Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: At the New Global Sport Conference (NGSC) 2024, former football star Patrice Evra made headlines by declaring that esports could grow 10 times bigger than football. Speaking at the Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh during a panel titled “Becoming a Modern Sports Hero”, Evra praised the dedication and popularity driving esports forward.
Joined by Gabriel “FalleN” Toledo, a top Brazilian Counter-Strike II player, the panel explored the mindset and excellence shared by athletes and gamers. Evra noted that esports professionals train up to eight hours daily—far more than most footballers reflecting the discipline required at the highest levels.
Citing the global gaming population of over 3.24 billion, Evra predicted an explosive future for esports, especially among younger generations. He pointed to sold-out arenas like those seen at the Esports World Cup in Riyadh as proof of its momentum.
NGSC 2024, under the theme “The Future of Fandom,” gathers over 60 speakers, 200 CEOs, and 1,200 attendees. It aligns with Saudi Arabia’s National Gaming and Esports Strategy to establish the Kingdom as a global gaming hub by 2030. The conference continues on August 25 with more sessions on technology, storytelling, and the future of competitive gaming.
