Signature property
Esports World Cup Riyadh 2025[2]
Riyadh-hosted EWC edition tracked in PTG's competition record.
City
Riyadh
Riyadh is Saudi Arabia's esports investment and destination-event market, with the Esports World Cup legacy, Qiddiya's planned gaming district, and a growing ecosystem of venues and operating partners.
Share this page
Updated September 27, 2026Market snapshot
2026 status
EWC moved to Paris[4]
The EWC FAQ identifies Paris as the 2026 host and says the event is intended to return to Riyadh in 2027.
Planned gaming district
Qiddiya Gaming & Esports[5]
Qiddiya City is planned 45 km from central Riyadh, with gaming and esports infrastructure within a wider destination development.
Venue scale
73,000 seats planned[5]
Qiddiya describes more than 73,000 seats across sports venues in the wider city plan.
Local policy
A sourced operational overview, not legal advice. Requirements should be rechecked before launch.
TopicCurrent positionCommercial implication
Topic
Long-term event platform
Current position
Riyadh hosted the 2025 Esports World Cup, while the 2026 edition was moved to Paris and the EWC FAQ points to a Riyadh return in 2027.[2][4]
Commercial implication
Riyadh remains a strategic event market, but contracts and calendar assumptions must distinguish confirmed editions from longer-term intent.
Verified Sep 11, 2026
Topic
Qiddiya development
Current position
Qiddiya City positions gaming and esports as a dedicated district within a planned destination approximately 45 km from downtown Riyadh.[5]
Commercial implication
Future projects should track district delivery, venue commissioning, transport and commercial availability rather than treat planned capacity as currently operational.
Verified Sep 11, 2026
Market ecosystem
International competitions
The Esports World Cup established Riyadh as a recurring reference point for Saudi Arabia's esports event strategy.
Planned venues and districts
Qiddiya's gaming and esports district is a future-facing infrastructure anchor rather than a fully delivered venue inventory.
Market continuity
Riyadh's 2024 and 2025 EWC editions show the city's role in the property before the 2026 Paris edition.
Competitive teams
Teams with a structured location relationship to this city.
Events and competition
EventDateVenue
Date
Jul 7, 2025 – Aug 24, 2025
Venue
Venue not separately profiled
Date
Jul 3, 2024 – Aug 25, 2024
Venue
Venue not separately profiled
Date
Date TBC
Venue
Venue not separately profiled
Date
Date TBC
Venue
Venue not separately profiled
Date
Date TBC
Venue
Venue not separately profiled
References23
- [1]Kingdom of Saudi Arabia — Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia
- [2]Esports World Cup Riyadh 2025 — Press The Game
- [3]Esports World Cup Riyadh 2024 — Press The Game
- [4]Esports World Cup FAQ — Esports World Cup Foundation
- [5]Qiddiya City — Qiddiya
- [6]Riyadh Skyline.jpg — Wikimedia Commons
- [7]EWCF Confirms $45 Million Commitment to Players — Esports World Cup Foundation
- [8]Esports Nations Cup FAQ — Esports Foundation
- [9]Meet the ENC 26 Field: Counter-Strike 2 — Esports Nations Cup
- [10]EWCF postpones ENC to November 2027 — Esports Nations Cup
- [11]Esports Foundation Postpones Inaugural ENC — Esports Foundation
- [12]Esports World Cup official retrospective — Esports World Cup
- [13]2024 Esports World Cup — Wikipedia
- [14]L'Arabie saoudite, organisatrice et grande gagnante de l'Esports World Cup — Le Monde
- [15]Team Falcons Crowned Esports World Cup 2025 Club Champions After Seven Weeks of Record-Breaking Competition — Esports World Cup Foundation
- [16]2025 Esports World Cup — Wikipedia
- [17]Team Falcons wins Esports World Cup Club Championship — Esports Insider
- [18]IOC announces Olympic Esports Games in Saudi Arabia — Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee
- [19]Olympic Esports Games in Saudi Arabia cancelled — BBC News
- [20]IOC Statement on the Olympic Esports Games — International Olympic Committee
- [21]New Global Sport Conference will return in 2027 — New Global Sport Conference
- [22]The New Global Sport Conference Returns to Riyadh October 30 - November 1, Ahead of the Esports Nations Cup 2026 — Esports Foundation via PR Newswire
- [23]New Global Sport Conference official website — New Global Sport Conference
Work with Press The Game
Bring an opportunity to the table
Looking for media reach, industry insight or the right esports partner? Bring us your brief—we’ll help move it forward.
Related coverage
News and features
NewsSep 22, 2026
New Global Sport Conference moves its Riyadh conference to 2027
NGSC has moved its next Riyadh conference from October 30–November 1, 2026 to 2027. A mid-August return is expected, but exact dates and venue are unannounced.
NewsAug 18, 2026
Esports Foundation postpones inaugural Esports Nations Cup to November 2027
The Esports Foundation has postponed the inaugural Esports Nations Cup in Riyadh from November 2026 to November 2027, while keeping its Development Fund commitments and ecosystem programs in place.
InterviewAug 13, 2026
Inside EWC’s Eight-Week Move to Paris: Mike McCabe on Going Global
Esports Foundation COO and Deputy CEO Mike McCabe recounts an eight-week relocation to Paris and discusses integration, the Club Championship and China.