Gulf. (Photo: Getty Images)
After an eight-week gaming extravaganza, Saudi Arabia’s inaugural Esports World Cup at Riyadh’s Boulevard City will wrap up this weekend, with four final tournaments and a high-octane closing ceremony planned for Sunday night.
The champions of fighting game Tekken 8 will be crowned this evening, followed by finals for battle royale shooter PUBG, vehicular soccer hybrid Rocket League and racing game ESL R1 on Sunday.
The matches will conclude a marathon event that has featured 22 tournaments across 21 titles, with an estimated 2,500 gamers slogging it out for their share in the $60 million prize pool.
Hosting the biggest event in esports history has put Saudi Arabia front and center in the global gaming market. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, a fan of the Call of Duty zombie military game, has earmarked $38 billion from the Public Investment Fund to help spur on the local industry, with the aim of attracting 250 gaming companies and studios to the kingdom.
While the competition wraps up, Saudi leadership will be turning their focus to the business end of gaming, with the New Global Sports Conference kicking off tomorrow.
More than 60 speakers and 1,200 delegates from the esports, gaming and entertainment industries will converge at Riyadh’s Four Seasons, with the kingdom’s plans to host the Olympic Esports Games from next year high on the agenda.