eSports comes of age
Have eSports finally come of age? Fans and players have long recognized that gaming encompasses far more than just playing games. The competition and intensity of eSports are no different from that found in IRL sports. However, it has taken broadcasters, sponsors and sports bodies a long time to catch up and realize the enormous attraction and popularity of the genre. The skill and dedication of the professional players are unmatched. Maybe all those hours of screentime were not ‘wasted’ after all.
With the eSports World Cup offering a £51.5 million prize pot, the critics and detractors are having to think again. However, on this occasion, it is not about the seriousness of gaming as a Sport but the location, sponsorship and accusations of eSports washing. The video gaming tournament is being hosted in Saudi Arabia. With its record-breaking prize pot, it is drawing attention for all kinds of reasons. eSports had previously made both its Commonwealth Games and Olympic debuts with events that ran parallel to the more traditional events.
An epic event
The Esports World Cup, however, is a grand affair in its own right. It kicked off on July 10th in Boulevard City, Riyadh. The specially built village and arenas will see 2,000 players from 200 clubs battle it out in 25 separate tournaments. The action is scheduled to conclude on August 24th, and it is estimated that more than two and a half million people will come to spectate. No one is denying that eSports are now big business; the question now is how ethical it is for the events to take place in Saudi Arabia, which has a less-than-glowing human rights record. Discrimination against women and minorities is rife, and repression of free speech and the press is common. Many would say that is all being brushed aside in a dash for the prize money to come from competitive League of Legends, Call of Duty and even chess.
Some things are strictly forbidden
The irony that an eSports event is taking place in a country where iGaming and any form of sports betting is illegal is not lost on people critical of the event. Hosting the event might be part of the Saudi Vision 2030, but many feel that there has been a lack of vision on behalf of the organizers. Every sport is desperate for money and recognition, but is the focus wrong when it comes to this event? While eSports are highly popular in the country, being a spectator comes with many restrictions.
Many people enjoy betting on eSports, just as they do on traditional sports, or simply unwind with online slots and other casino games. All of those activities could land you in hot water in Saudi Arabia, so many fans will choose to stay away. Canadians, in particular, are infamous for their love of gambling and playing casino games. So while Canadian eSports fans might be cheering on their teams, they are more likely doing so from the comfort of their sofa, plugged into a YouTube broadcast stream. That way, they can be part of the action and also choose a top-rated Canadian PayPal casino site to play their favourite casino games while watching all the action from Riyadh.
Diversification
The kingdom needs to diversify beyond its current reliance on oil production. For decades, its disproportionately wealthy citizens have had no need to work, and computer games have become extremely popular in the country. Around 67% of the population are gamers, and this gives the country incredible clout within the market. As the country starts to transition away from oil, more citizens might also need to find employment, and the kingdom’s vision is to invest in different areas of the economy and create around 40,000 jobs.
However, there are growing accusations of “sportswashing” by Saudi Arabia, and the regime has been accused of investing in sporting events to distract attention from its wrongdoings. Many people think that the country is trying to reinvent itself by presenting a favourable and modern image, but there are deep underlying problems that cannot simply be ignored.
Catering to the masses or sports washing?
When the three-year partnership was announced in 2024, many stakeholders on the Esports Awards panel resigned. However, the chief operating officer of the Esports World Cup Foundation, Mike McCabe, defended the decision, claiming that the investment is a recognition of the interests of the Saudi population and it is bringing an event to them which they are already heavily invested in. With more than two-thirds identifying as gamers, there was a ready-made audience for the event.
McCabe’s argument was,
“Sportswashing really implies that we’re trying to change the reputation through sport. It’s just not true. We’re meeting the dreams and the ambitions of the people who live here. The majority of people who live in this country love games and love sports, and so why not give them the biggest show on Earth? When it comes to individual choices, we encourage people to come and visit – come and see for yourself.”
However, it is hard to deny that Saudi Arabia has been involved in rebranding itself, and eSports are also trying to widen their appeal beyond the gamer audience. The sold-out opening ceremony featured rapper Post Malone. Legendary footballer Cristiano Ronaldo (who now plays for and captains the Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr) is the Esports World Cup’s ambassador.
A festival of gaming
The teams will be competing over eight weeks, and there is a club championship cross-game format, with international clubs playing against one another. They are all vying for a share of that massive prize pot, and each win delivers points. The top-ranked club at the end of the tournament will be announced as the world champion. It all started with the EWC Festival, where fans could immerse themselves in the world of eSports. Alongside amateur CS:GO tournaments, there were retro arcades, cosplay competitions, anime cafes and a general “celebration of gaming”.
The festival was a far cry from the image of the solitary gamer, and fans around the globe were included, too. Major streaming platforms like Twitch and YouTube have been filled with live feeds from gaming influencers and official teams alike. Whether sportswashed or not, it does feel like an era-defining event.
