Saudi Arabia’s Esports World Cup, with a $60M prize pool and 500M viewers, set records and boosted the gaming industry under Vision 2030.

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Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia’s inaugural Esports World Cup (EWC) took the gaming world by storm this summer, delivering eye-popping numbers and becoming a beacon for the future of competitive gaming.

If you thought esports was just a niche interest, this mega event in Riyadh probably changed your mind.

Featuring 21 games, more than 500 teams, and a jaw-dropping $60 million prize pool, the EWC became the most-watched esports tournament in 2024, pulling in over 500 million viewers.

However, behind the mind-boggling numbers, the EWC is a part of something even more significant: Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, a plan to diversify the country’s economy away from oil and establish itself as a global hub for tech and innovation.

“Esports Everywhere” – How Saudi Arabia Turned Riyadh into a Gamer’s Paradise

Walking around Riyadh during the Esports World Cup, you would think you had entered a video game-themed version of Disneyland.

“The entire city was branded for EWC,” explained Ralf Reichert, chief executive of the Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF).

Moreover, he was not kidding. The event was possible to attend, from EWC-branded visas to airport billboards possible is attend.

There were even jokes floating around that people were more likely to get lost in the game-themed décor than in the actual streets of Riyadh.

Whether you were grabbing your coffee or watching a Saudi Pro League football match, you would likely see Esports World Cup advertisements or hear live coverage of the games.

Moreover, with 3.5 million peak concurrent viewers tuning in for the League of Legends final, the event drew eyes.

Saudi Arabia’s Gaming Strategy: A Future Built on Pixels and Prizes

Saudi Arabia’s love affair with gaming is not just a one-off.

The Esports World Cup is critical to their broader National Gaming and Esports Strategy.

It aims to increase the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) by $13.3 billion and create 39,000 jobs by 2030.

That is a serious investment into what is often regarded as a hobby.

However, Saudi Arabia is betting big, positioning itself as a central player in the global gaming industry.

Are you hosting the Olympic Esports Games next year?

Check.

Do you own stakes in gaming giants like Activision Blizzard, EA, and Nintendo?

Double-check.

The Gulf state needs to play around.

The EWC and other gaming investments are part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy, which seeks to create a future beyond oil by investing in high-tech industries and attracting younger, tech-savvy visitors.

After all, the Kingdom does not just want to be an oil giant; it wants to be the home of the next-generation esports community.

How the EWC Is Shaping Esports – And Why Other Countries Might Want to Follow

Reichert believes that the Esports World Cup is setting the gold standard for what esports events should look like globally.

“It is bringing real money and visibility to the industry,” he said. Moreover, that is not just a corporate line—real cash flowed into esports organizations and players.

Thanks to the Club Support Program, 30 of the world’s biggest esports clubs found themselves financially stable, with Saudi Arabia effectively offering them a lifeline during a tough year.

Moreover, that stability could not have come at a better time in an industry that has lost 20,000 jobs in the past 12 months.

This has led Reichert to confidently predict that other nations will start following Saudi Arabia’s lead.

Why?

Because esports is no longer a hobby for basement dwellers.

“Esports is the biggest entertainment of the 21st century,” he emphasized.

Moreover, when you think about it, he has got a point.

The energy, excitement, and cash floating around esports today mirrors what traditional sports used to be 50 years ago.

Controversy in the Air: Esportswashing or True Love for Gaming?

Of course, not everything about the EWC was all smiles and controller clicks.

The event faced a boycott from several esports personalities who accused Saudi Arabia of esportswashing—using the glitz and glam of competitive gaming to deflect from criticisms of the country’s human rights record and its stance on LGBTQ+ and women’s rights.

Despite the protest, the tournament continued, attracting millions of viewers and tourists.

Reichert addressed the concerns head-on, emphasizing that the EWC is not just about image polishing.

“It is bringing real change, progress, and financial stability to the industry,” he stated, urging critics to look beyond the headlines and focus on the tangible benefits the EWC has brought to esports.

What is Next for Saudi Arabia and Esports?

The next edition of the Esports World Cup has already been announced for July and August 2025, and Saudi Arabia is promising an even bigger and better event.

Reichert said they plan to “evolve what we are doing,” meaning more games, players, and even more prize money.

This year’s $60 million prize pool might seem massive, but if the Kingdom has its way, that number will likely grow.

Saudi Arabia is also targeting the broader global esports community, with plans to foster long-term growth in the industry.

“We want to unite the games industry,” Reichert said, hinting at future collaborations that could bring even more players and fans into the fold.

While esports is facing market corrections, layoffs, and financial challenges, Reichert is confident that this is a blip on the radar.

He believes these challenges will strengthen the industry in the long run.

“We are not in a place where this is a wasteland. It is the opposite,” he assured.

With Saudi Arabia pushing hard to become the epicenter of competitive gaming, it is clear that the Esports World Cup is here to stay—and grow.

The real question is: Can the rest of the world keep up?