ESL FACEIT Group Signs Five-Year Partnership With Qiddiya City

The ESL FACEIT Group (EFG) has entered into a five-year strategic partnership with Qiddiya City, a major entertainment and tourism development project in Saudi Arabia. The collaboration aims to leverage EFG’s extensive network of 225 million gamers and its experience in professional esports to assist in the design and development of the 500,000-square-meter city project. While the financial terms of the agreement remain undisclosed, the partnership is positioned as a key component of Saudi Arabia’s broader economic diversification strategy, known as Vision 2030, which seeks to reduce the nation's reliance on oil revenue by fostering growth in the entertainment and tourism sectors.

Under the terms of the deal, EFG will provide expertise in developing the city’s esports infrastructure, including the creation of specialized venues and the integration of fan-focused experiences. The partnership will also grant users of EFG’s digital platforms and attendees of its global events—such as DreamHack festivals and various ESL and Intel Extreme Masters competitions—exclusive access to new developments within the Qiddiya district. The collaboration is intended to establish a sustainable, long-term pipeline for esports fandom and talent development within the Middle East.

Both EFG and Qiddiya City are backed by the Saudi Arabian government through the Public Investment Fund. EFG operates as a subsidiary of the Savvy Games Group, which is chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The partnership is scheduled to be officially inaugurated during the Counter-Strike 2 tournament at IEM Chengdu in April 2024, marking the beginning of a multi-year effort to position Qiddiya City as a global hub for gaming, entertainment, and professional esports.