This landmark partnership supports Saudi Arabia’s Qiddiya city in its ambitious vision, harnessing the power of EFG to engage the global gaming and esports community in shaping the industry’s future.
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (April 8, 2024) – ESL FACEIT Group (EFG), a leading global esports and gaming entertainment company, and Qiddiya, the world-class destination for entertainment, sports, and culture, today announced a five-year global partnership to support Qiddiya’s transformation into a premier gaming and esports hub. Through this collaboration, EFG aims to involve its global fanbase of 225 million gamers in the development of Qiddiya’s gaming and esports district.
EFG will focus on creating immersive experiences, in-game missions, and global tournament stages using innovative technology to inspire gamers, players, and partners to shape the future of entertainment in Qiddiya’s gaming esports zone. Gamers and fans will have opportunities to experience the area’s progress firsthand during events such as DreamHack, ESL, and IEM, or through EFG’s digital esports platform, FACEIT. Under the five-year partnership, top-tier professional and grassroots tournaments, including ESL Counter-Strike Pro Tour, ESL Challenger, ESL Impact, ESL Dota 2 Pro Tour, and DreamHack, will be held in Qiddiya.
EFG and Qiddiya are committed to fostering esports growth, especially in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East, by connecting generations of fans across the globe.
Abdullah Aldawood, CEO of Qiddiya Investment Company, said, “As part of Saudi Arabia’s national gaming and esports strategy, Qiddiya is poised to become a global capital for gaming, driving the next generation of esports. Our partnership with EFG will establish Qiddiya as an innovative entertainment hub where gamers, fans, and content creators play a crucial role. We will set new standards for player development, talent discovery, and fan experiences.”
Craig Levine, Co-CEO of EFG, commented, “Qiddiya is a city built for the global esports and gaming community, inspired by one of the fastest-growing markets in the industry. As a focal point for the emerging esports scene, Qiddiya will grow alongside the global gaming community, laying a strong foundation for a sustainable future in esports and gaming. With our decades of expertise in esports, EFG is proud to contribute to Qiddiya’s ascent and fan-centric vision, confident in the value we will create together.”
The establishment of Qiddiya’s gaming esports district marks the birth of the world’s first integrated gaming and esports development, a pioneering endeavor. The area will not only serve as a hub for aspiring gamers and professionals but also become a regional headquarters for top gaming companies and esports organizations.
Spanning 500,000 square meters, Qiddiya’s gaming esports zone is designed to cater to gamers’ passions, featuring cutting-edge facilities and novel ways to spectate, train, and game. Thanks to EFG’s support, it will boast state-of-the-art low-latency technology infrastructure, enabling the previously announced esports training centers, sports science labs, and high-tech incubators.
Franck Guignery, EFG’s Senior Vice President for the Middle East and Africa, stated, “Saudi Arabia’s esports landscape, with its youthful dynamism, is increasingly becoming a key driver of global esports culture and industry. Through our partnership with Qiddiya, we will combine compelling narratives with world-class esports events to deliver a dual-value experience to esports enthusiasts. Together with Qiddiya, we invite the global gaming community to participate in shaping a future home for gaming and esports, injecting positive energy into the entire industry.”
The strategic partnership between Qiddiya and EFG will officially commence during the IEM Chengdu Counter-Strike 2 event over the weekend of April 12-14, 2024. For more information about Qiddiya, visit qiddiya.com. To learn more about EFG, visit eslfaceitgroup.com and follow EFG on LinkedIn.
About ESL FACEIT Group (EFG)
ESL FACEIT Group (EFG) is a leading esports and gaming entertainment company dedicated to building a world where players, fans, and content creators come together beyond gaming. Based on iconic brands like ESL, FACEIT, and DreamHack, EFG creates innovative ecosystems around games that communities love, partnering with leading brands and global IPs to engage millions of players worldwide. Visit www.eslfaceitgroup.com for more information.
About Qiddiya City
Qiddiya City, the flagship project of Qiddiya, is a ground-up creation of a world-class landmark centered around the power of gaming. Located in the heart of Tuwaiq Mountains, just 40 minutes from Riyadh, this vibrant city will redefine entertainment, sports, and culture. Upon completion, Qiddiya will offer residents and visitors a high-quality lifestyle with a range of attractions and leisure experiences, including a global gaming and esports center, multi-purpose stadiums, golf courses, high-speed motorsports tracks, water parks, and Six Flags theme parks.
Embracing the idea of “the power of play,” Qiddiya aims to host major global sports events, festivals, concerts, and cultural activities. The city’s design integrates sustainability and wellness, seamlessly blending residential areas, retail, offices, and vast green spaces with cultural centers and top-notch healthcare and education facilities