Saudi Arabia's Qiddiya, a colossal real estate project, has inked a three-year partnership with the multi-title esports competition, the Esports World Cup (EWC).
Under this agreement, the Qiddiya Gaming & Esports District will serve as the venue for the Esports World Cup once construction is finalized. Additionally, for the 2024 edition, Qiddiya City will be the presenting partner for EWC's Elite Player Lounge and Qiddiya Esports Arena.
The Elite Player Lounge will provide EWC competitors with a dedicated space for training, relaxation, socialization, and match preparation. Qiddiya Gaming will also have its own zones around the competition venues to showcase the Gaming & Esports District project.
The inaugural Esports World Cup is scheduled to be held later this year in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Both Qiddiya and the Esports World Cup Foundation are initiatives backed by the Saudi Arabian government as part of the Vision 2030 program to diversify the country's economy.
Qiddiya's gaming district was unveiled in December 2023, with former Team Liquid COO Mike Milanov leading the project's esports and gaming developments. This entertainment-focused real estate project was first introduced in 2019.
As part of Saudi Arabia's push to establish itself as an esports hub, significant investments have been made in the industry, including the acquisition and formation of the ESL FACEIT Group. However, these moves have drawn criticism from certain segments of the community.
The Esports World Cup lineup includes popular titles such as Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Dota 2, Rainbow Six Siege, Counter-Strike 2, and PUBG Mobile, among others.
In addition to partnering with Esports World Cup, the Qiddiya Gaming & Esports District has launched 'Elite Esports Bootcamps,' facilities capable of accommodating up to 20 esports organizations simultaneously for training and competition preparation.
Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation, expressed excitement about the collaboration with Qiddiya City, emphasizing the progress of the construction site and the honor of making Qiddiya City the home of the Esports World Cup in the coming years.
