Macron and Saudi Crown Prince attend Esports World Cup closing ceremony

Saudi Arabia, the founder of the recently launched Global Gaming Summit, is allocating billions of riyals to position the kingdom as a leading hub for video‑game development and esports competition. The government’s investment plan, unveiled alongside the inaugural event, targets the construction of state‑of‑the‑art arenas, the establishment of training academies, and the creation of incentives for international studios to set up regional offices in Riyadh and Jeddah.

The multi‑year funding package is part of a broader diversification strategy that seeks to reduce reliance on oil revenues by cultivating a digital entertainment sector capable of attracting global talent and audiences. Officials say the initiative will generate thousands of jobs, stimulate ancillary industries such as tourism and technology, and elevate Saudi Arabia’s profile in the rapidly expanding worldwide gaming market.