Saudi Esports Federation Partners With Yalla Group for 2026

The Saudi Esports Federation (SEF) has partnered with Yalla Group Limited, appointing the company as the official event partner for the Saudi eLeagues 2026, the Kingdom’s flagship national esports competition. The partnership has been formalized through two agreements focused on competition delivery, talent development, and Saudi esports growth.

Under the first agreement, Yalla Group will serve as an event partner for the Saudi eLeagues 2026, which will feature tournaments across 11 titles: 

• Counter-Strike 2 (CS2)
• Dota 2
• League of Legends (LoL)
• VALORANT
• Rainbow Six Siege
• Overwatch 2
• Rocket League
• PUBG Mobile
• Call of Duty: Mobile (CoDM)
• Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB)
• eFootball

The federation emphasized that Yalla Group should not be confused with Yalla Esports, which filed for liquidation last year.

Saudi eLeagues 2026 to Expand Talent and Women’s Competition

The second agreement establishes a Talent Development Program with the Saudi Esports Academy. This is aimed at training and mentoring Saudi players through structured coaching, practical experience, and professional preparation. The program is positioned as a pathway to strengthen Saudi representation in international esports competitions.

The 2026 season will also place a stronger emphasis on expanding the Women’s Saudi eLeague, with the stated objective of increasing female participation in competitive gaming. The aim is to offer more opportunities and a supportive environment, and is an area that has drawn international attention.

Ibrahim Alsheddi, Chief Shared Services Officer at the Saudi Esports Federation, said the partnership brings “valuable regional expertise” and is “crucial for amplifying the league’s prestige and ensuring it delivers a world-class experience for players and fans.” 

Yalla Group President Saifi Ismail stated that the collaboration supports both national competition and talent development as part of building a sustainable esports ecosystem.

The announcement follows recent SEF initiatives, including the opening of an ESL FACEIT Group regional headquarters in Riyadh and an agreement with Riot Games signed in October 2025, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s broader Vision 2030 gaming and esports strategy.