Saudi Arabia’s esports scene has entered a new era through the ESL Saudi Challenge, the first tournament crafted exclusively for the country’s gaming community. Organised by EFG (ESL FACEIT Group), the event highlighted Saudi Arabia’s rising influence in the global gaming landscape and set the stage for a new generation of esports talent.
Building a Platform for Champions
Kicking off with Overwatch 2 as the featured game, the ESL Saudi Challenge was designed to unearth and showcase Saudi Arabia’s best gaming talent. Players from across the region competed in three open qualifiers on the FACEIT platform, with the top teams advancing to face two invited squads in a dramatic double-elimination finale.
On December 7, VOV Gaming in Riyadh hosted the much-anticipated finals, where Twisted Minds players battled it out with their Dragons counterparts in the Grand Final for a $20,000 prize pool – and the opportunity to compete internationally. Because beyond the prize money, the tournament, which was broadcast live, offered Saudi gamers a rare chance to prove their might on the world stage.
Twis Quartz, the Twisted Minds star who played a key part in their unbeaten 4-0 sweep in a best-of-seven (BO7) final, described winning the first-ever ESL Saudi Challenge as “an amazing feeling”.
Twis Quartz added: “A big thank you to the organizers for their outstanding efforts and to the fans who came out to support us and the other teams. The future is bright for all of us.”
A Gamer’s Dream…
Highlighting the significance of this opportunity, Craig Levine, co-CEO of ESL FACEIT Group, said: “Our ESL Saudi Challenge is one of the many platforms where we can empower homegrown talent and bring Saudi Arabian players to the global stage. Thanks to our trusted relationships with publishers and the diversity of our products, from the partnership with Qiddiya City’s Gaming & Esports District to the operation of the Esports World Cup, and the most premier esports competitive circuit with the Intel Extreme Masters, EFG is the fabric that connects Saudi Arabia’s esports and gaming community to worlds beyond gameplay—across DreamHack, FACEIT and global tournaments.”
The ESL Saudi Challenge has provided a platform for international opportunity. And for players like Ahmed ‘amdp’ Balateef, the event was not just a competition, but personal. Reflecting on his journey, the Saudi gamer said: “When I was 12, I watched the Saudi E-League, and it really inspired me. I thought it would be incredible to become a professional player. It became a personal challenge to prove to myself that I could achieve that goal, and I’ve been working towards it ever since.”
A Moment for Saudi Gaming
Beyond that, the ESL Saudi Challenge also represents a turning point for Saudi Arabia’s gaming community. “It’s amazing to see Saudi Arabia hosting events like this,” Ahmed adds. “It’s a huge opportunity for local players who want to pursue esports professionally, and it gives a lot of hope for the future of Overwatch and esports in the region.”
For EFG, the tournament was not just about establishing a presence in the Middle East but building a legacy. As the world’s largest esports company, ESL’s arrival in Saudi Arabia helps signal that the nation is poised to become a significant player in global gaming – with the ESL Saudi Challenge a glimpse into Saudi Arabia’s potential as a global esports contender.
For the Saudi gamers, the world is watching, and the journey is just beginning.
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