Saudi Arabia to Build $500 Million "Esports City"

The government of Saudi Arabia has unveiled plans to build a state-of-the-art esports complex in Riyadh called "Esports City." The project, set to be completed by the end of next year, will receive a whopping $500 million investment.

The primary objective of Esports City is to bolster and nurture the local esports scene while also attracting international professional gamers and teams. One of the main highlights of the complex will be a massive stadium capable of accommodating up to 20,000 spectators for thrilling esports tournaments and events.

In a notable development, the Prince of Saudi Arabia has been appointed as the Vice President of the International Esports Federation, highlighting the country's dedication to advancing the esports industry.

To kickstart this ambitious venture, Riyadh will host the highly anticipated Gamers8 esports festival in July. The event will feature the prestigious Riyadh Masters 2023 tournament for Dota 2, boasting an impressive $15 million prize pool. Participants will include the champion of DreamLeague S19, finalists from DreamLeague S20, and five additional teams based on their outstanding performance across both DreamLeague seasons.