The Road to Riyadh

Chris Chan (L) hands over the Global Esports Federation flag to HRH Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud at the Closing Ceremony of Istanbul 2022 Global Esports Games.

As the Istanbul 2022 Global Esports Games wrapped, eyes are turned to Saudi Arabia’s capital, to be the host of the 2023 Global Esports Federation’s flagship event – Riyadh 2023 Global Esports Games. After a wonderful time in Türkey, the organizers are rallying to stage a thrilling event in December 2023.

For HRH Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud, GEF Vice President, President of the Saudi Esports Federation and Arab Esports Federation, there is further responsibility in his new role as Chair of the Coordination Commission of the Global Esports Games 2023 in Saudi Arabia and 2024 in China.

HRH Prince Faisal is excited to welcome the world to the Saudi capital and looks forward to showcasing the progress of the development of esports and gaming in the process.

“There is an outdated perception of gamers as people locked in basements. Gamers are athletes, they are sociable, and they are good people. They love to be part of a community,” said HRH Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud.

The Saudi esports scene is helping to showcase that point. “Sixty-eight percent of our community consider themselves gamers, and it is well-balanced between men and women,” he added.

 

The Global Esports Games will be staged in Riyadh in December 2023, providing a prestigious platform for national teams to represent their flags and showcase to the world their talents and skills as athletes.

With Mind Sports South Africa (MSSA) being the member representing South Africa, MSSA will be doing everything within its power to ensure that South Africa will be represented at Riyadh.

MSSA sees the Global Esports Games as an important event in the overall development of esports as a sport.

Additional reading:

• 2023 Calendar of Events
• Affiliation: Private Clubs
• Affiliation - School
• GEF - The Road to Riyadh
• Titles - esports: Premier Championships
• Titles - esports: Student Championships

Global Esports Games headed to Singapore, Istanbul and Riyadh

Global Esports Games Headed to Singapore, Istanbul, and Riyadh GEF confirms Asia, Europe and the Middle East for its flagship event.

Singapore, May 11, 2021 – Launching a runway into worldwide expansion, the Global Esports Federation Board unveiled the first three host cities for its premier flagship event: Singapore 2021, Istanbul 2022 and Riyadh 2023. 

The Global Esports Games, held each year in December, will convene the world in a celebration of esports, virtual sport, music and entertainment. 

The GEG will feature teams from across the world participating in multi-title esports competitions and active esports. 

In parallel, GEFcon, a global convention of thought leaders, and the GEFestival, a dynamic celebration of inclusive esports culture highlighting music, art, technology, fashion, food and much more, promise to add to the diverse, immersive and world-class program. 

“The Global Esports Games has drawn overwhelming interest. We have undergone a rigorous selection process,” said Chris Chan, President, Global Esports Federation, “Now the work and creativity truly begin as we set the stage for the world’s esports athletes and players to shine.” 

“The first Global Esports Games to be held in December this year will provide the opportunity to showcase esports to the world”, said Ng Chong Geng, President, Singapore Esports Association (SGEA). 

"We are grateful to have the opportunity to host this truly historic event". Co-Chairs of the Coordination Commission for the Global Esports Games, Angela Ruggiero and Luzeng Song, noted that appointing the right host cities is a key to success. “We will lend our support and guidance so the host cities can unleash their full potential,” Ruggiero said, “and so the incredible untold stories of the power of esports – and sport as the future of entertainment – can be unlocked, too.” 

Paul J. Foster, Chief Executive Officer, Global Esports Federation, said the energy, skill and passion of esports, and the technologies that drive it, are captured in the GEF motto: #worldconnected. Carrying that forward to the Global Esports Games, he said, “We have listened to the athletes and players, the incredible publishers and developers, and the wider community to create a platform for athletes to shine, representing countries and territories as in other prestigious multi-sport competitions.” 

Media Contact: Issued by the Global Esports Federation. 

For media inquiries, please email media@globalesports.org, or contact Gabriel Q. Chan on +65 9182 7713. 

Also read:

• The Shaping the Future of Esports Today
• Global Esports Federation Approves Commissions for 2021
• Inaugural #worldconnected Series Launched to Convene the World’s Esports Community
• Christophe Dubi on the Future of the Olympic Games.
• Global Esports Federation appoints first Chief Executive Officer