Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The inaugural Esports World Cup concluded in Riyadh under the esteemed patronage of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Over the past eight weeks, Riyadh became the epicenter of the global esports community, hosting the first-ever Esports World Cup. This landmark event, boasting a total prize pool of over $60 million, attracted approximately 500 teams and 1,500 professional players, making it the largest event in esports history.

In a moment of national pride, the Crown Prince crowned the Saudi club "Team Falcons" as the champions of the Esports World Cup 2024.

The Falcons clinched a total of $7 million in prize money, leading the competition with an impressive 5,665 points earned across 12 tournaments, including first-place finishes in the "Call of Duty: Warzone" and "Free Fire" championships. This victory underscores the Kingdom’s exceptional talent in the esports sector.

The event brought together players, fans, game developers, and publishers from around the world, marking a significant milestone for the esports industry.

The unique multi-game and multi-genre format of the competition not only showcased the world’s top clubs but also advanced the global esports landscape, highlighting the positive impact of esports on communities, enhancing cultural exchange, and encouraging brands to recognize esports as a promising investment opportunity.

The Esports World Cup set record-breaking milestones, attracting over two million visitors and contributing to a 29% increase in visitors to Riyadh during the event period compared to the same timeframe the previous year.

The event featured more than 32 side entertainment and cultural activities, and across its eight-week run, recorded more than 500 million viewers, totaling over 250 million hours watched—setting a new global record for this year.

The gaming and esports sector is among the fastest-growing industries worldwide, with the global market reaching approximately $200 billion in 2023. This success continues the Kingdom’s tradition of hosting major events and activities, solidifying its position as a premier global destination. This includes hosting the Esports World Cup and the recently announced Olympic Esports Games in 2025.