Solidifying its status as an epicenter for the esports and entertainment industries, the Saudi capital, Riyadh, will host the second New Global Sports Conference (NGSC) from August 24 to 25, 2024. This pivotal event will delve into the profound impact of esports on multiple sectors and contribute to the realization of Saudi Arabia's ambitious Vision 2030. Themed "The Future of Fandom," the conference is set to explore new dimensions in the landscape of esports and entertainment with a focus on in-depth analysis of how fans interact with esports and the impact of this interaction on the wider industry.
Set against the backdrop of the luxurious Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh, the conference will open its arms to more than 1,000 top-tier esports and gaming industry leaders. With over 60 international speakers from diverse backgrounds, the event promises to be a dynamic platform for industry discourse, especially considering Saudi Arabia's high esports engagement rate, with approximately 67% of the total population in Saudi Arabia playing video games. The conference will feature a stellar lineup of global figures in the gaming and esports industry, including H.
E. Abdullah Alswaha , Minister of Communications and Information Technology; HRH Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan , Chairman of the Saudi Esports Federation; Brian Ward , CEO, Savvy Games Group; Arnold Hur , CEO, Gen.G Esports; Mike Milanov , Chairman - Advisory Board, Gaming & Esports at Qiddiya; Ralf Reichert , CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation; Magnus Carlsen , World Chess Champion; Toshimoto Mitomo , Executive Deputy President and CSO, Sony; Lisa Hanson , CEO of Niko Partners; Andrew Chen , General Partner at Andreessen Horowitz; Dr.
Song Yi Yoon , Managing Partner of Principal Venture Partners and Trustee of the Asian Art Museum Foundation of San Francisco; Sir Leonard Blavatnik , Founder of Access Industries and Owner of DAZN; and Jann Mardenborough , Sim Racer & Motorsports Driver . This gathering of influential figures solidifies the conference's position as a global stage for the gaming industry. The conference will cover a wide range of topics, from fan engagement in sports and esports to innovative revenue-generating strategies.
It will also highlight the pivotal role of technology in shaping the future of sports, particularly in the realm of esports. The conference will explore the latest trends and strategies for enhancing fan loyalty and driving industry growth, including how AI and social media can be harnessed to build passionate esports communities. Moreover, the conference will examine vital topics such as the evolution of esports from a niche subculture to a global phenomenon and its potential to contribute to other sectors, highlighting its far-reaching impact beyond the gaming world.
The event organizers revealed that a special panel discussion titled "Games, Esports, and Sports: A Gateway for the Kingdom's Connection with the World" will be held. This session will bring together leading industry experts to discuss the pivotal role of gaming, esports, and sports as a window for Saudi Arabia to the world, and how the growth of this sector aligns with the National Esports and Gaming Strategy launched two years ago with the aim of positioning Saudi Arabia as a leading global hub for the sector by 2030. The New Global Sport Conference is expected to have a significant impact on the global esports sector, especially in light of the announcement that Saudi Arabia will host the inaugural Olympic Esports Games 2025.
The event will provide an ideal platform to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing esports and highlight its growing role in shaping youth culture. With a global market value of $187 billion, the gaming and esports industry surpasses both the music and film industries combined. This economic powerhouse serves as a key driver of the global economy, offering countless opportunities for growth and prosperity.
Saudi Arabia is aligning itself with this rapid growth, as its gaming and esports sector experience remarkable development, supported by Vision 2030 and its National Esports and Gaming Strategy, with the aim to create 39,000 jobs and contribute $13.3 billion to the Saudi economy by 2030..
