Riyadh confidently strides towards crafting a new future where innovation, digital economy, and interactive sports are key pillars of its developmental vision, affirming to the world that the major transformations it is witnessing are no longer confined internally but have become a tangible reality reshaping its position on the international map. Today, Riyadh is not just a political and economic capital but a global platform where people from different continents meet under the umbrella of esports and digital games, clearly reflecting the extent of change Saudi Arabia has made structurally and intellectually over the past decade.

This transformation was most vividly demonstrated by hosting the second edition of the Esports World Cup 2025 in Riyadh for seven weeks, placing the Kingdom at the forefront as an incubator of innovation and a center for creative industries. The tournament was more than a competition among clubs and players; it was a meeting point for over one hundred countries, nearly two thousand professional players from two hundred global clubs competing in 25 championships covering 24 electronic games, with record prizes exceeding 70 million dollars, redefining the concept of a global tournament.

The event also translated the Kingdom’s leading role in promoting cultural dialogue and human convergence through sports, as players and fans from dozens of cultures, languages, and environments gathered in Riyadh to form a unified cultural tableau embodying the Saudi vision based on building bridges of understanding rather than barriers of division.

Culturally, the event blended the rich Saudi identity with digital modernity embodied by the tournament. Visitors did not come only to follow the competitions but experienced a comprehensive cultural journey through more than 32 accompanying entertainment and cultural events mixing traditional arts with modern shows, offering a rich experience transitioning from the digital competition buzz to the depth of local heritage.

Economically, the tournament represented an advanced model of the added value esports can create. This sector, currently exceeding 200 billion dollars globally with an annual growth rate of 9%, found fertile ground for growth in Saudi Arabia. More than 250 local companies specialize in games and esports, alongside increasing investments in infrastructure and devices, reflecting rising local market demand. The tournament was a huge opportunity to attract global investments and companies that see the Kingdom as an attractive environment integrating economic capabilities with strategic vision.

Touristically, Riyadh welcomed thousands of visitors worldwide during the tournament, boosting tourism, increasing hotel occupancy rates, and raising city visitors by more than 29% compared to last year. These visitors engaged in a comprehensive exploratory experience of Riyadh’s destinations and various regions of the Kingdom, enhancing Saudi Arabia’s image as a comprehensive tourist destination capable of integrating sports, entertainment, and culture.

At the peak of this scene came the sporting achievement, as the Saudi team “Falcons” clinched the title for the second consecutive time since the tournament’s launch in Riyadh last year. The team topped the overall ranking after seven weeks of competition with 5200 points, cementing that Saudi Arabia is not only a source of organization but also a source of talents competing and winning on the world’s biggest stages. In a special interview with the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan, Chairman of the Saudi Esports Federation, congratulated this achievement, affirming that “Falcons” raised the nation’s flag high for the second time, and that other Saudi teams showed impressive levels and were close to winning the title, emphasizing that their performance reflects exceptional youthful energies proving the Kingdom’s confident march towards global prominence.

He clarified that what has been achieved is the fruit of a clear leadership vision that made electronic games part of the major transformation paths of Vision 2030, as an integrated industry carrying economic, cultural, and political dimensions.

On the sidelines of the tournament, Riyadh witnessed a historic announcement during the New Global Sports Conference (NGSC 2025), held concurrently with the tournament’s final week. The Esports World Cup Foundation revealed the launch of the Esports Nations Cup, the first tournament of its kind worldwide dedicated to national team competitions. This announcement confirmed that the Kingdom is no longer just a host for the esports industry but a global platform for its development and future innovations. The new tournament represents a qualitative leap in the competitive scene, giving elite players the opportunity to raise their national flags and represent the aspirations of millions of their compatriots, transforming esports from individual or team competitions into arenas reflecting national belonging and uniting peoples behind their national teams as in major traditional sports.

Thamer Al-Shaibi, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation, confirmed that the tournament’s numbers in participation, prizes, audience attendance, and global viewership exceeded all expectations, noting that Riyadh has become a major hub in the global esports industry.

Meanwhile, Faisal bin Hamran, CEO of Esports at the Foundation, explained that the tournament’s success was not limited to its sporting dimension but also included enhancing the national economy, attracting investments, activating tourism, expanding the fan base, and consolidating the Kingdom’s political and cultural dimension by bringing the world together on its soil in an exceptional cultural scene.

With the tournament’s successful conclusion, the Kingdom proved that it does not merely host global events but transforms them into a launchpad towards broader horizons through investing in talents, enhancing the knowledge economy, and building an integrated industry befitting the ambitions of a nation leading the global scene with confidence and capability. The Falcons’ second title remains a shining milestone in a series of achievements emanating from Riyadh to the world.