Saudi Arabia emerges as leading force in global esports, study reveals

57% of Saudi gamers recognise esports as a legitimate sport, while 66% actively follow tournament recaps and gameplay breakdowns, highlighting their deep involvement beyond live matches.

Saudi Arabia is establishing itself as a global powerhouse in gaming and esports, with significant growth in competitive gaming, live events and digital engagement. A recent study by Power League Gaming (PLG), MENA’s gaming and esports agency, in collaboration with market research firm Ipsos, highlights key trends shaping the Kingdom’s dynamic esports ecosystem.

Conducted in December 2024, the research offers in-depth insights into esports awareness, female participation, viewership habits and platform preferences across Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The findings underscore Saudi Arabia’s role as a key player in the global esports landscape, driven by a young, digitally engaged and mobile-first audience.

The Kingdom’s gaming audience is notably youthful, with 59% of gamers aged between 15-24, compared to just 29% in the UAE. This reflects Saudi Arabia’s emergence as a digital entertainment hub, bolstered by Vision 2030 initiatives that integrate gaming and esports into broader cultural and economic transformations.

Esports awareness is high in the Kingdom, with 64% of Saudi gamers familiar with the industry. The study also highlights a significant rise in female participation, with women making up 27% of gamers in Saudi Arabia, compared to 20% in the UAE. Female awareness of esports in the Kingdom stands at 58%, nearly matching the UAE’s 59%, signalling a cultural shift toward inclusivity and a growing market for brands and esports organisations.

Esports is increasingly viewed as a legitimate sport, with 57% of Saudi gamers considering it on par with traditional sports, aligning closely with the UAE’s 59%. The social aspect of gaming is also thriving, with 68% of Saudi gamers having attended live esports tournaments and 60% expressing interest in competing. Additionally, community-driven gaming events are surging in popularity, with 61% of Saudi gamers showing interest, slightly ahead of the UAE’s 59%.

Saudi gamers engage with a diverse range of sports simulations, battle royale titles and tactical shooters. EAFC 24 and Fortnite are the most-watched esports competitions, each at 35%, followed by PUBG at 34%. Dota, a multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game, holds a presence at 20%. Meanwhile, Call of Duty and Counter-Strike—both known for their high-intensity, team-based gameplay—each attracts 17% of viewers. This lineup reflects Saudi Arabia’s passion for competitive gaming, spanning strategic shooters, battle royale clashes and sports-driven esports experiences, with strong engagement across multiple genres.

Beyond live matches, 66% of Saudi gamers follow tournament recaps, while 63% actively seek gameplay strategies and tactical breakdowns. Interest in gamer interviews (64%) and behind-the-scenes tournament content (49%) highlights that Saudi gamers are not just spectators—they are deeply engaged in the esports ecosystem, eager to learn and improve their own gameplay.

YouTube Live remains the most widely used platform for esports consumption, with 50% of Saudi gamers tuning in. However, social media is becoming increasingly influential in the esports ecosystem. Instagram has emerged as a key platform, with 33% of Saudi gamers consuming esports content there, followed by X (formerly Twitter) at 31%. Facebook (29%) and TikTok (27%) are also rapidly growing as preferred channels for gaming-related engagement. With social media playing a central role in esports consumption, brands looking to connect with Saudi gamers must prioritise targeted content strategies that resonate with this highly engaged audience. Tailored campaigns, influencer collaborations and platform-specific storytelling will be essential for capturing attention and driving authentic engagement in this competitive space.

Traditional media continues to play a role in esports growth, with TV viewership reaching 24% in Saudi Arabia, slightly lower than the UAE’s 27%. This expansion into conventional broadcast media signals a broader mainstream acceptance of esports.

The dominance of mobile gaming in Saudi Arabia is undeniable, with 70% of Saudi gamers using smartphones to watch esports content slightly ahead of the UAE’s 68%. PC usage for esports content remains significantly lower in Saudi Arabia (35%), compared to the UAE’s 54%, reinforcing the Kingdom’s mobile-first gaming culture and its emphasis on accessibility and convenience.

Commenting on the significance of these findings, Mathew Pickering, CEO of Power League Gaming, said: “Saudi Arabia’s esports evolution is progressing at an extraordinary pace. The rise in female participation, the growing preference for live esports experiences, and the Kingdom’s mobile-first gaming habits highlight the immense opportunities within this rapidly expanding sector. For brands, developers, and investors eyeing the Saudi market, success hinges on understanding and authentically engaging with this deeply connected gaming community. At Power League Gaming, we’re committed to transforming insights into action, ensuring brands and publishers not only understand the gaming landscape but actively engage with it. From crafting immersive esports experiences to building strategic partnerships, we help our clients navigate this evolving space with solutions that drive real engagement and long-term impact, positioning them at the forefront of this growing field.”

As Saudi Arabia continues to define the future of esports in MENA, Power League Gaming remains at the forefront, offering in-depth industry insights and strategic initiatives that help brands establish meaningful connections with the gaming community.

Power League Gaming specialises in gaming and esports strategy, large-scale online and offline activations, branded and original content creation, influencer marketing and educational gaming initiatives.

Sources: www.broadcastprome.com