RIYADH — Joypads at the ready...gamers, assemble! Gamers Without Borders — the world’s biggest charity esports festival — is back, and its action officially gets under way later Monday!

A year on since its ground-breaking debut hosting, the $10million COVID-19 fundraiser reopens its virtual doors for the first of its community tournaments as 2021’s nine-week gaming extravaganza begins.

Open to every gamer on the planet, Gamers Without Borders’ online community tournaments are where the world comes together to compete on the biggest titles in gaming, all in the name of the greater good.

Running across the entirety of the summer festival (June 7–Aug. 8), the community tournaments will feature daily marathon, Game of the Week, and play-as-you-go competitions, where gamers will be able to go head-to-head both as lone players and in teams — and win almost $1million-worth of prizes.

This summer’s event gets under way Monday night with marathons on Fortnite, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War (Gunfight), PUBG MOBILE and Clash Royale.

Tournaments on Mortal Kombat 11, Overwatch and Rocket League begin at the same time too, while FIFA 21, Fortnite and Call of Duty also launch Monday for play-as-you-go matches.

To get involved, gamers should head to www.gamerswithoutborders.com, where they can sign-up to play in all tournaments, right up until they begin.

In addition to the those starting Monday, registration is also open for Gamers Without Borders’ second round of community tournaments: marathons on Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War (teams) and Street Fighter V, plus Game of the Week tournaments on Apex Legends and DOTA2. All that action gets under way on Thursday.

Gamers Without Borders’ world-famous $10million elite series will begin next week, with organizers planning a global launch event that promises to feature A-list superstar names and unmissable live entertainment.

Running over six of the festival’s nine weeks, Gamers Without Borders’ elite series is where the world’s best esports athletes, teams and franchises go head-to-head for a share of the festival’s mammoth charity prize-fund — money they then donate directly to humanitarian organisations leading the fight against COVID-19.

This year being held under the theme of ‘No One Left Behind’, all that money — plus viewer and gamer donations — will go towards vaccine distribution to those living in the world’s most vulnerable nations.

Prince Faisal Bin Bandar Bin Sultan, chairman of organizers the Saudi Esports Federation, said: “It’s been over a year but we’re now all systems go for the second edition of Gamers Without Borders and can’t wait to welcome the world through our doors and into our virtual festival once again.” — SG