Saudi Arabia plans eSports World Cup with massive prize pool

This groundbreaking online tournament, touted as the largest of its kind, is poised to firmly establish Saudi Arabia's presence in the global eSports industry and is anticipated to generate 39,000 eSports-related job opportunities by the year 2030.

Crown Prince MBS, known to be an enthusiastic Call of Duty gamer, has been at the forefront of advocating for investments in the eSports sector in recent years. Since his ascension, the nation has acquired a significant stake of over $3billion in US video game developers, including Activision Blizzard Inc., the creator of the renowned Call of Duty franchise.

"The eSports World Cup is the natural next step in Saudi Arabia's journey to become the premier global hub for gaming and esports, offering an unmatched eSports experience that pushes the boundaries of the industry," the crown prince said.

"The competition will enhance our progress toward realising the Vision 2030 objectives of diversifying the economy, growing the tourism sector, creating new jobs in various industries, and providing world-class entertainment for citizens, residents, and visitors alike."

Notably, last year, the kingdom declared a substantial $38billion investment strategy for the Savvy Games Group, which is under the ownership of the Public Investment Fund.

These strategic moves underscore Saudi Arabia's ambitions to become a key player in the ever-growing eSports landscape, attracting attention from gamers and investors alike.