Qiddiya City Club Program Details

The Qiddiya City Club Program serves as a strategic financial incentive initiative designed to attract international esports organizations, game developers, and publishers to Saudi Arabia’s Qiddiya City, a massive government-funded development project. As part of the broader Vision 2030 plan, the program aims to establish the city as a global epicenter for gaming and esports. The project, backed by the Public Investment Fund, features a $350 billion budget and encompasses a wide array of entertainment, residential, and sports infrastructure, with the gaming and esports district expected to see a gradual opening between 2026 and 2028.

The program targets a diverse group of global esports organizations, with an initial goal of recruiting 15 teams in the first wave of 2024, potentially drawing from the existing Esports World Cup Club Support Program. Selected partners will sign five-year contracts, with options for extension, requiring them to establish a legal business entity in Saudi Arabia and maintain a physical presence in Riyadh’s STC Square before transitioning to custom-designed facilities within Qiddiya City by 2028. Incentives include subsidies for administrative staff, bootcamp support, and an annual marketing budget of $9.5 million per organization.

Participation mandates are rigorous, requiring organizations to refrain from competing incentive programs, hire specific administrative personnel, host community events, and contribute to local esports academy development. The selection process, managed by a dedicated team of industry veterans, involves a multi-stage evaluation of financial and legal standing, with final partnerships expected to be announced in late 2024. While the initiative seeks to foster a robust local ecosystem, it operates within the context of ongoing international scrutiny regarding Saudi Arabia’s human rights record and the broader debate surrounding the country’s investment in global sports and entertainment.