Saudi Esports Federation and Merak Capital Sign Agreement

Key insights

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Formalizing cooperation

The Saudi Esports Federation and Merak Capital have signed an MoU to expand gaming and esports initiatives.

The Saudi Esports Federation (SEF) and Riyadh-based investment firm Merak Capital have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding.

Strategic objectives

The partnership aims to develop training programs, foster global partnerships, and attract international gaming studios.

The collaboration focuses on implementing comprehensive gaming and esports training programs for citizens and cultivating global industry partnerships.

Partnership goals. The partnership aims to develop training programs for citizens, foster global partnerships, host regional events, and attract international gaming studios to Saudi Arabia.

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Summary

The Saudi Esports Federation (SEF) and Riyadh-based investment firm Merak Capital have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to formalize a strategic partnership aimed at advancing the gaming and esports sector within Saudi Arabia. Finalized at the New Global Sport Conference in August 2025, the agreement seeks to accelerate the development of local talent and infrastructure, aligning with the broader objectives of the nation’s Vision 2030 initiative.

The collaboration focuses on several key operational areas, including the implementation of comprehensive gaming and esports training programs for citizens, the cultivation of global industry partnerships, and the hosting of regional events. Furthermore, the organizations intend to leverage their combined resources to attract international gaming studios to establish a presence within the Kingdom. This partnership builds upon the existing $80 million Merak Gaming Fund, which was launched in January 2025 as part of a larger government-led financing program supported by the National Development Fund and the Social Development Bank.

By integrating investment expertise with the leadership of the Saudi Esports Federation, the initiative aims to diversify the national economy away from fossil fuel dependency. While the partnership represents a significant push into the global gaming market, it remains part of a broader, state-backed strategy that has drawn scrutiny from international human rights organizations regarding the government's use of sports and entertainment investments to improve its global standing. Financial terms of the specific agreement between the SEF and Merak Capital were not disclosed.