Aramco Boosts Esports World Cup with High-Tech Gaming Arena

Aramco partners with the Esports World Cup to launch the Aramco SIM Arena, a cutting-edge simulator zone in Riyadh, allowing racing enthusiasts to compete in community tournaments.

This summer, the Aramco SIM Arena will offer hyper-realistic simulators, providing an experience akin to driving a Formula 1 car. The partnership between the Esports World Cup Foundation and Aramco extends the oil company's sponsorship, emphasising Saudi Arabia’s growing investment in the gaming sector.

Starting July 3, Riyadh will host an eight-week festival featuring a 21-game global championship with over $60 million in prize money, the largest in esports history. The event will include gaming activations, community tournaments, and pop culture celebrations.

Aramco’s involvement builds on previous sponsorships of Gamers Without Borders and Gamers8: The Land of Heroes festival. This collaboration aims to promote economic development, provide opportunities for young people, and showcase Saudi talent on the global stage.

Saudi Arabia’s National Gaming and Esports Strategy aims to contribute $13 billion to the Kingdom’s GDP by 2030. Prince Faisal bin Bandar, chairman of the Saudi Esports Federation, highlighted the nation's goal of contributing 1 percent of GDP through gaming, noting that 68 percent of the population identifies as gamers.

This partnership underscores Saudi Arabia's commitment to becoming a global hub for gaming and esports, further solidifying its place in the industry.