Broadcast hub in Saudi Arabia opened by the ESL FACEIT Group

ESL FACEIT Group (EFG), the leading esports and video game entertainment company, has announced the launch of a new broadcast hub in Riyadh. This initiative aims to support EFG’s growth in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The hub will deliver Arabic broadcasts of EFG’s global esports events, starting with the localization of the Overwatch Champions Series (OWCS) DreamHack Dallas Major from May 31 to June 2, produced in Riyadh. This expansion marks EFG’s deeper engagement with one of the youngest and fastest-growing gaming communities globally, striving to make premier esports events more accessible to Middle Eastern audiences. The journey begins with the Arabic broadcast of the first OWCS international LAN event, held at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Center during the DreamHack Dallas festival. Local Saudi Arabian talent will handle the casting and production, bringing a homegrown touch to the tournament.

Highlights of this Opening

The OWCS Dallas Major, a collaboration between Blizzard Entertainment and EFG, features eight of the world’s top teams, including Saudi Arabia’s Twisted Minds, competing over three days in Overwatch 2. With a prize pool supported by crowdfunding, fans in Saudi Arabia and MENA can watch the action live in Arabic, as teams battle for the first international OWCS title and a spot in the Esports World Cup. Additionally, regional fans will enjoy custom Overwatch 2 content, thanks to a partnership with Porsche. These rewards include in-game cosmetics, such as a Legendary D.Va skin inspired by Porsche’s all-electric Macan model. The OWCS Dallas Major broadcast is just the beginning of EFG’s long-term commitment to the MENA region. As an operator of Gamers8 and the Esports World Cup and a global partner of Qiddiya Esports & Gaming district under Savvy Games Group, EFG aims to inspire the next generation of gamers in MENA. In the coming months, the local community will gain access to top-tier international competitions, including the Snapdragon Pro Series, the world’s largest multi-title mobile esports league, produced with Qualcomm Technologies. Arabic broadcasts of the Intel Extreme Masters Counter-Strike esports circuit will also be hosted from the Riyadh hub. EFG’s Arabic live-stream events will feature a range of AAA game titles, including Moonton’s Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, with finals streamed live from Jakarta, Indonesia, on ESL Arabia channels from August 2 to August 4, 2024. Additional titles and dates will be announced soon.

“Saudi Arabia is one of the fastest-growing esports markets in the world with a thriving gaming fanbase, and the national initiatives like Vision 2030 showcase the country’s desire to fuel not only local gaming growth but contribute to the industry’s international success,” said Franck Guignery, SVP, Middle East and Africa, ESL FACEIT Group. “We are thrilled to bring our premier esports programming to the region and to help its passionate players, fans, and creators build deeper connections with the global community of their favorite brands and titles, and most importantly, with each other.”

Where to Watch

Arabic versions of the live broadcast can be viewed on the ESL Arabia YouTube and Twitch feeds. All games will also be accessible to view for free on YouTube as on-demand content for those who are unable to watch live.