Australia Handed eSports Boost as Saudi Arabia Launches Annual World Cup

Australia’s top eSports exponents have been handed a major boost after Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz confirmed his country will host an annual World Cup event.

It will incorporate several leading eSports titles across all of the popular gaming genres, potentially opening the door for numerous Australian eSports professionals to participate in the tournaments.

A new-government funded organisation – the eSports World Cup Foundation – will be responsible for organising the tournaments which will have record prize pools up for grabs. They will collaborate with other stakeholders such as game developers, broadcasters and major sponsors to ensure the World Cup becomes the true pinnacle of eSports.

The online gambling industry are also expected to be heavily involved in the new venture with many operators worldwide already boasting strong links with the eSports sector. Several sportsbooks already offer odds on eSports events, while some operators sponsor teams, leagues and tournaments around the world. Many more are expected to jump on the bandwagon following the announcement.

They include SouthernCrossBet, who are eager to grow their online presence having initially established a solid reputation as a land-based bookmaker. BettingTop10’s SouthernCrossBet review indicates the firm has scope to develop their impressive sportsbook and eSports could be the ideal vehicle to achieve this.

Their interest will likely have been piqued by the Saudi Crown Prince’s comments about the new World Cup tournament, which has the potential to fire eSports into a completely different stratosphere over the next few years.

“The eSports World Cup is the natural next step in Saudi Arabia’s journey to become the premier global hub for gaming and eSports, offering an unmatched eSports experience that pushes the boundaries of the industry,” he said.

“The competition will enhance our progress towards realising the Vision 2030 objectives of diversifying the economy, growing the tourism sector, creating new jobs in various industries, and providing world-class entertainment for citizens, residents and visitors alike.”

The new tournament will replace Gamers8 – a $45 million eSports festival in Riyadh which has laid the foundations for professional gaming to flourish in the Middle East.

The launch of the eSports World Cup is undoubtedly exciting news for Australia, with the country currently on a mission to become a major player in the gaming industry. A recent event in Sydney highlighted Australia’s potential in eSports, with several of its top gamers competing in the prestigious 2023 Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) event.

The centrepiece of the event was the first-ever competitive Counter-Strike (CS2) tournament, which attracted a massive audience to the Aware Super Theatre. Almost half a million people also watched the tournament online, highlighting the attraction of eSports.

The event will likely inspire a new generation of gamers to try their luck on the professional circuit in the hope of one day representing Australia at the eSports World Cup.

Saudi Arabia’s investment into eSports should prove to be transformative for an industry that has been tipped to triple its annual revenues by 2030.

While some critics remain wary about Saudi involvement in gaming, the country’s rulers are steadfast in their ambition to ensure they become a global powerhouse in the industry.

Their determination could be life-changing for the top Australian gamers, with the new eSports World Cup offering them the opportunity to test themselves at the highest level and compete for eye-watering sums of money.