BUSINESS: ESL FACEIT Group opens Saudi broadcast hub

ESL FACEIT Group has just announced the opening of its very own broadcast hub in Riyadh.

In a press statement issued May 29th, the esports and video game entertainment juggernaut said it opened the new broadcast hub to support its ongoing growth in the Middle East and North Africa or MENA region.

“The move marks EFG’s expansion of its regional footprint into one of the youngest and fastest-growing gaming communities in the world, with the vision of making the experience of global premier esports events more accessible to Middle Eastern audiences,” ESL FACEIT Group said in a statement.

Local Saudi Arabian casting and production talent is expected to kick off the use of this Riyadh Broadcast Hub through the Overwatch Champions Series (OWCS) Arabic broadcast, with the event being held at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Center during DreamHack Dallas.

The OWCS Dallas Major, a joint effort between Blizzard Entertainment and EFG, will feature eight top global teams, including Saudi Arabia’s Twisted Minds, competing over three days. The tournament boasts a prize pool funded by crowdfunding, with the winning team securing a spot at the Esports World Cup. Fans in Saudi Arabia and the MENA region can watch the matches with commentary from EFG’s local team.

Additionally, fans in the region will gain access to exclusive Overwatch 2 content through a partnership with Porsche, which includes in-game cosmetics inspired by Porsche’s new all-electric Macan model.

This event marks the beginning of a long-term commitment from EFG, the operator of Gamers8 and Esports World Cup, and a global partner of Qiddiya Esports & Gaming district. EFG aims to bring top-tier international competitions to the MENA community, including the Snapdragon Pro Series and the Intel Extreme Masters Counter-Strike circuit, with Arabic broadcasts from Riyadh.

Moreover, EFG will host Arabic live-stream events featuring AAA game titles, including the Mobile Legends: Bang Bang finals from Jakarta, Indonesia, scheduled for August 2 – August 4, 2024. More titles and event dates will be announced soon.

“Saudi Arabia is one of the fastest-growing esports markets in the world with a thriving gaming fanbase, and the national initiatives like Vision 2030 showcase the country’s desire to fuel not only local gaming growth but contribute to the industry’s international success,” said Franck Guignery, SVP, Middle East and Africa, ESL FACEIT Group. “We are thrilled to bring our premier esports programming to the region and to help its passionate players, fans, and creators build deeper connections with the global community of their favorite brands and titles, and most importantly, with each other.”

The positioning of the broadcast hub is also strategic, with Riyadh set to host the 2024 Esports World Cup.