The vision for Saudi Arabia’s gaming sector is embodied in the statement of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman: “The energy and creativity of Saudi youth and gaming enthusiasts are the driving forces behind the National Gaming and E-sports Strategy. This strategy fulfills the ambitions of the gaming community locally and globally by creating unique job opportunities and entertainment experiences, aiming to establish Saudi Arabia as a global hub for gaming and E-sports by 2030.”

Saudi Arabia’s gaming and E-sports landscape is undergoing a sweeping transformation, driven by a series of strategic government initiatives aimed at creating a world-class ecosystem. This journey began in 2017 with the establishment of the Saudi E-sports Federation (SEF), designed to govern and accelerate market growth. Building on this, the SAVVY Gaming Group—an investment arm of the Public Investment Fund (PIF)—was launched in 2021, signaling the Kingdom’s determination to invest in the sector at an unprecedented scale. A major leap came in September 2022, when Saudi Arabia introduced the National Gaming and E-Sport Strategy (NGES), containing 86 initiatives, of which 16 specifically target governance and regulations. This focus on regulation is particularly ambitious, by benchmarking against global best practices and designing frameworks unique to the Kingdom’s needs, Saudi Arabia is forging new standards that few countries have attempted at such scale. It represents a considerable challenge, but one the Kingdom is well-equipped to tackle, thanks to its robust investments, strong leadership support, and commitment to transparent oversight. That commitment was further underscored in December 2023, with the announcement of the Gaming and E-Sports Authority to oversee these efforts and ensure their successful implementation. Complementing these national initiatives, Qiddiya City is set to establish the world’s first dedicated Gaming & E-sports District, featuring four state-of-the-art E-sports arenas, including a 5,300-seat venue ranking among the world’s largest—and serving as regional headquarters for over 30 leading gaming companies. Collectively, these moves reflect not just a vision to grow the sector, but a deliberate strategy to position gaming at the heart of Vision 2030’s economic diversification—proving that Saudi Arabia has both the ambition and capability to set new benchmarks in the global gaming and e-sport arena.

The Beginning of Transformation:

Saudi Arabia’s journey in gaming can be traced back to 2008 with the launch of Gamer’s Day, the Kingdom’s largest video gaming event and a key gathering for enthusiasts across the GCC. Every year, Gamer’s Day introduces new titles, hosts training sessions, and features strategic partnerships—most notably with PlayStation, which has been on board since 2008. This wide-ranging celebration of gaming laid important groundwork for future developments.

By 2009, Saudi Arabia hosted one of the first official PES Cup 09 tournament in the Middle East. This moment marked a major shift from viewing gaming as a casual pastime to recognizing it as a competitive, professional pursuit. The tournament’s success spurred significant growth in the local gaming culture, inspiring players to participate in organized competitions and motivating many to become content creators on platforms like YouTube.

The early days of gaming in the kingdom saw the emergence of amateur tournaments and localized events, often organized by enthusiasts. These grassroots initiatives played a vital role in building a sense of community among gamers. Over time, this foundation grew into a structured industry supported by government and private investments. The introduction of E-sports leagues, competitive teams, and professional tournaments transformed the perception of gaming from a hobby to a viable career path.

Most of these players and content creators played pivotal roles in laying the foundation for gaming culture in the kingdom. Meanwhile, channels like True Gaming provided essential coverage, fostering a vibrant ecosystem for gamers and enthusiasts. These pioneers not only entertained millions but also inspired new generations to see gaming as a legitimate and lucrative field.

The National Gaming and E-Sport Strategy (NGES):

Saudi Arabia’s National Gaming and E-Sport Strategy (NGES) sets a bold vision to establish the Kingdom as a global leader in gaming and E-Sport. On the economic front, the NGES aims to contribute SAR 50 billion to the national GDP by 2030, while generating 39,000 direct and indirect jobs across game development, publishing, and infrastructure. Equally vital is the goal of global leadership, highlighted by plans to produce over 30 internationally competitive games and host premier gaming tournaments. To drive innovation, the NGES champions the creation of state-of-the-art E-Sport centers, investment in cloud gaming platforms, and incentives to attract AAA game developers to the region.

Underlying these objectives is a strong emphasis on sustainability—ensuring that growth benefits future generations without compromising environmental integrity. Through initiatives designed to lessen the ecological impact of gaming events and foster an inclusive community, the NGES strives to build a sector that is both resilient and forward-thinking. By balancing economic ambitions with global competitiveness, innovation, and sustainability, Saudi Arabia underscores its commitment to a vibrant, internationally recognized gaming ecosystem.

Accelerated Growth:

The gaming sector in Saudi Arabia is poised for unprecedented growth, as projections indicate a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 22.5% between 2023 and 2027. This trajectory is fueled by increased internet penetration, widespread adoption of 5G technology, and the kingdom’s young, tech-savvy population—over 70% of the population is under 35 years old.

Investments in digital infrastructure have significantly enhanced the gaming experience. According to the Communications, Space, and Technology Commission (CST), the GameMode report for Q2 2024 revealed a remarkable 68% improvement in gaming store speed performance and 85% latency performance enhancement across 18 online games. Additionally, latency stability reached 100%, ensuring a smoother gaming experience. The report also highlights that Saudi Arabia now hosts multiple gaming servers locally, optimizing connectivity for players. These advancements not only benefit gamers but also position Saudi Arabia as a leading market for gaming services and technologies, reinforcing the Kingdom’s commitment to becoming a global gaming hub.

Adding to this growth, Saudi Arabia’s strategic geographical location positions it as a gateway to the broader Middle East and North Africa (MENA) market. The MENA region itself is one of the fastest-growing gaming markets globally, providing Saudi Arabia with a unique opportunity to influence regional trends while serving as a hub for international players.

Demographic Insights
The Saudi gaming community is as diverse as the Kingdom itself. According to Newzoo, the demographic distribution highlights broad appeal across age and gender:

• Ages 10–20: 13% male, 12% female
• Ages 21–35: 24% male, 17% female
• Ages 36–50: 21% male, 13% female

These figures reinforce gaming’s status as a mainstream form of entertainment across generations. They also point to significant untapped potential—particularly among female gamers and older age groups—offering opportunities for developers and content creators to design more inclusive, targeted experiences.

Cultural Impact and Local Content

Saudi Arabia is placing a strong emphasis on developing culturally resonant gaming content that reflects the Kingdom’s heritage, values, and identity. This push is central to establishing a unique voice for the local gaming industry—one that not only entertains but also tells stories rooted in Saudi and Arab culture. Companies like UMX Studios are at the forefront of this movement, creating games infused with local themes, language, and narratives that resonate with regional players.

Beyond game development, local content creators and streamers have emerged as key ambassadors of gaming culture in Saudi Arabia. Through live streams, social media, and community engagement, they’re shaping trends, influencing game choices, and building fan bases that reflect the Kingdom’s youthful and tech-savvy population.

Together, these cultural and demographic trends position Saudi Arabia not just as a growing gaming market, but as a content creator with a distinct and globally relevant voice.

E-sports: A Global Force

Saudi Arabia’s efforts in E-sports have reached a historic milestone with the announcement that the Kingdom will host the first Olympic E-sports Games in 2025 under a 12‑year partnership with the International Olympic Committee.[1]

This prestigious event is a testament to Saudi Arabia’s growing influence and leadership in the global gaming and E-sports sector.

Saudi Arabia has rapidly emerged as a key player in the global E-sports arena, hosting events that have set new benchmarks for the industry:

1. E-sports World Cup:
   Organized by the E-sports World Cup Foundation (EWCF), a nonprofit funded by the Public Investment Fund—the inaugural edition ran at Boulevard City in Riyadh from July 3 to August 25, 2024, prominently showcasing Saudi talent through powerhouse teams like Twisted Minds and Falcons, two of the biggest E-sports teams in the Kingdom. It featured 23 tournaments across 22 game titles and boasted a record prize pool of SAR 225 million, making it the largest E-sports event in history[2]. The Cup introduced a SAR 75 million Club Championship, awarding the top 16 organizations based on cumulative performance—Team Falcons claimed SAR 26.5 million as the first Club Champion—and launched a SAR 75 million Club Partner Program to support 40 elite clubs, uniting over 300 million fans worldwide.[3]
2. Gamers8 Festival:
   Preceding the E-sports World Cup, Gamers8 was an eight‑week celebration at Boulevard Riyadh City, featuring immersive interactive zones (from anime‑themed “Japamura” villages to life‑sized Pac‑Man mazes) and a US$45 million prize pool that attracted global competitors and 1.4 million visitors in its inaugural edition[4] [5]. Its GameDevZone offered masterclasses, coding workshops, and industry panels in partnership with DigiPen, Unity, Google, and others—fostering local talent and innovation.
3. Next World Forum:
   Hosted by the Saudi E-sports Federation at the Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh, this premier two‑day conference convenes over 2,500 industry leaders, investors, and policymakers to discuss ecosystem development, investment opportunities, and sustainable growth strategies. Through keynote sessions, bilateral meetings, and project unveilings, the Forum has become a vital platform for shaping the future of gaming and E-sports in the region and beyond.[6]

These flagship events are pillars of Saudi Arabia’s National Gaming and E-sports Strategy (NGES), solidifying the Kingdom’s vision to become the global hub for gaming and E-sports under Vision 2030

Funds Investing in Saudi Arabia’s Video Games Sector

Saudi Arabia has rapidly become one of the world’s most active investors in video games, deploying capital and strategic support through a diverse array of public and private vehicles:

1. Public Investment Fund (PIF)
   As the Kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund, PIF has earmarked SAR 142 billion via its gaming arm, Savvy Games Group, to acquire stakes in global publishers and build domestic capacity—making it the single largest backer of gaming and E-sports worldwide
2. Savvy Games Group
   Launched in 2021 and wholly owned by PIF, Savvy has become the world’s largest E-sports company and a top‑five global publisher. Its headline M&A deals include the SAR 18.3 billion acquisition of Scopely (home to Monopoly Go!), the ESL FACEIT merger, minority stakes in Embracer and Nintendo, and the 13.1 billion Scopely‑mediated purchase of Niantic’s games business—bringing Pokémon Go and other AR hits into the fold
3. Monshaat (SME Authority)
   Through the Video Games Accelerator, Game Changers, and Saudi Game Champions, Monshaat equips local studios with seed funding, mentorship, and market access—helping dozens of Saudi developers launch culturally resonant titles [7] [8]
4. NEOM Investment Fund (NIF)
   NIF is building a regional gaming hub via NEOM Media’s Level Up accelerator and a Publishing Partner Network. A joint venture with MBC Group is also establishing the first AAA studio in NEOM’s Media Hub, pairing world‑class infrastructure with Saudi creative talent
5. Impact46
   A CMA‑licensed asset manager, Impact46 manage a SAR 150 million gaming fund in partnership with the National Development Fund and Social Development Bank to back game studios—one of its first flagship deal was a strategic investment in mobile‑focused Spoilz Games, with Batic Law Firm advising of this transaction, advancing Vision 2030’s objectives
6. Merak Capital
   Tasked by the National Development Fund, Merak manages a SAR 300 million Merak Gaming Fund targeting early‑ and growth‑stage developers, publishers, and gaming‑tech ventures—providing both equity and strategic support to scale Saudi innovation globally
7. HandsOn Global Management (HGM) Fund
   ​At LEAP 2025, HandsOn Global Management (HGM) unveiled a SAR 1.1 billionfund dedicated to financing game development in Saudi Arabia for both local and international markets. Headquarters in Riyadh and Santa Monica, HGM offers tailored capital solutions and strategic guidance to support innovative gaming projects. Notably, the fund is backing WILCO, the Kingdom’s first in-house first-person shooter title, anticipated to make a significant impact on the gaming industry. Additionally, Hydratac Inc. announced an SAR 11 million investment in HGM’s fund to develop military shooting simulation games, further enhancing the Kingdom’s position in the gaming sector[9]
8. MiSK Foundation / Electronic Games Development Company (EGDC)
   Through EGDC, the Mohammed bin Salman Foundation acquired a 96 % stake in Japanese developer SNK (known for Metal Slug and Fatal Fury) and continues to invest in creative IPs and youth‑focused initiatives, reinforcing its role as a cultural and economic catalyst in Saudi gaming[10]

These funds illustrate Saudi Arabia’s multi‑faceted approach—combining sovereign capital, dedicated vehicles, and public‑private partnerships—to build a self‑sustaining gaming ecosystem that competes on the world stage.

Saudi Arabia’s gaming and E-sports sector is more than just an emerging industry; it is a cultural and economic phenomenon reshaping the Kingdom’s global identity. By combining innovation, inclusivity, and strategic vision, Saudi Arabia is poised to lead the global gaming industry into a new era.

As Saudi Arabia cements its position as a global powerhouse in gaming and E-sports, opportunities for entrepreneurs and investors are rapidly expanding. But how can startups and foreign investors navigate this thriving ecosystem and capitalize on the Kingdom’s bold vision? In our next article, we’ll unveil a comprehensive guide to launching and scaling businesses in Saudi Arabia’s gaming sector—covering everything from regulatory frameworks and investment incentives to industry partnerships and growth strategies. Stay tuned as we break down the key steps to success in one of the fastest-growing gaming markets in the world.