The New Global Sport Conference 2024 (NGSC) themed ‘The Future of Fandom’ is set to take place from 24-25 August at the Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh Kingdom Centre. Bringing together more than 60 global speakers and around 800 delegates from various industries, including gaming, esports, technology, sports, entertainment, business, and investment, the conference will help to conclude the Esports World Cup currently taking place at Boulevard Riyadh City.
‘Game On, Saudi Arabia’ – a dynamic panel discussion at the NGSC featuring H.E. Eng. Abdullah Alswaha, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Communications & Information Technology as a guest speaker is set to explore the Kingdom’s rapidly growing influence in the global esports industry. Delving into Saudi’s emergence as a major player in the sport, the panel will focus on how gaming and esports align with the Kingdom’s National Gaming and Esports Strategy to become a global hub in the sector by 2030.
Alongside H.E. Alswaha, the panel will be joined by HRH Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan, the Chairman of the Saudi Esports Federation; Brian Ward, the CEO of Savvy Games Group; Arnold Hur, the CEO of Gen.G Esports; and Mike Milanov, the Chairman of the Advisory Board for Gaming and Esports at Qiddiya. Moderating the session will be Joe Pompliano, the Managing Partner of Pomp Investments.
HRH Prince Faisal said, “With Saudi Arabia opening its doors to the world, gaming and esports have been at the forefront of transforming the Kingdom’s economic, social, and cultural landscape into a dynamic hub of creativity and engagement. ‘Game On, Saudi Arabia’ at the New Global Sport Conference will explore how this has been achieved and the next steps that are planned to ensure our gaming and esports journey fulfills the objectives of the National Gaming and Esports Strategy. We aim to become a global hub for gaming and esports, elevate the sector, contribute meaningfully to its development, and shape its future on a global scale.”
Among the many discussions will be ‘The rise of modern sports heroes who balance traditional sports and gaming,’ where speakers will tackle a global debate around the positioning, value and impact of esports athletes. Another topic is ‘Fan Engagement in Sports and Esports’, where speakers will explore the latest trends and strategies including the use of social media, gamification, real-time interaction, personalised fan experiences, innovative marketing tactics, and AI-driven content to enhance fan loyalty and drive growth.
With over 3.4 billion gamers worldwide and an estimated 234 million esports athletes, the world of competitive gaming is not just a niche hobby but a global phenomenon. Esports athletes exhibit the same dedication, discipline, and physical prowess as traditional sports stars. Their hard training regimens, strategic thinking, and ability to perform under pressure are comparable to those of any top-tier athlete.
Inspired by the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia has become one of the few countries with a National Gaming & Esports Strategy, highlighting its commitment to leading and innovating in this dynamic industry.
