The esports industry is growing. It keeps on leveling up to new heights due to its rising popularity.
Placed another mark on the calendar, the competitive world of Esports gaming has another milestone. On August 24th and 25th, 2024, the New Global Sport Conference (NGSC) hosted esports in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The conference served as an opportunity for the rapidly growing esports industry to further their knowledge and such.
Embracing “The Future of Fandom”
It is undeniable that fandom has contributed a lot to the growth of the esports industry. More teams and players gained recognition and earned massive followings that boosted the popularity of esports gaming. For this year’s conference, the New Global Sports Conference chose “The Future of Fandom.”.
With NGSC, they explored the trends and strategies for both traditional sports and esports. The conference recognized the global influence of competitive gaming as it records over 3.4 billion people engaged in gaming worldwide and its approximately 234 million esports players.
The event brought together more than 1000 attendees for a discussion. More than 60 international speakers and over 1,200 entrepreneurs and experts, including the prominent CEOs in sport, esports, and other ventures, to make a grand event in the esports world.
Key Speakers and Topics
During the two-day conference, the NGSC invited an impressive lineup of speakers, including:
- HRH Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud (Saudi Esports Federation Chairman)
- Ralf Reichert (Esports World Cup Foundation CEO)
- Joe Marsh (T1 CEO)
- Maya Rogers (Tetris CEO)
- Shay Segev (DAZN Group CEO)
- Toshimoto Mitomo (Executive Deputy President and CSO of Sony Group Corporation)
These known industry leaders discussed a wide range of topics along with other speakers. In their discussions, it opened up the integration of esports into the prestigious Olympic Games. The leaders also shared insights on the diversity, inclusion, and social responsibility present in the gaming industry.
Furthermore, it talked about fostering the relationship between traditional sports and esports clubs. Much more, there have also been fashion trends in the esports world. Lastly, how the MENA video games market growth is being navigated.
Olympic Esports and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030
It has been an anticipated discussion at the NGSC. Saudi Arabia is set to host the inaugural Olympic Esports Games in 2025. This event marks a historic partnership for the International Olympic Committee as well as Saudi Arabia. This partnership will last for 12 years and will serve as a reminder of the recognition given to esports as a legitimate competitive field.
Moreover, the conference is aligned with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. In hosting esports conferences and competitions, they have been establishing Riyadh as the global hub for esports, gaming, entertainment, and sports. Saudi Arabia is expecting “Game On, Saudi Arabia” to delve into aligning this vision with the country’s initiatives in regards to esports.
Esports World Cup and Industry Announcements
Definitely, the ongoing Esports World Cup in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, captured the interest of the NGSC. The multi-title event with a $60 million prize pool has been making an impact on the esports community. This major tournament became a point of discussion for attendees.
Moreover, the event also serves as a venue to tease some “industry announcements.” Some breaking news and brewing partnerships are expected to be revealed on the final day of the conference.
Conclusion
It’s a shift in the sports landscape, yet it is a needed one. The esports community has been growing opportunities across the world to rise in popularity. With the New Global Sport Conference, it furthers its influence on other industries like businesses, technology, and the like. Moreover, the bringing of leaders together helped to build bridges through collaborations and innovations to take the gaming scene to new heights.
As early as now, expect changes in the esports landscape as it gains acknowledgement and support from established organizations and international bodies. Also, keep Riyadh on your watchlist, as you’ll see them more for esports competitions in the upcoming years.
