Introduction
The Middle East is a thriving hub for both hardcore and casual gamers, with Saudi Arabia leading the region by contributing around 45% to the gaming sector and surpassing a market value of $1.8 billion. This value is projected to reach $2.22 billion by 2030. The country’s gaming and esports sector is experiencing significant transformation, largely fueled by government initiatives. With an investment of $38 billion in the global gaming market, Saudi Arabia has emerged as a key player in the $184 billion industry. In 2023, the Kingdom hosted Gamers8, the largest esports and gaming event worldwide, attracting over 1.4 million attendees and engaging more than 132 million online viewers. Building on this success, the 2025 edition of Gamers8 is anticipated to surpass these figures, reflecting the Kingdom’s commitment to becoming a global hub for gaming and esports.
Saudi Arabia is set to make a significant mark on the gaming industry by capitalizing on its established gamer community, fostering local talent, strengthening governance, and exploring investment opportunities. With a diverse population and high consumer engagement, Saudi gamers are actively contributing to the industry’s progress. The market has seen remarkable growth and is on track for further expansion, thanks to significant financial backing from both government and private entities, alongside a dedicated and passionate gaming community.
Gaming Culture and Market Potential
With a strong and growing gaming culture, Saudi Arabia is home to around 23.5 million gamers, representing 67% of its total population. An estimated 68% of residents actively engage in gaming, driven by the country’s youthful population and widespread smartphone and internet usage. As the largest economy in the Arab world, the Kingdom has a strong preference for mobile gaming, which generates nearly 80% of total gaming revenues. With continuous growth in the industry, projections indicate that Saudi Arabia’s gaming market revenue will reach $1.36 billion by 2026.
With a projected annual growth rate of 8.53% from 2025 to 2028, the market size is expected to reach US$2.29 billion by 2028.
The Savvy Gaming Group, a subsidiary of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, is driving the expansion and innovation of the Kingdom’s gaming sector. The group’s efforts focus on establishing top-tier gaming studios and acquiring high-quality games to elevate the gaming experience. With 86 initiatives in place, the strategy targets eight fundamental areas: technology and hardware, game production, esports, ancillary services, infrastructure, regulation, education, and talent acquisition. By 2030, Saudi Arabia plans to launch 250 gaming companies, generate 39,000 new jobs, and elevate the gaming sector’s contribution to the national GDP to 50 billion riyals.
The Saudi government is drafting regulations to create a supportive ecosystem for the gaming industry. These measures include licensing for game developers, publishers, and esports teams, legal frameworks for intellectual property protection, and governance of online payments and digital transactions.
The Kingdom’s National Strategy for Gaming and Esports
With a clear ambition to establish itself as a global gaming and esports powerhouse, Saudi Arabia is dedicated to elevating the gaming experience, investing in innovative game ventures, and drawing international investors. The country’s 2030 strategy aims to generate $13.3 billion in economic contributions, develop a wide range of new games, and build a strong pool of professional esports players. This plan revolves around three essential elements: advancing the gaming landscape, nurturing game startups, and driving economic growth through investments, job creation, and educational programs in gaming and esports.
Saudi’s Gaming and Esports Hub at Qiddiya City
Saudi Arabia is set to launch a world-class gaming and esports district within Qiddiya City, reinforcing its commitment to becoming a dominant force in the global gaming industry. Covering 500,000 square meters, the district will accommodate up to 25 esports teams at a time and act as the regional headquarters for over 30 video game companies. By 2030, it aims to attract 10 million visitors annually, contributing to Qiddiya City’s broader goal of reaching 48 million visitors per year. Initially announced in December 2023, the project includes four high-tech esports arenas, one of which is projected to rank among the world’s three largest esports venues. These facilities, with a combined seating capacity of 73,000, will host premier esports tournaments throughout the year.
Saudi Arabia: The Home of Esports World Cup
In the summer of 2024, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, hosted the inaugural Esports World Cup, a landmark event aimed at driving the gaming sector’s contribution to the nation’s GDP beyond SAR 50 billion while creating 39,000 jobs by 2030. Building on the success of the 2024 event, Riyadh will host the Esports World Cup annually, showcasing the most popular games across various genres and presenting the largest prize pool in esports history.
The Esports World Cup is a crucial step in Saudi Arabia’s vision to become a global powerhouse in gaming and esports, delivering a next-level competitive gaming experience. This initiative aligns with Vision 2030, supporting economic diversification, tourism growth, job creation, and the expansion of world-class entertainment options for residents, citizens, and international visitors.
Launch Your Gaming Business in Saudi Arabia with Al Taasis
Saudi Arabia’s rapidly expanding gaming industry presents an exciting opportunity for entrepreneurs looking to establish a gaming company. With strong government support and a thriving market, now is the perfect time to enter this dynamic sector. Al Taasis offers expert guidance and in-depth knowledge of the local landscape to help you navigate the challenges of launching and managing your gaming business in Saudi Arabia.
• Business Setup: Our team ensures a smooth company registration process, assisting with licensing, permits, and regulatory compliance.
• Strategic Networking: With our local presence, we connect you with potential partners, investors, and key players in the Saudi gaming ecosystem.
• Operational Support: From securing office space to hiring skilled local professionals, we help streamline your setup and operations.
• Ongoing Advisory: As your business evolves, Al Taasis provides continuous support, helping you adapt to market changes, expand your reach, and stay ahead in the industry.
Begin your Saudi business journey today!
