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The eight-week Esports World Cup aims to establish Saudi Arabia as an international gaming hotspot – nothing will be left to chance.
At least in one respect everything is as always: at least the commercial part of e-sports continues to be defined by the amount of prize money distributed. The Esports World Cup 2024 in the Saudi capital Riyadh attracts the participating teams with “life-changing money” in a record volume of 60 million dollars (around 56 million euros).
With regard to the dimensions, interviews and statements deliberately draw parallels and comparisons to the Olympics and the World Cup: Over the next eight weeks, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is expecting more than 1,500 professional players (or 'athletes' in industry jargon) and 2,500 coaches and officials from 100 countries, who will find the best conditions, a lavish excursion program, shuttle services and bulging goodie bags. Aside from the tournaments, spectators will be offered an accompanying festival with gaming stations, competitions and shows. Brands such as Adidas, Honor, Pepsi, Sony, TikTok and LG are among the sponsors and partners of the organizers.
The tournament – at the end of which a cross-discipline trophy will be awarded to the best organization on August 25 – will feature 20 market-leading e-sports games, from Rainbow Six Siege above Apex Legends, Rocket League, EA Sports FC 24 and PUBG Battlegrounds up to League of Legends and Counter Strike 2.
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The fact that Saudi Arabia is hosting such a major event for the first time and from now on every year is due not least to the billion-dollar takeover of the Cologne-based tournament and league organizer ESL and the subsequent merger to form the ESL Faceit Group. The Esports World Cup Foundation, led by ESL founder Ralf Reichert, therefore not only has the necessary financial resources, but can also rely on event-experienced specialists and the appropriate infrastructure.
With the e-sports world championship, the Arab country wants to finally establish itself as a serious factor in the global gaming cosmos: In recent years, the sovereign wealth fund has strategically invested in major game manufacturers, including Electronic Arts, Take-Two Interactive, Capcom, Activision Blizzard, Embracer Group and Nintendo.
The Esports World Cup is part of a charm and investment offensive with which Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman wants to attract tourists to the air-conditioned halls and hotels in addition to superstars such as Ronaldo and Neymar. Human rights situation at the venue clears Organizer Reichert that there is justified criticism in many places – “but in many places it is simply ignorance and unjustified criticism.”
The matches of the Esports World Cup 2024 will be broadcast worldwide and therefore also in Germany by DAZN – free of charge (registration or account required). Selected games can also be seen on Sport1.