Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – August 24, 2024 – The New Global Sport Conference 2024 (NGSC) kicked off in Riyadh, underscoring Saudi Arabia’s ambition to be recognized as a leading global hub for gaming and esports. The conference brought together over 1,200 industry leaders, sports professionals, and entertainment figures under the theme ‘The Future of Fandom’ to explore the next chapter in esports and gaming.
Held at the Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh At Kingdom Center, the event’s opening day featured impactful discussions on the future of esports, gaming, sports, and entertainment. Among the key sessions was ‘Game On, Saudi Arabia,’ which highlighted the Kingdom’s strategic vision for the esports sector. HRH Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan, Chairman of the Saudi Esports Federation and Vice Chairman of the Esports World Cup Foundation, emphasized the country’s goal to be an essential part of the global conversation about esports.
“What do we mean by a global hub for gaming and esports? It doesn’t mean that we’re going to be the only place in the world that does this or that, or we plan to take over or invest in everything,” Prince Faisal remarked. “It is simply that when you talk about esports, there are certain places in the world that come to the top of your mind. We want Saudi Arabia to be a natural part of that conversation.”
In his opening remarks, Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation, highlighted the significance of fandom and collaboration in the rapidly evolving esports landscape. “Fandom is the reason we are glued to our screens for those intense matches, proudly wear our team colors—even if they clash with our fashion sense!—and passionately debate who truly deserves the GOAT title,” Reichert noted. He also pointed out the role of emerging technologies like AR, VR, and AI in shaping the future of fan engagement.
The NGSC and the inaugural Esports World Cup, which will conclude on August 25 with a grand ceremony at Boulevard Riyadh City, are integral components of Saudi Arabia’s National Gaming and Esports Strategy. Launched two years ago, the strategy aims to position the Kingdom as a global esports powerhouse by 2030, with an anticipated economic contribution of $13 billion to the national GDP.
The opening day featured several high-profile panels, including ‘Becoming a Modern Sports Hero,’ which spotlighted esports legend Gabriel “FalleN” Toledo and former Manchester United footballer Patrice Evra. Another panel, ‘A Historic Convergence of Esports,’ previewed the 2025 Olympic Esports Games, set to take place in Saudi Arabia. The panel featured Ser Miang Ng, Vice President of the International Olympic Committee, David Lappartient, Chair of the IOC Esports Commission, and Abdulaziz Baeshen, Secretary General and CEO of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee.
The conference continues with more thought-provoking sessions on day two, including discussions on the intersection of traditional sports and esports, as well as strategies for developing enduring video games. HRH Prince Faisal will officially open day two, setting the stage for another round of insightful dialogue and collaboration.
