British Esports Signs MOU with Saudi Esports Federation

Collaboration to set new standards of excellence, education and innovation throughout the world of esports, agreed during the inaugural UK Esports Trade Mission Riyadh by the UK Government’s Department for Business and Trade.

Sunderland, Monday 9th October 2023 – British Esports, the national body for esports in the United Kingdom, today announces a historic partnership with the Saudi Esports Federation, the regulating body in charge of nurturing elite gaming athletes and developing the gaming community and industry in Saudi Arabia, marking a significant step towards advancing the global esports industry.

This landmark collaboration is being signed at the same time as the UK Department for Business and Trade takes its first Esports Trade Mission to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with the aim of fostering connections and exploring opportunities in the Saudi Arabian esports landscape.

Both esports federations have formally committed to working together to elevate esports to new heights under the agreement. The partnership commenced alongside an exclusive reception in Riyadh, hosted by the UK Ambassador Neil Crompton with HRH Prince Faisal Bin Bandar bin Sultan, Chairman of the Saudi Esports Federation and Chester King, CEO, British Esports attending.

The partnership’s key initiatives will encompass a wide range of projects, events and activations designed to cultivate esports talent, through immersive cultural exchange programmes, internships, mentorship, bootcamps, esports training programmes, educational initiatives and collaborative research projects.

Part of the agreement, will see British Esports and Saudi Esports host home and away matches with some of the top UK and Saudi esports athletes, competing at the National Esports Performance Campus in Sunderland and at Gamers8 later next year in 2024. 

This partnership underscores the commitment of both federations to fostering international cooperation and growth within the esports industry and heralds an exciting era of opportunity, investment and development.

HRH Prince Faisal Bin Bandar bin Sultan, Chairman of the Saudi Esports Federation, said: “Saudi Esports Federation is constantly evolving and creating new pathways for players to gain new experience, and our cooperation with the British Esports Federation will play a key role in fostering talents and unite the esports community. By joining forces, I’m sure that we can create a platform that empowers players, cultivates innovation, and paves the way for a thriving esports industry in both nations and beyond.”

As the esports landscape continues to evolve, British Esports and the Saudi Esports Federation are primed to make a significant impact on its trajectory, further solidifying the UK’s position as one of the world’s leading esports nations.

“We are excited about this collaboration, which is poised to usher in a new era for esports in the UK,” commented Chester King, CEO British Esports. “As two of the world’s leading esports federations, our joint efforts will undoubtedly shape the future of the industry, providing incredible opportunities for esports athletes, professionals and enthusiasts alike.”

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Contact

For any media inquiries and further information, please contact:

Adam McGowan | British Esports | press@britishesports.org

Ahmad Alkhalaf | Saudi Esports | Media@saudiesports.sa

About British Esports 

Established in 2016, British Esports is the national body for esports in the UK.  As one of the world’s leading esports authorities, we are the recognised member of the Global Esports Federation for Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and founding member of the International Olympic Committee Esports and Gaming Liaison Group.  From nationwide amateur grassroots competition to cutting edge esports curriculum and national representation on the global stage, we’re dedicated to increasing levels of esports awareness, improving esports standards, and inspiring future esports talent. 

About Saudi Esports Federation

The Saudi Esports Federation is the regulating body in charge of nurturing elite gaming athletes and developing the gaming community and industry in Saudi Arabia. The federation’s activities are categorized into two complementary streams. The first stream works to develop all levels of competitive gamers, starting with the grassroots community level and moving up to professional esports athletes who can achieve global excellence. The second stream works to develop the entire gaming/esports value chain by catalyzing the industry and enabling talent. Since its establishment in late 2017, the federation has organized multiple world-class national and international tournaments and events, attracted investment from local private sector actors, and worked with international developers on opportunities in the Saudi market.