Mohammed AlQahtani, the CEO of Saudi Arabia Holding Co., announced that it is building an esports city with $500 million as the country seeks to become a global hub for the industry. The city will be located in Riyadh and will have a capacity of 20,000 spectators, and will host a variety of esports events, including the World Cyber Games.
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The city is part of the Saudi Vision 2030 plan, which aims to diversify the country’s economy away from oil. The plan also includes a focus on developing the country’s gaming industry, which is already worth an estimated $1 billion. The city is scheduled to be completed in 2024.
Mohammed AlQahtani said, “The esports city is a significant development for the e-sports industry in Saudi Arabia. It is a sign of the country’s commitment to developing the industry and becoming a global hub for e-sports. The city is expected to attract major e-sports teams and players from around the world, and it will provide a platform for local talent to develop and compete on the global stage.”
Saudi Arabia has been investing heavily in developing its digital infrastructure, including high-speed internet connectivity, data centers, and cloud computing. This infrastructure is essential for the gaming industry as it enables seamless online gaming experiences, which are increasingly popular worldwide. Saudi Arabia’s investment in data centers and cloud computing will enable the creation of a robust gaming ecosystem that can support large-scale game development, hosting, and distribution.