SAUDI ARABIA GETS WORLD'S FIRST GAMING AND ESPORTS DISTRICT

20  DEC, 2023

Sweta Gupta

Qiddiya is gearing up to be a global hub for gaming and esports. Picture futuristic hotels, themed real estate, and amazing retail spaces covering a vast 500,000 sq m area.

welcome to saudi arabia's first ever esports district

Photo: Populous

The gaming district, set to attract 10 million visitors annually, will feature four sections, including a main stadium with a 73,000-seat capacity.

gaming hub extravaganza

Photo: Populous

the grand arena

The world's biggest indoor LED screen will be part of an esports arena. Abdullah bin Nasser Aldawood, Managing Director of Qiddiya Investment Company, aims to host major gaming events.

Photo: Twitter/@QiddiyaGaming

global hub by 2030

With plans to host 25 esports clubs globally and serve as regional headquarters for 30+ leading video game developers, Qiddiya aligns with Saudi Arabia's National Strategy for Gaming and Esports.

Photo: Twitter/@QiddiyaGaming

Qiddiya, introduced by the Saudi Crown Prince a few weeks ago, is currently under development on the outskirts of Riyadh.

ABOUT QIDDIYA

Photo: Twitter/@QiddiyaGaming

Esports tournaments, once niche, now rival traditional sports, boasting multi-million dollar prizes and millions of viewers, contributing significantly to industry growth since 2010.

RISE OF ESPORTS

Photo: Twitter/@esports

The first season of the Battlegrounds Mobile India Pro Series, held in India in 2022, emerged as a prominent eSports gaming event, featuring a prize pool exceeding $260 million.

ESPORTS IN INDIA

Photo: Twitter/@Kullthegreat