Esports Foundation

Origins and Leadership

The Esports Foundation was first announced in July 2023 by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia as part of the Saudi Vision 2030 initiative to make the kingdom a global hub for esports. It was formally established two months later in September 2023 as a nonprofit funded by the country's Public Investment Fund. Operations for the Esports World Cup were transferred from the Saudi Esports Federation to the new Foundation.

In October 2023, the Foundation appointed Ralf Reichert, a veteran in the industry and co-founder of the prominent esports company ESL, as its chief executive officer. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was named chair of the board of trustees in September 2025. The organization originally operated under the name Esports World Cup Foundation before renaming itself to the Esports Foundation in March 2026, a change that coincided with the announcement of that year's Club Partner Program members.

The Esports World Cup

The Esports World Cup is the Foundation's premier annual event. It is a multi-title competition held over seven weeks, typically from July to August, and is recognized as the world's largest professional esports event by total prize money. The tournament crowns the best overall esports club through a Club Championship system that rewards performance across all contested games.

The inaugural 2024 edition in Riyadh featured a 62.5 million US dollar prize pool across 22 different game titles. The event expanded in 2025 to 25 tournaments across 24 titles with a prize pool exceeding 70 million dollars, including 27 million dedicated to the Club Championship. That year, Team Falcons won the Club Championship and a 7 million dollar prize. In 2026, the event was held internationally for the first time in Paris. It featured a record 75 million dollar prize pool, 25 tournaments in 24 games, and more than 2,000 players from over 100 countries representing 200 clubs. The club AG.AL was crowned champion after a dramatic final weekend where a victory in Trackmania by player Gwendal Duparc secured the title.

The Foundation oversees the competition and its trophy system, with the operational administration handled by ESL. Events are held at venues in Riyadh's Boulevard City, including the SEF Arena and stc Play Gaming Hall. The 2027 and 2028 editions will see the return of Counter-Strike 2 to the tournament lineup.

The Esports Nations Cup

In August 2025, the Foundation announced a second major global event, the Esports Nations Cup. This is a recurring competition where countries field national teams to compete across multiple video game titles. It was originally scheduled to debut in Riyadh in November 2026 but was later postponed to November 2027. The plan is for the host city to rotate every other year.

The Foundation partners with major game publishers like Electronic Arts, Krafton, Tencent, and Ubisoft for this event. National teams are represented by a mix of partner organizations and individuals, including national esports bodies, traditional sports federations, and non-governmental organizations. The inaugural tournament is planned to feature 16 titles with a 20 million dollar prize pool, running from November 2 to 29.

The launch of the Nations Cup created organizational friction and impacted other projects. Its formation was cited as a likely reason for the breakdown of talks between the Foundation and the International Olympic Committee in October 2025, leading the Foundation to pull out of its role as Founding Partner for the planned Olympic Esports Games. Furthermore, the Foundation was alleged to have interfered with South Korea's national team selection process, pushing for specific players in select titles against the wishes of the Korea e-Sports Association. This led to KeSPA's temporary removal as a National Team Partner before an agreement was reached for its return.

The Club Partner Program

The Club Partner Program is a central initiative designed to ensure a sustainable future for esports organizations. Launched originally as the Club Support Program, it provides direct financial assistance to clubs based on a evaluation of their competitive achievements, long-term strategies, and fan engagement metrics.

In 2024, 30 clubs were selected for the program. This expanded to 40 clubs in 2025, with 20 million dollars distributed directly to the participating organizations. The Foundation states the program empowers clubs to expand their investment across more games and provide impactful career opportunities for athletes. To remain eligible for rewards, participating clubs must work to enhance their viewership and overall fan engagement. The program is a key part of the Foundation's goal to support the financial stability of the esports industry.

Additional Projects and Reach

Beyond its tournaments and club program, the Esports Foundation engages in other activities to promote the industry. It launched a YouTube channel called Esports Spotlight, which features content with esports professionals, creators, and celebrities. The Foundation also serves as the host of the New Global Sport Conference.

The scale of its flagship Esports World Cup is reflected in viewership statistics. The 2026 edition in Paris achieved record numbers, including 850 million viewers, which was a 13 percent increase from the previous year. Total hours watched reached 440 million, a 26 percent rise, and 175,000 tickets were sold for the live competitions, a 94 percent increase. The Foundation employs between 100 to 200 people at its Riyadh headquarters.

Mission and Strategic Goals

The stated mission of the Esports Foundation is to develop esports as a global sport, empower players, and foster sustainable growth in the industry. It aims to advocate for all parts of the ecosystem, including players, fans, and businesses. As a nonprofit, any proceeds it earns are reinvested back into the sector to ensure its financial health.

The organization's broader goal is to shape a future where esports is celebrated alongside traditional sports like football and cricket. Its initiatives under Saudi Vision 2030 are intended to connect communities, cultures, and audiences worldwide through competitive gaming. In a statement following the 2026 event, Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan al Saud, Chairman of the Foundation's Executive Committee, said bringing the EWC to a global audience beyond Saudi Arabia marked an important milestone in its journey.

Controversy and Criticism

The Foundation and its events have faced significant criticism from human rights groups and industry observers. A primary allegation is that they serve as a form of sportswashing for the Saudi government. Critics argue the high-profile, high-investment events are used to divert international attention from the country's human rights record, including issues related to LGBTQ+ rights, women's rights, and freedom of expression.

This criticism has led to direct competitive consequences. In 2024, the team Ex Oblivione pulled out of the Esports World Cup. Further withdrawals followed in 2025 from players and organizations like ChrisCCH and the game GeoGuessr. The Foundation's alleged interference in South Korea's national team selection process for the Nations Cup also sparked debate about its influence over competitive structures and the autonomy of national esports associations.