Esports Awards Signs Three-Year Deal With Esports World Cup

Key insights

5 takeaways

01
The Esports Awards has entered a three-year partnership with the Esports World Cup Foundation to host its annual ceremony in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
02
The 2024 edition of the Esports Awards is scheduled to take place on August 24 in Boulevard City, Riyadh.
03
The event will feature a multi-faceted program including a red carpet, a Lifetime Achievement mixer, an Esports Village, and the awards ceremony.
04
Finalists for the 2024 awards will be revealed on June 27, at which point public voting will open.
05
The Esports World Cup is supported by grants from the Saudi Arabian government and is closely linked to the Savvy Games Group, which is chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Summary

The Esports Awards has entered into a three-year partnership with the Esports World Cup Foundation to relocate its annual ceremony to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This strategic move aims to leverage the growing esports market in the Middle East, with the 2024 iteration scheduled for August 24 in Boulevard City. The event will feature a comprehensive program, including a red carpet, a lifetime achievement mixer, and an esports village, with public voting for award finalists beginning in late June.

This collaboration aligns with broader industry trends involving Saudi Arabian investment in global gaming and esports infrastructure. The Esports World Cup and its associated team programs are supported by government grants, and the event’s operational framework is closely linked to the ESL FACEIT Group, which is owned by the Savvy Games Group, a subsidiary of the Saudi Public Investment Fund.

The partnership represents a significant geographic shift for the awards, which previously maintained a presence in markets like Las Vegas. By integrating with the Esports World Cup, the organizers intend to enhance the scale and visibility of the ceremony. This development reflects the increasing influence of state-backed funding in international competitive gaming, as stakeholders continue to pursue large-scale event partnerships to foster regional growth and global engagement.