Once considered a niche pastime, electronic sports (eSports) is now a multibillion-dollar global industry, drawing millions of viewers and professional players. Competitive video gaming now fills stadiums, garners broadcast deals, and attracts major sponsorships. Games such as League of Legends, Counter-Strike, and Dota 2 have become the centerpieces of international tournaments, offering prize pools that rival traditional sports.
Globally, the eSports audience surpassed 700 million viewers in 2024, with Asia, North America, and Europe leading the market. Streaming platforms like Twitch and YouTube Gaming have transformed gaming into a mainstream form of entertainment, where gamers become celebrities and content creators in their own right.
In the Middle East, eSports is surging, with the likes of Saudi Arabia and the UAE investing heavily in gaming infrastructure, talent development, and international tournaments. From 8 July to 24 August, Saudi Arabia hosts the 2025 eSports World Cup (EWC) in Riyadh. A turning point for the region, it features 25 competitions across 24 games and a record-breaking $70 million prize pool—the largest in eSports history.
Backed by Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, the event underscores the country’s ambitions to diversify its economy and position itself as a global digital and eSports hub. Major titles like Dota 2, Valorant, League of Legends, PUBG Mobile, and even chess draw elite teams and millions of fans worldwide.
With its youthful population, a strong digital infrastructure, government backing, and a growing talent pool, the region is poised to become a key player in the global eSports arena, turning a global trend into a regional opportunity.
