New Global Sport Conference: Speaker Line-up 2024

The Esports World Cup Foundation has announced the speaker lineup for the second annual New Global Sport Conference, scheduled for August 24–25, 2024, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The event will feature approximately 48 industry leaders representing the sectors of esports, gaming, traditional sports, entertainment, and finance. Notable participating organizations include T1, Team Liquid, Gen.G Esports, ESL FACEIT Group, and Savvy Games Group.

The conference serves as a platform to discuss the future of fandom and the evolving landscape of global sports. Key themes for the 2024 iteration include the development of the Olympic Esports Games, strategies for modern sports heroism, and navigating growth within the gaming and entertainment industries. The event is expected to provide further clarity on Saudi government-backed initiatives, such as the Esports World Cup Foundation’s club support programs and potential partnerships for the inaugural 2025 Olympic Esports Games.

The conference is funded by a grant from the Saudi Arabian government, with operations facilitated by the ESL FACEIT Group, a subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund-owned Savvy Games Group. While the event attracts high-profile international executives and athletes, it remains a subject of scrutiny from international human rights organizations regarding the broader context of Saudi government investment in global entertainment and sports. The gathering coincides with the Esports Awards, which are hosted in Riyadh as part of a multi-year agreement.