The second day of the New Global Sport Conference (NGSC 2025) opened in Riyadh today, coinciding with the closing week of the 2025 Esports World Cup.
Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Esports Federation (SEF) Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan delivered the opening speech, stressing that the conference serves as a pioneering platform bringing together leading figures and experts in the esports sector from around the world. He said its goal is to shape the future of the industry and build strategic partnerships that will propel it to greater heights.
He highlighted the launch of the Esports Nations Cup, announced yesterday as the first tournament dedicated to national team competitions, describing it as a milestone that elevates esports to the level of a national sport. The initiative, he said, fosters pride among players representing their countries and enhances the experience for fans supporting their favorite teams and athletes.
Prince Faisal noted that Saudi Arabia is rapidly building an integrated ecosystem for esports, having launched 36 strategic initiatives that open promising opportunities across multiple sectors. He stressed that esports has become an important economic driver supporting tourism and culture, pointing to the Kingdom’s successful hosting of summer events that attracted large public participation in more than 25 electronic games, with notable family attendance.
He concluded by reaffirming the Kingdom’s commitment to investing in esports and strengthening its sustainable infrastructure to secure a prosperous future for the sector.
Main sessions continued throughout the day, focusing on the global future of esports and advancing strategic cooperation to support its growth.
