2023 Esports Mission to Saudi Arabia

Applications open

The Department for Business and Trade is pleased to invite UK headquartered companies to apply to attend this in person trade mission.

Overview

There are significant commercial opportunities for UK businesses in Saudi Arabia around esports, following the launch of their National Gaming and Esports Strategy in September 2022. Their aim is to become a global hub for gaming and esports, with the strategy expected to create 39,000 job opportunities and contribute SAR 50 billion to Saudi Arabia's GDP by 2030.

In 2022 alone Saudi Arabia experienced 22% YoY growth in the gaming sector and 36% in esports. During the LEAP technology fair in February 2023, the Saudis announced $9.3bn of inward investments on the first day, including a commitment to open the first regional Metaverse academy in Riyadh.

Saudi Arabia is also hosting an array of esports events in 2023 including:

• Gamers8 Esports and Gaming Festival

• Next World Forum

• Global Esports Games

Our Trade Mission

We will take representatives from 10 UK headquartered companies from the esports sector that operate in event management, consultancy and education to Riyadh. Over 3 days we will hear from a range of stakeholders about the varying opportunities that Saudi Arabia has to offer. 

The programme will include interactions with a wide range of esports stakeholders and representatives of various esports bodies, government ministries and new city development organisations.

The mission will include visits to some of the major esports stakeholder offices and sports infrastructure sites, to show the existing interest in the market for high quality esports events.

There is also dedicated space in the programme for UK companies to pre-arrange meetings with Saudi Arabian companies contacted before the mission, or companies met during the business to business sessions and networking events.

The mission programme will take place in Riyadh:

Riyadh 25-27 September

• Meetings and roundtable discussions with:

  • Government ministries

  • Saudi esports entities

• Networking reception

• Site visits to esports infrastructure developments

We look forward to working with you on an informative and engaging mission that will allow you to connect directly with potential clients and partners.

Please note that travel and accommodation costs will be at the companies’ expense.

The Department for Business and Trade will provide for costs associated with stakeholder meetings and attendance at sporting venues.

Only 1 representative from each individual company will be able to attend, with a maximum of 10 companies included in the trade mission. The selection of those 10 companies will be to the sole discretion of the Department for Business and Trade.

Programme elements listed may change dependent on outside factors.

By applying to take part in the Trade Mission you agree to inform the Department for Business and Trade of any future market export success in Saudi Arabia.

Dates:  Monday 25 September 2023 to Wednesday 27 September 2023

Where: Riyadh - Saudi Arabia

Email:  sports@trade.gov.uk

Applications close: 11 August 2023

Applications are only open to UK headquartered companies.

Saudi Arabia

Population: 35.3 million

Size: About 9 times the size of the UK

Capital: Riyadh

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the largest country in the Arabian Peninsula, a country the size of Western Europe. It has a population of more than 35 million with around two-thirds aged under 35.  Saudi Arabia is among the 20 largest economies in the world and was the UK's 25th largest trading partner last year, accounting for 0.9% of all UK trade.