The world’s biggest charity esports festival Gamers Without Borders is back for 2021.
The second edition of the massively successful initiative is set to bring $10 million in the fight against COVID-19 and a summer of unmissable live action for gamers across the planet.
Gamers Without Borders will be donating that sum and more as it unites the gaming world in its second extravaganza of esports entertainment, all aimed at helping those in the most desperate need during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Held under the theme ‘No One Left Behind’, the online festival’s $10 million charity prize-fund will once again be fought over in Gamers Without Borders’s six-week elite series, where the best gamers on the planet will go head-to-head on titles including Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege, Fortnite, Rocket League, PUBG MOBILE and CS:GO.
All shares of the charity cash that participants win will go directly towards vaccine distribution in the world’s poorest countries, with all the action playing out live from the festival’s unique virtual studio, to be broadcast in seven different languages to a truly global audience.
Gamers Without Borders’ community tournaments – a free-for-all battleground for gamers of all abilities – also return, with daily marathon and play-and-go tournaments across the above games, plus the likes of Overwatch, Tekken 7, NBA2K and Call of Duty. The first contest gets underway on June 7.
His Royal Highness Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan is chairman of the Saudi Esports Federation, who are behind the gaming festival – which is organized in partnership with European esports giants ESL.
“We truly believe in the power of gaming and esports. We know what gamers can do when they unite behind a cause – and there is no bigger global cause than fighting this virus. It is important to understand that even with vaccines rolling out in developed nations, millions of others face the possibility of not being vaccinated for months or maybe years,” said HRH Prince Faisal.
“Our mission is ‘No One Left Behind’. We want to connect, inspire and entertain the international gaming community to ensure we leave no one behind in supporting the world’s ongoing recovery from COVID-19. We will be bringing the biggest names, elite teams, epic titles, and brand-new gaming experiences to excite fans across the globe,” he continued.
“Gamers Without Borders is a virtual festival for all – an open invitation to show that no matter your background or nationality, gaming and esports truly transcends borders as a positive force for good.”
In its debut last year, Gamers Without Borders smashed all expectations, attracting 460,000 gamers from 141 countries to 200,000+ community matches, and a streaming audience of more than 14 million to its elite series action.
Its $10 million prize-fund was shared between charities including UNICEF, Gavi, Direct Relief and the International Medical Corps, and went directly to supporting efforts on the frontline of COVID-19, such as providing life-saving health supplies, water and hygiene facilities, and keeping young people connected to education and protection amidst the pandemic.
UNICEF return as one of Gamers Without Borders partner charities for this summer’s festival.
“UNICEF is leading the largest vaccine procurement and supply operation ever undertaken in delivering two billion COVID-19 vaccines by the end of the year,” said Carla Haddad Mardini, Director of UNICEF’s Division for Private Fundraising and Partnerships.
“We are grateful to the winners of the first Gamers Without Borders edition last year who donated their prize money to help us continue to accelerate and respond to COVID-19 immediate needs. We would be delighted if this year’s winners would also donate to UNICEF to help us get COVID-19 vaccines to those that need them most.”
As well as near-constant gaming action across its nine weeks, Gamers Without Borders is this year elevating its accompanying entertainment schedule, with everything from magazine-style review and analysis streams, to talk shows, live comedy and even live concerts.
After hosting the likes of Snoop Dogg, Liam Payne, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dele Alli and Paulo Dybala in 2020, gamers can expect this summer’s event to continue with similar A-list appearances, with virtual fan meet-and-greets lined-up too.
The festival’s Learning Hub will also return; a series of free-to-all training programs aimed at those wanting to develop a career in gaming, organised in partnership with Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (MCIT), beginning June 14th.
Team-wise, expect the biggest franchises in esports, all of whom fans will be able to watch live and, in the process, donate money to the cause.
Gamers Without Borders gets underway with its opening community tournaments on June 7th, registration for which will be available soon at www.gamerswithoutborders.com
All the festival’s live elite-level action will be available to stream live via the Gamers Without Borders’ website, YouTube, Twitch and Facebook channels.
