Saudi Esports Federation and Savvy Games Group announce sponsorship agreement

Gamers8: The Land of Heroes will take place in Riyadh from July 6. (SEF)
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Updated 10 May 2023
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Saudi Esports Federation and Savvy Games Group announce sponsorship agreement

  • The year-long partnership will showcase Savvy’s brands across Gamers Without Borders and Gamers8: The Land of Heroes

RIYADH: The Saudi Esports Federation and Savvy Games Group have announced a year-long sponsorship agreement that will showcase Savvy’s brands across the entire SEF ecosystem, including Gamers Without Borders and Gamers8: The Land of Heroes.

This is the second year in a row that the two organizations have come together, and following last year’s popular activations, Savvy and SEF will once again deliver exclusive on-ground and virtual experiences for gaming enthusiasts at this year’s events. The partnership also includes a series of initiatives designed to further Saudi Arabia’s mission to become a global hub for esports and gaming.

Turki Al-Fawzan, CEO of SEF, said: “It is with great pleasure that the Saudi Esports Federation unveils this historic agreement with Savvy Games Group. Last year, Gamers Without Borders and Gamers8 demonstrated the huge gaming market in Saudi Arabia and the enormous potential for growth for the industry. With the extension of the partnership this year, there is so much to look forward to, whether it be for Saudi Arabian gamers or gamers across the globe.”

Brian Ward, Savvy CEO, said: “At Savvy, we are committed to driving the long-term growth and development of the global esports and games industry. We are excited to continue working closely with SEF to bring gaming enthusiasts an unforgettable experience and support its mission to build the largest esports festival in the world.”

GWB, the world’s largest charitable esports event, returned for the fourth consecutive year for six weeks from April 10. Held virtually by SEF, GWB serves as a qualifier for Gamers8: The Land of Heroes, the biggest esports and gaming festival worldwide, which takes place in Riyadh for eight weeks this summer beginning July 6.

In addition to GWB and Gamers8: The Land of Heroes, Savvy will be the presenting partner for SEF assets such as the Saudi eLeagues, Next World Forum, Voices of Saudi Esports, SEF Awards, Arab League, Gaming Centers’ Face-Off, Saudi Esports Academy, Esports Federation Championship, and Marhala Podcast. Savvy will also be a strategic partner for the National Esports Team.

GWB has a charity prize pool of $10 million and members of the public can donate on its official website.

Gamers8: The Land of Heroes is offering a $45 million prize pool across the elite gaming titles taking place in the competition this summer — the largest esports prize pool in history.


Filipino players ready to defend women’s esports title at World Cup in Riyadh

Updated 11 June 2025
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Filipino players ready to defend women’s esports title at World Cup in Riyadh

  • 4 Philippine teams to compete in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang category
  • Largest esports festival, 2025 World Cup features $70m in prize money

MANILA: Philippine competitors are preparing for next month’s Esports World Cup in Saudi Arabia, where they aim to defend a title in an all-female tournament of one of the most popular mobile multiplayer strategy games.

Set to take place in Riyadh from July 7 to Aug. 24, the upcoming Esports World Cup will be the globe’s largest esports festival, featuring $70 million in prize money, and 25 professional tournaments.

The event is a part of Saudi Arabia’s broader Vision 2030 strategy to diversify the economy — also by investing heavily in sports and tourism.

Four Philippine teams will be competing in the championship’s MLBB category.

MLBB, or Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, is a free-to-play multiplayer online battle arena game by Chinese developer Moonton. It is one of the world’s most popular mobile esports games, especially in Southeast Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East.

Keith Medrano, who leads Moonton’s public relations in the Philippines and the region, told Arab News: “Both men’s and women’s rep teams are representing the Philippines in the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Mid-Season Cup and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Women’s Invitational.”

He added: “We were given two slots per category, so two slots for the men’s and two slots for the women’s.

“We are actually the defending champions of the Women’s Invitational. So, it’s really important ... to defend our title as the strongest country in MLBB sports gaming for women.”

Duane “Kelra” Pillas, a player from the Onic Philippines team, told sports reporters on Tuesday that they would also try to reclaim the MSC title which Filipino players last held in 2022.

“In the upcoming EWC, we will make sure that one of us will win,” Pillas said.

“We are really preparing to get the MSC again since the Philippines has not been able to get it for several years.”

Filipino players have emerged as strong contenders in mobile esports in recent years — a discipline most popular in Southeast Asia and where they are seen to have their best title hopes at the upcoming Riyadh event.

“In the eSports World Cup, there are different esport titles. They’re all different — it’s like a multisport event,” said Marlon Marcelo, executive director of the Philippine Esports Organization.

“For now, we have a strong chance in Mobile Legends — both in the men’s and women’s category. That’s where our money’s at.”

He also observed an increasing popularity of esports among women, who just a few months after the Riyadh World Cup will be competing at the 2025 Southeast Asian Games.

“We have a strong chance in the women’s category,” he said. “It’s heating up.”


Emmy-winning director R. J. Cutler’s docuseries ‘Esports World Cup: Level Up’ starts June 6

Updated 05 June 2025
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Emmy-winning director R. J. Cutler’s docuseries ‘Esports World Cup: Level Up’ starts June 6

  • The 5-part series on Prime Video takes a behind-the-scenes look at the inaugural Esports World Cup, an 8-week, $60m competition in Riyadh in 2024
  • ‘What drew me to the EWC was the compelling human stories unfolding within this high-stakes arena,’ Cutler says

RIYADH: “Esports World Cup: Level Up,” a new, five-part documentary series from Emmy-winning director R. J. Cutler begins on Jun. 6 on Prime Video, with new episodes released weekly.

It offers viewers a look behind the scenes of the inaugural Esports World Cup that took place in Riyadh in 2024. Described as a defining moment in global electronic sports, with more than $60 million in prize money up for grabs, it ignited a high-stakes, multinational battle to land the title of the world’s top esports club.

The makers of the series, which is produced by This Machine, part of Sony Pictures Television, describe it as a rare look inside a global competition that is redefining what it means to be a champion for a new generation of athletes and fans.

They said Cutler and his team embedded themselves at the eight-week tournament, which was watched by more 500 million fans worldwide, to uncover the personal sacrifices, rivalries and high stakes driving the digital action.

Shot in cinema verite style, with minimal interference from the filmmakers, the series reportedly combines visits to the homes of competitors around the world with on-the-ground coverage of the event. It follows a wide range of participants, from club CEOs attempting to orchestrate million-dollar strategies, to rising stars chasing a life-changing win.

“What drew me to the EWC was the compelling human stories unfolding within this high-stakes arena,” Cutler said.

“‘Level Up’ isn’t just about the incredible competition and prize money; it’s about the dedication, the passion and the sheer will of these athletes and teams pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.

“Under high pressure, we discover the true character of the competitors who vie for $60 million but who also expose their humanity in the process.”

Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation, said: “A win might make the headlines but the real story is the people behind it.

“’Level Up’ dives into the human side of e-sports: the pressure, the ambition, the sacrifices. It’s about what it really takes to compete at the highest level and why it matters. R. J. is the best at bringing those stories to life, and this one captures the heart of what we’re building.”

Cutler’s previous work includes the 2009 documentary movie “The September Issue,” about American Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour and her team as they prepare to publish a particularly significant edition of the magazine, and films about celebrities including Marlon Brando, John Belushi, Billie Eilish, Elton John and Martha Stewart.


Saudi eLeague concludes first phase of 2025 season

Updated 03 June 2025
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Saudi eLeague concludes first phase of 2025 season

  • More than 40 clubs involved as Twisted Minds, Team Falcons, Al-Qadsiah lead charge

RIYADH: The Saudi eLeague, the Kingdom’s premier esports competition, has seen over 40 clubs take part in the 2025 season.

Organized by the Saudi Esports Federation and hosted at the SEF Arena in Boulevard Riyadh City, the league showcases the Kingdom’s top clubs as they battle across multiple titles and divisions.

Participating clubs have so far battled across 10 high-stakes contests, six in the elite category and four in the women category, with valuable points up for grabs at the top of the cross-game leaderboard.

The final standings will determine the qualifiers for the championship, the league’s most prominent event in which top clubs compete for the ultimate title and a major share of a prize pool worth almost $1.9 million.

Twisted Minds lead the pack after the latest round, with Team Falcons second. Al-Qadsiah Esports sit in third, the breakout team of the season, surging up the ranks with wins in both the men’s and women’s contests.

The first phase of the Saudi eLeague season has now concluded, and Abdullah Al-Nasser, head of esports products at the Saudi Esports Federation, said: “The strong start to this year’s Saudi eLeague says a lot about how far the scene has come.

“Compared to previous seasons … we’re seeing real progress, more clubs, stronger competition, new talents and growing excitement from the community.

“What matters most is how competitive and intense every match has become. (It is) a platform where Saudi talents and clubs can grow, compete, and shine on bigger stages.”

Fans can follow the action live at the SEF Arena or via Saudi eLeague channels on Twitch, YouTube, and social platforms.


Twisted Minds defend Overwatch 2 crown at ESL Saudi Challenge 2025

Twisted Minds reign supreme at ESL Saudi Challenge 2025, advancing to OWCS. supplied
Updated 01 June 2025
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Twisted Minds defend Overwatch 2 crown at ESL Saudi Challenge 2025

  • Victory secures team’s spot in Overwatch Champions Series

Riyadh: Saudi Arabia’s top Overwatch 2 team, Twisted Minds, have once again stamped their authority on the national stage, successfully defending their title at the ESL Saudi Challenge 2025, held at Riyadh’s VOV Gaming Arena.

The high-octane finale saw Twisted Minds overcome a fierce challenge from Al-Qadsiah, who went into the match with a lot of momentum after a decisive win against Team Vision in the semifinals.

The final matchup was a showcase of strategy and execution, with Twisted Minds ultimately pulling ahead through superior coordination and championship composure. With the win, they not only retained the title but also secured a berth in the Overwatch Champions Series, the official qualifier for the Esports World Cup.

They also claimed the top prize from a $20,000 pool.

The ESL Saudi Challenge, launched by ESL FACEIT Group, is part of a broader push to elevate the competitive gaming scene in Saudi Arabia and the wider region. Designed as both a platform for talent and a pipeline to international competitions, the tournament reflects the Kingdom’s growing role in the global esports ecosystem.

“The ESL Saudi Challenge is a cornerstone in our long-term commitment to building a thriving and sustainable esports ecosystem in Saudi Arabia and the wider MENA region,” said Franck Guignery, the group’s senior vice president for MENA.

“Through this tournament, we’re not only creating high-level competitive opportunities for local talent but also reinforcing the Kingdom’s role as a key player on the global esports map.

“This is just the beginning, we see Saudi and MENA as essential to the future of competitive gaming and we’re here to help shape that future.”

As Twisted Minds prepare to represent Saudi Arabia in the OWCS, the Kingdom’s position as a force in international esports continues to grow. With strategic investments, a strong talent pool and quality infrastructure, the country is no longer just part of the global esports movement it is helping to lead it.


Saudi Arabia’s brightest e-sports stars to reach greater heights on global stage

Updated 28 May 2025
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Saudi Arabia’s brightest e-sports stars to reach greater heights on global stage

  • Red Bull will serve as the Falcons’ official performance partner during the 2025 Esports World Cup
  • The collaboration aims to support players at the highest competitive levels

RIYADH: One of the world’s premier electronic sports organizations, the Falcons, signed on Wednesday a landmark partnership with Red Bull, giving Saudi Arabia’s brightest e-sports stars the wings to reach greater heights on the global stage.

The partnership reflects a shared mission to push boundaries in gaming, e-sports, and entertainment by introducing bold, youth-driven ideas that align with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, said a media statement.

Red Bull will serve as the Falcons’ official performance partner during the 2025 Esports World Cup, taking place in Riyadh from Jul. 7 to Aug. 24, added the statement.

The collaboration aims to support players at the highest competitive levels by enhancing physical and mental performance and providing an ideal environment for creativity and professionalism in the gaming arena.

Official performance partner for the Esports World Cup
Central to this effort is the Athlete Performance Center, where cutting-edge training, fitness, and recovery programs are tailored specifically for e-sports athletes, as Musaed Al-Dossary, known professionally as Msdossary, personally experienced in 2021 as part of his quest to develop his own outstanding skills.

With two main facilities in Salzburg and Los Angeles, and a global network, the center offers training and performance development opportunities for a wide range of athletes, wherever they are in the world, under the best conditions and supervision of a skilled team of medical experts and coaches.

A center for developing bright talents
Red Bull supports ambitious youth around the world through a series of initiatives, including this facility. Prominent athletes have experienced this center, including Formula 1 World Champion Max Verstappen, Austrian Grand Slam tennis champion Dominic Thiem, Dakar Rally winner Sam Sunderland, as well as Saudi motorsport star Dania Akeel.

A new era of esports excellence
Co-founded by Saudi e-sports icon Msdossary, the Falcons have already carved out a dominant international presence. With major championship titles under their belt, the team has set a new benchmark for Middle Eastern representation in competitive gaming.

Making history
The Falcons made headlines by winning the inaugural Esports World Cup in 2024, hosted in Riyadh. Competing in top titles like “Call of Duty: Warzone” and “Free Fire,” they outperformed nearly 500 teams and 1,500 pro players from across the globe.

Their groundbreaking win in a major “Dota 2” championship marked a milestone, not just for the Falcons, but for the entire Middle East e-sports scene. It showcased the region’s growing talent pool and its ability to compete on the global stage.