Esports World Cup Foundation

The Esports World Cup Foundation is a Saudi Arabian nonprofit organization established in 2023 to promote the development and international growth of esports and gaming. It was created as part of Saudi Arabia's broader effort, under Saudi Vision 2030, to become a major global center for sports, entertainment, technology, and interactive media. The organization is funded by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund and is headquartered in Riyadh. The Foundation's principal activity is the organization and oversight of the annual Esports World Cup, a multi-title esports festival held in Riyadh. The tournament brings together professional players and clubs from multiple competitive gaming disciplines and has been promoted as the largest professional esports event by aggregate prize pool. The inaugural 2024 edition included 22 game titles and a reported prize pool of US$62.5 million. The 2025 edition expanded to 25 tournaments across 24 titles, with a total prize pool exceeding US$70 million. Its centerpiece is the Club Championship, which ranks participating organizations across games rather than treating each title as an isolated competition. The Foundation also operates the Club Partner Program, originally introduced as the Club Support Program. This initiative provides financial support to selected esports organizations using criteria that include competitive performance, organizational strategy, and fan engagement. Thirty clubs were selected in 2024, while the program expanded to 40 clubs in 2025 and distributed US$20 million directly to participating organizations. The program is intended to encourage stronger professional structures, broaden audiences, and create more financially sustainable esports clubs. In 2025, the organization announced the Esports Nations Cup, a recurring international competition based on national teams rather than commercial clubs. The event is planned for Riyadh and is intended to involve national esports bodies, traditional sports organizations, nongovernmental organizations, publishers, and other designated partner institutions. Electronic Arts, Krafton, Tencent, and Ubisoft were identified as publishing partners in the announcement. The competition was initially scheduled for 2026 and subsequently moved to 2027. The Foundation's wider activities include Esports Spotlight, a YouTube-based media initiative featuring esports competitors, creators, and public figures. It was also announced as a founding partner of the planned Olympic Esports Games in Riyadh, with a proposed role in game selection and qualification pathways. Talks with the International Olympic Committee later broke down, and the Foundation withdrew from the Olympic Esports Games project. Ralf Reichert, a co-founder of ESL and a long-time esports executive, became the Foundation's chief executive in October 2023. In September 2025, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was named chair of the board of trustees. On March 31, 2026, the organization announced a change of name to the Esports Foundation. The rebrand was presented as reflecting a broader mandate that includes both the Esports World Cup and the Esports Nations Cup. The organization has attracted criticism because of its close relationship with the Saudi state and its role in promoting Saudi Arabia as an international esports destination. Critics describe the Esports World Cup and related initiatives as sportswashing, arguing that they can divert attention from concerns involving human rights, LGBTQ+ rights, women's rights, and freedom of expression. Some teams, players, and gaming communities have declined participation or criticized the events for those reasons. The Foundation has also faced a dispute with South Korea's esports governing structure over the proposed selection process for national-team rosters for the Esports Nations Cup. The disagreement led to the removal of the Korea e-Sports Association from its partner role before the parties later agreed to its return.

The Esports World Cup Foundation emerged from Saudi Arabia's long-term strategy to establish the kingdom as a leading center for esports and gaming. Its creation was announced on July 30, 2023, by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the context of Saudi Vision 2030. The initiative sought to combine large-scale events, investment, club development, and international partnerships in order to expand the country's role in a rapidly growing global entertainment sector. The Foundation was formally established as a nonprofit in September 2023 and funded by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. It assumed responsibility for organizing the Esports World Cup from the Saudi Esports Federation. The transfer created a dedicated institution for a competition intended to bring multiple game publishers, professional clubs, players, and audiences together in one annual event. Ralf Reichert, known for co-founding ESL and for his leadership in international esports, became chief executive in October 2023. The first Esports World Cup took place in Riyadh in 2024. It used a multi-title format and featured 22 games, with a reported aggregate prize pool of US$62.5 million. Rather than limiting the event to individual game championships, the Foundation established a Club Championship that rewarded organizations for results across several titles. This format made the competition relevant to multi-game esports clubs and gave the event a single overarching narrative for fans, sponsors, and media partners. The Foundation complemented the tournament with a club-support mechanism. Initially called the Club Support Program and later renamed the Club Partner Program, it provided financial assistance to selected organizations according to factors such as competitive achievements, strategic development, and fan engagement. Thirty clubs received places in the 2024 program. In 2025, participation grew to 40 clubs and the program distributed US$20 million directly to them. Continued eligibility was tied to efforts to increase viewership and engagement, reflecting the Foundation's aim to support both sporting performance and commercial sustainability. The 2025 Esports World Cup expanded to 25 tournaments across 24 titles. It offered a prize pool exceeding US$70 million and attracted more than 2,000 players from over 100 countries and 200 clubs. Team Falcons won the Club Championship and received a reported US$7 million prize. ESL handled tournament administration while the Foundation supervised the broader event. Competitions were staged at Riyadh venues including Boulevard City locations, the SEF Arena, and the stc Play Gaming Hall. The event's championship trophy was designed by Thomas Lyte. The Foundation broadened its mission beyond club competition in August 2025 with the announcement of the Esports Nations Cup. This proposed recurring event uses national teams, with representation expected to involve esports federations, traditional sports organizations, nongovernmental organizations, and other designated partners. Electronic Arts, Krafton, Tencent, and Ubisoft were named among the participating publishers or partners. The inaugural competition was initially planned for November 2026 and later moved to November 2027, with Riyadh remaining the planned host city. The organization's other projects include Esports Spotlight, a YouTube channel centered on professional players, creators, celebrities, and gaming culture. In 2025, it was also identified as a founding partner of the planned Olympic Esports Games in Riyadh in 2027. The proposed partnership was intended to connect esports with the Olympic movement through game selection and qualification systems. Discussions with the International Olympic Committee later collapsed, reportedly in the context of differences surrounding the Foundation's separate national-team competition, and the Foundation withdrew from the Olympic project. The organization has faced persistent criticism over its ownership and political context. Human-rights advocates and some esports participants have characterized the Esports World Cup as sportswashing, arguing that the event can improve Saudi Arabia's global image while drawing attention away from restrictions involving LGBTQ+ people, women, and freedom of expression. Withdrawals and objections from teams, players, and communities have made these concerns part of the Foundation's public identity. A separate dispute concerned the proposed selection of South Korean players for the Esports Nations Cup. The Foundation was alleged to have pressed for certain players despite KeSPA's selection process, leading to KeSPA's removal as national partner. The two organizations later reached an arrangement that allowed KeSPA to return. On September 3, 2025, Mohammed bin Salman was named chair of the board of trustees. On March 31, 2026, the organization adopted the shorter name Esports Foundation, presenting the change as a reflection of its responsibility for both the Esports World Cup and the Esports Nations Cup. The rebrand positions the Foundation as a broader esports institution rather than an entity associated only with one annual tournament.

1. 2026Renamed Esports Foundation

   The organization adopted the name Esports Foundation to reflect its broader event portfolio.

   Source
2. 2025Esports Nations Cup announced

   A recurring national-team esports competition was announced, initially targeted for 2026 and later rescheduled for 2027.

   Source
3. 2025Second Esports World Cup expands

   The event expanded to 25 tournaments across 24 titles and a prize pool above US$70 million.

   Source
4. 2025Trusteeship changes

   Mohammed bin Salman was named chair of the board of trustees on September 3.

   Source
5. 2024First Esports World Cup

   The inaugural Riyadh event presented 22 game titles and a reported US$62.5 million prize pool.

   Source
6. 2024Club Support Program introduced

   The Foundation began offering financial support to selected professional esports clubs.

   Source
7. 2023Organization announced

   The Esports World Cup Foundation was announced on July 30 as part of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 esports strategy.

   Source
8. 2023Foundation established

   The nonprofit was formally established in September and assumed responsibility for the Esports World Cup from the Saudi Esports Federation.

   Source
9. 2023Ralf Reichert becomes CEO

   ESL co-founder Ralf Reichert was appointed chief executive in October.

   Source

A state-backed global esports platform positioned around large-scale competition, club sustainability, international fan engagement, and the professionalization of gaming.

• Esports World CupMulti-title esports tournament2024

  The Foundation's flagship annual competition, held in Riyadh, combines championships across multiple game titles with an overarching Club Championship. Teams and players compete in title-specific tournaments while clubs accumulate results across the program. The event is designed as a large international festival combining competition, fan experiences, media, and commercial partnerships.

• Club ChampionshipCross-title esports championship2024

  The Club Championship ranks esports organizations according to their results across games in the Esports World Cup. It gives the event a unified team-level competition and rewards clubs that maintain high performance across several titles rather than relying on a single game division.

• Club Partner ProgramClub support program2024

  Originally launched as the Club Support Program, this initiative provides direct financial assistance to selected esports clubs. Selection considers competitive achievements, organizational strategy, and fan engagement. The program is intended to strengthen professional clubs and encourage sustained audience growth.

• Esports Nations CupNational-team esports competition2025

  A planned recurring international event built around national teams. Its proposed structure involves esports federations, traditional sports organizations, nongovernmental organizations, publishers, and other partners. The first edition is planned for Riyadh in 2027.

• Esports SpotlightDigital media channel

  A YouTube-based content initiative featuring esports professionals, creators, celebrities, and related gaming personalities. It extends the Foundation's activities beyond tournament administration into entertainment and audience development.

• 2026Rebrand as Esports FoundationStrategy

  The organization's activities had expanded beyond the Esports World Cup to include the Esports Nations Cup and other ecosystem initiatives.

  What changed. The Foundation changed its name to Esports Foundation.

  Aftermath. The new name presents the organization as a broader esports institution rather than solely as the operator of one tournament.

  Source
• 2025Announce the Esports Nations CupProduct launch

  The Foundation sought to broaden esports competition beyond commercial clubs and game-specific leagues.

  What changed. It announced a recurring national-team competition involving publishers and national or sports-related partner organizations.

  Aftermath. The inaugural event was moved from the initially proposed 2026 date to 2027, while the project generated a dispute with South Korea's esports governing body.

  Source
• 2025Withdraw from the Olympic Esports Games projectOther

  The Foundation had been announced as a founding partner of the planned Olympic Esports Games in Riyadh.

  What changed. After talks with the International Olympic Committee broke down, the Foundation ended its involvement.

  Aftermath. The Foundation's Olympic partnership ended while its separate Esports Nations Cup initiative continued.

  Source
• 2024Launch the Club Support ProgramProduct launch

  Professional esports clubs face financial and organizational pressures despite growing audiences.

  What changed. The Foundation introduced direct support for selected clubs based on performance, strategy, and fan engagement.

  Aftermath. The program was later expanded and renamed the Club Partner Program.

  Source
• 2023Create a dedicated global esports foundationStrategy

  Saudi Arabia sought to establish itself as a global esports hub under Vision 2030.

  What changed. A nonprofit funded by the Public Investment Fund was established and given responsibility for the Esports World Cup.

  Aftermath. The Foundation became the central organizer of Saudi Arabia's multi-title esports strategy.

  Source

• 2025Dispute over South Korean national-team selectionControversy

  The Foundation was alleged to have interfered with the selection of South Korean rosters for the planned Esports Nations Cup by favoring particular players. The dispute conflicted with the process led by the Korea e-Sports Association, resulted in KeSPA's removal as partner, and was later followed by an agreement allowing KeSPA to return.

  Source
• 2024Sportswashing criticismControversy

  Human-rights advocates, esports participants, and other critics have argued that the Foundation and the Esports World Cup serve as sportswashing projects that improve Saudi Arabia's international reputation while diverting attention from restrictions concerning LGBTQ+ rights, women's rights, and freedom of expression. Some teams and participants withdrew or declined involvement.

  Source

• 2026Organization renamed Esports Foundation

  The organization changed its name to the Esports Foundation while announcing the 2026 Club Partner Program, emphasizing its expanded role in both the Esports World Cup and Esports Nations Cup.

  Other
  Source
• 2025Esports Nations Cup announced

  The Foundation announced a recurring national-team esports competition, initially planned for 2026 and later scheduled for 2027 in Riyadh.

  Product launch
  Source
• 20252025 Esports World Cup expands in scale

  The 2025 edition expanded to 25 tournaments across 24 titles, with a total prize pool exceeding US$70 million and more than 2,000 players from over 100 countries.

  Product generation
  Source
• 2025Mohammed bin Salman named chair of trustees

  Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was named chair of the Foundation's board of trustees on September 3, 2025.

  Leadership change
  Source
• 2025Foundation withdraws from Olympic Esports Games project

  After being announced as a founding partner of the planned Olympic Esports Games, the Foundation ended its involvement following a breakdown in talks with the International Olympic Committee.

  Other
  Source
• 2024First Esports World Cup held in Riyadh

  The inaugural event featured 22 game titles and a reported US$62.5 million total prize pool.

  Product launchOther
  Source
• 2024Club Support Program launched

  The Foundation introduced a financial-support program for selected esports clubs based on performance, strategy, and audience engagement.

  Other
  Source
• 2023Esports World Cup Foundation announced as a Saudi esports initiative

  The organization was announced on July 30, 2023, as part of Saudi Arabia's effort to build a global esports hub under Vision 2030.

  Other
  Source
• 2023Foundation formally established and receives Esports World Cup responsibilities

  The nonprofit was formally established in September 2023 with funding from the Public Investment Fund, and responsibility for the Esports World Cup moved from the Saudi Esports Federation to the new organization.

  Other
  Source
• 2023Ralf Reichert appointed chief executive

  Ralf Reichert, a veteran esports executive and co-founder of ESL, was appointed CEO in October 2023.

  Leadership change
  Source

1. Esports Foundation