Saudi Arabia to host 2024 IESF World Championship

Following the conclusion of the 2023 IESF World Championship in Iași, Romania the organizers announced that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia would be the next nation to host the annual esports event. The United States men's CS:GO team failed to qualify out of groups while the women's team was able to achieve third place.

Esports has started flocking to Saudi Arabia since the outsized influx of investment being made by the ruling government in what critics have described as "sportswashing." It was only in early 2022 that the government-backed Savvy Gaming Group acquired ESL and FACEIT in a $1.5 billion move. Since then, events like Gamers8, held in Riyadh, attracted several top organizations thanks to their outlandish prizepools that featured in the millions.

In a statement on the IESF website, IESF President Vlad Marinescu said:

As we wrap up a truly historic edition of the World Esports Championship, it is an honor to announce Saudi Arabia as the next host country that will welcome the World Esports Family. We look forward to working with Saudi Arabia, the local organizing committee, the Saudi Esports Federation, and our incredible partners to keep the momentum going and continue to grow and promote esports on the global stage.

HRH Prince Faisal Bin Bandar Bin Sultan Al Saud, President of the Saudi Esports Federation, also said:

We are thrilled to host the IESF’s 16th World Esports Championship in Saudi Arabia in 2024 to demonstrate our strong support for IESF. A warm welcome is extended to esports enthusiasts from around the globe. Our unwavering commitment lies in delivering a world-class event that not only reflects our passion for esports but also underscores our dedication to its expansion. Together, we look forward to creating an unforgettable championship experience in the heart of Riyadh.

Dates and details for the upcoming IESF World Championships has not yet been revealed.