State of Gaming and Esports in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia has rapidly transformed into a global gaming and esports powerhouse, driven by significant government investment and its Vision 2030 diversification goals. Around 67% of the kingdom’s approximately 35 million residents are gamers, according to Boston Consulting Group, giving Saudi Arabia one of the world’s highest gaming penetration rates. Major cities like Riyadh and Jeddah host events such as the Esports World Cup, which in 2025 featured a $70 million prize pool, setting a global record for esports. While the exact number of visitors to the event hasn’t been officially confirmed, its scale and international impact are well documented.

Esports thrives in Saudi Arabia with strong followings for titles including FIFA (EA FC), PUBG Mobile, and Fortnite. The 2025 Esports World Cup and past flagship tournaments have attracted millions of viewers for their peak events. Saudi Arabia has produced notable talent, particularly in FIFA esports. Mosaad "Msdossary" Al-Dossary became the first Saudi to win the FIFA eWorld Cup in 2018. In multiple esports titles including Dota 2, PUBG Mobile, and Counter Strike 2, Team Falcons, a Saudi organization, has seen international success..

Saudi Arabia’s gaming culture is strongly mobile-first, with about 84% of Saudi adults playing mobile games, indicating high mobile penetration. Female participation is rising, with women comprising 48% of gamers in Saudi Arabia, according to the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. Initiatives such as Girls Convention (GCON) have supported female talent since 2012 and continue to play a major role.

The kingdom drives gaming innovation through the Savvy Games Group, backed by a $38 billion Public Investment Fund commitment. Notable acquisitions include ESL for approximately $1.05 billion, Scopely for $4.9 billion and Niantic’s games business (Pokémon GO, Pikmin Bloom) for $3.5 billion. Streaming platforms such as Twitch and YouTube, along with local content creators, continue to amplify esports engagement.

Saudi Arabia’s government has formally elevated gaming and esports to a national priority. The 2022 launch of the National Gaming and Esports Strategy (NGES) set ambitious goals: to create 39,000 jobs and contribute $13.3 billion to GDP by 2030. Gaming is now recognized as a pillar industry within Vision 2030, with significant backing from the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. Flagship programs like IGNITE, which boasts $1.1 billion in funding and robust developer incentives, drive content creation and talent development. Saudi Arabia is set to host the inaugural Olympic Esports Games in 2027, further cementing its global leadership. Tax breaks and vast infrastructure investments (including Qiddiya's world-first dedicated esports district) support major events such as the Esports World Cup.

Education Initiatives

Saudi Arabia is rapidly advancing gaming education through comprehensive initiatives spanning academia, government programs, and private partnerships. The Game Changers initiative, a collaboration between the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and DigiPen Institute of Technology, focuses on fostering entrepreneurial talent and technical skills in game development. This program represents part of the kingdom's broader educational transformation under Vision 2030.

More than 20 universities now offer esports and gaming-related courses, covering disciplines from game design and programming to esports management and broadcasting. The Saudi Esports Federation's dedicated academy trains young competitive players, providing structured pathways from amateur to professional esports careers.

Competitive platforms like the University Esports League engage thousands of students in popular titles including Valorant, FIFA, and League of Legends, creating practical experience that bridges academic learning with industry demands.

Notable Esports Tournaments

Saudi Arabia hosts premier gaming and esports events, including:

• Esports World Cup

• PUBG Mobile World Championship

• FIFA eWorld Cup

• Next World Forum

• Saudi Esports League

Notable Esports Organizations

Some of the most notable esports organizations in Saudi Arabia include:

• Team Falcons

• Twisted Minds

• POWR

• NAFES

• Xentrics Gaming

National Associations and Federations

Saudi Esports Federation

The Saudi Esports Federation drives industry growth by overseeing major events such as the Esports World Cup and fostering talent development through national championships and training programs.

National Gaming and Esports Strategy

The National Gaming and Esports Strategy, aligned with Vision 2030, promotes economic and cultural advancement by supporting infrastructure, investments and international collaborations in the gaming and esports ecosystem.