RIYADH: Ticket holders for the Esports World Cup, which opens next week at Boulevard Riyadh City, will be able to apply for electronic visas to enter the country, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
The Esports World Cup Foundation said it had been working with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Tourism to help streamline access to the event, which is being held in the Kingdom for the first time.
The eight-week competition will see more than 1,500 players from 500 clubs around the world competing in 22 tournaments for a total prize pot of more than $60 million — the highest ever in the history of esports.
Hosting the event aligns with the Kingdom’s National Gaming and Esports Strategy, launched by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The EWC aims to bolster the nation’s global standing as a premier gaming and esports destination.
As well as watching the action, visitors to the tournament will be able to take part in a range of activities that combine sports, entertainment, education, culture and creativity.
World Cup ticket holders can apply for a 90-day, single entry visa at ksavisa.sa/visa/tourism/esport/apply.
More information about the competition is available from the EWC’s website at esportsworldcup.com.
Esports World Cup ticket holders offered electronic visas
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Esports World Cup ticket holders offered electronic visas
- Organizers work with Kingdom’s authorities to ease access for foreign visitors
- Riyadh to host $60m, eight-week event for first time
Diriyah circuit revealed as one of 3 additions to Formula E Trackmania
- In partnership with game publisher Ubisoft, Formula E will unveil the Sao Paulo, Diriyah and Miami tracks on Dec. 4
LONDON: Formula E has announced Diriyah as one of three additional tracks in the popular Trackmania game.
Sao Paolo and Miami have also been added following the huge success of the inaugural three circuits featured in the game during year one of the partnership with game publisher Ubisoft.
The coming season features six Formula E circuits, with returning fan favorites Tokyo, Berlin and London joined by the new tracks.
Players will also have access to a bespoke Formula E Championship show car livery as well as those from all 11 race teams. Attack mode and energy management systems will continue to be incorporated via a Formula E game mode, with a competitive live race per circuit and cash prizes up for grabs.
A special test race is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 27 so players can familiarize themselves with the tracks and game mechanics before the official season begins.
Starting on Dec. 4, just before Season 11 of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship kicks off at the Sambadrome in Sao Paulo, the specially designed street circuit will be revealed to Trackmania’s players through a Track of the Day launch, followed by the first official race.
Players will also be able to use 12 car liveries — 11 team skins from Formula E’s Season 11 and an exclusive championship skin.
Sanjay Shivaram, Formula E strategy and business development director, said: “As ever, our aim is to bring our fans closer to the action and as Formula E’s gaming offer continues to grow, we’re thrilled to integrate three new circuits into Trackmania for millions of fans to enjoy.
“It’s important to give fans and players the chance to put themselves in the driving seat and experience the thrill and drama of electric racing themselves. Through launching live races across six iconic Formula E circuits, fans will be able to experience (this) in an alternative, immersive format and take in the action for themselves. With cash prizes and a Grand Winner title to compete for, fans will be able to challenge themselves in their own racing championship and be part of the Formula E gaming community.”
Formula E first arrived in the Kingdom in Formula E’s fifth season and has raced in Diriyah six times. In 2025, the E-Prix moves to Jeddah, taking place on a modified version of the Jeddah Corniche Short Circuit on Feb. 14-15.
FIFAe Finals 2024 to take place in Riyadh
- The tournament returns to the Saudi capital from Dec. 5-12 with a partnership between FIFAe and the Saudi Esports Federation
RIYADH: The FIFAe Finals 2024 come to Riyadh next month, the first time the event will include multiple esports titles.
Hosted at the SEF Arena at BLVD Riyadh City, it will unfold in two stages. Proceedings begin with the FIFAe World Cup featuring Rocket League from Dec. 5-8, followed by two FIFAe World Cups featuring eFootball (on console and mobile) that will run from Dec. 9-12.
Ahead of the tournaments, Turki Al-Fawzan, CEO of the Saudi Esports Federation, said: “As we continue to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s position as a global leader in esports, hosting the FIFAe Finals 2024 is a proud moment for us. This event not only highlights the Kingdom’s commitment to the esports ecosystem but also provides an unparalleled opportunity for players from across the world to showcase their talent and passion on a global stage. We’re excited to witness the next chapter of esports history unfold right here in Riyadh.”
Players have the opportunity to represent their nations and lift the official FIFAe World Cup Trophy on a global stage. Sixteen nations are competing in Rocket League and up to 18 will go head-to-head in eFootball.
In line with Rocket League’s third-party regulations, the prize pool stands at $250,000. The prize pool for both eFootball competitions (console and mobile) is $100,000 each, bringing the total prize distribution for the FIFAe Finals 2024 to $450,000.
“This year’s addition of multiple new titles marks a major expansion for football esports tournaments, offering players from diverse ecosystems the chance to compete on the biggest stage under the FIFAe banner. We’re excited to continue this momentum together with the SEF and look forward to bringing this event to life in December together with our partners and publishers,” said FIFA Secretary-General Mattias Grafstrom.
The FIFAe Finals 2024 follow the inaugural FIFAe Next Gen event in Liverpool, England, which included the first-ever FIFAe World Cup featuring Football Manager, alongside the FIFAe Fame Your Game Cup.
Kingdom’s esports chief ‘proud’ as Riyadh prepares to host 16th IESF World Esports Championship
- Event will bring together more than 50 nations
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is hosting the 16th edition of the International Esports Federation’s World Esports Championship in Riyadh from Monday.
The event, which is being hosted by the Saudi Esports Federation and runs until Nov. 19, will bring together more than 50 nations across six major esports tournaments at the SEF Arena at Boulevard Riyadh City.
The championship will feature contests in Counter-Strike 2 (including both an open and a women’s category), Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (open and women’s tournaments), PUBG Mobile, and Dota 2.
With over 200 matches set to take place, more than 480 esports enthusiasts are ready to participate and showcase their skills in what organizers hope will be a landmark international event for the Kingdom.
Abdullah Al-Nasser, head of esports at the Saudi Esports Federation, said: “Hosting the IESF World Esports Championship 2024 in Riyadh is another proud accolade for the federation in the Kingdom’s gaming and esports journey to becoming a global hub for the industry.
“We are delighted to welcome all athletes and countries to the WEC24 ahead of what is going to be a fascinating and intense competition.”
The championship’s opening ceremony is to be held on Monday at the main stage of the SEF Arena.
The event will include the introduction of participating teams, highlighted by a flag ceremony displaying the flags of each competing nation. Those attending will also be treated to a look back at the history of the showcase, featuring memorable moments, rivalries, and significant achievements from past editions of the World Esports Championship.
ESL Saudi Challenge — everything you need to know
- The tournament playoffs will take place in Riyadh from Nov. 8-16, with the final on Dec. 7
RIYADH: The ESL Saudi Challenge qualifiers have officially ended and the stage is now set for the playoffs, which take place from Nov. 8-16.
After an intense round of Overwatch2 competition, the best teams from across Saudi Arabia have secured their spots and are ready to face off in the next phase, with a total prize pool of $20,000 up for grabs.
The success of the recent Esports World Cup in Riyadh highlighted the popularity of gaming among Saudi players and fans, and that looks set to continue with more competitions taking place across the Kingdom in the coming years.
The ESL Saudi Challenge, organized by esports and video game entertainment company ESL FACEIT Group, will also give the victors a chance to compete on a global stage.
During the playoffs, teams face off in an attempt to advance to the Finals, where the top three teams will go head-to-head in front of a live audience at VOV Gaming in Riyadh on Dec. 7.
Schedule and Format
Playoffs: Nov. 8-16
The best eight teams face off in the double elimination bracket matches.
Grand Finals: Dec. 7
The top three teams from the playoffs compete in lower bracket and upper bracket for the Grand Final. The winner will be crowned ESL Saudi Challenge Champion, taking home the top prize of $9,000 and qualifying for an international event in 2025.
Teams
The ESL Saudi Challenge will see some of the best teams in Overwatch compete for the grand prize:
Twisted Minds
Vision Esports
Himawari
Amigos
Roc esports
Al-Qadisiah
Dragons
Negative Mental Attitude
Prize money (USD)
Total pool: $20,000
1st: $9,000
2nd: $5,000
3rd: $3,000
4th: $,1000
5th-8th: $500
Where to watch
Fans can watch the playoffs on the ESL Arabia Twitch and YouTube channels. For those unable to tune in live, all matches will also be available to watch on-demand free of charge via YouTube.
ESL Saudi Challenge to offer Kingdom’s gamers a path to global competition
- ESL FACEIT Group announces first-ever exclusive tournament for Saudi Arabia, kicking off on Oct. 18
RIYADH: ESL FACEIT Group has announced the launch of the ESL Saudi Challenge, the first-ever ESL tournament exclusively for the Saudi gaming community.
Starting on Oct. 18 with Overwatch 2 as the featured game, the event will provide a unique opportunity for local talent to compete on the global stage.
Running until Dec. 7, it will see Saudi’s top teams battle for a share of a $20,000 prize pool. The competition begins with three open tournaments hosted on the FACEIT platform, with the top two teams from each securing a playoff place. These will join two invited teams in an intense double-elimination showdown, culminating in a thrilling final at VOV Gaming in Riyadh.
“The ESL Saudi Challenge is more than just a tournament — it’s the beginning of a new chapter for esports in Saudi Arabia,” said Franck Guignery, ESL FACEIT Group’s senior vice president for the Middle East & Africa region.
“By featuring Overwatch 2 and providing a pathway to international competition, we’re offering Saudi esports enthusiasts a chance to showcase their skills on a global stage. Whether you’re an aspiring esports player, a professional player or a fan, this is your chance to be part of the action and witness the rise of local talent.”
ESL FACEIT Group is the world's largest esports and video game entertainment company. In January 2022 it was acquired by Saudi Arabia’s Savvy Games Group, which is 100 percent owned by the country's Public Investment Fund, for $1.5 billion. ESL FACEIT Group has been appointed the main official operating partner of the Esports World Cup for the next five years.
