eSports in MENA - statistics & facts
eSports, or electronic sports, is a rapidly growing international trend. Organized competitive video gaming has become increasingly lucrative, with prize money totaling up to 30 million U.S. dollars each year. Combined, Asia and the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA) account for more than 56 percent of the global eSports billion dollar market. According to the MENA Gaming & eSports Summit 2023, there are over 377 million gamers across the Middle East alone.
The United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia have the highest forecasted eSports revenue in the MENA region, given their high-income levels, public investment projects, and efforts to diversify their oil-dependent economies. Saudi Arabia’s high interest and participation rates in gaming and eSports has supported the industry’s rapid growth. Multiple million-dollar tournaments have recently been organized in Saudi Arabia, such as the Dota 2 Riyadh Masters 2022 and the Gamers8 eSports Festival with a 15 million U.S. dollar prize pool. These events are sponsored by some of the biggest brands globally, such as LG, Mastercard, Spotify, and others.
Current eSports market
Due to high mobile internet user penetration rates in the Middle East and North Africa, a massive young population, and an intense interest in digital technologies, the region’s gaming industry is expanding at an unprecedented rate. Egypt has the region's largest gaming population, Saudi Arabia has the most gaming revenue, while the United Arab Emirates has the highest revenue per user. Egypt has the region's largest gaming population, Saudi Arabia has the most gaming revenue, while the United Arab Emirates has the highest revenue per user.The United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia have the highest forecasted eSports revenue in the MENA region, given their high-income levels, public investment projects, and efforts to diversify their oil-dependent economies. Saudi Arabia’s high interest and participation rates in gaming and eSports has supported the industry’s rapid growth. Multiple million-dollar tournaments have recently been organized in Saudi Arabia, such as the Dota 2 Riyadh Masters 2022 and the Gamers8 eSports Festival with a 15 million U.S. dollar prize pool. These events are sponsored by some of the biggest brands globally, such as LG, Mastercard, Spotify, and others.
