Mashable: Cristiano Ronaldo expresses delight on being a panel member

Saudi Arabia is making it big in sports as Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has announced the launch of the Esports World Cup.

On Monday, October 23, 2023, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced the launch of the Esports World Cup which will be held annually in the Kingdom’s capital Riyadh starting summer 2024.

Saudi Arabia is set to bring one of the largest gaming events in 2024 with the Esports World Cup which is said to be the largest of its kind. The event will consolidate the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s position as a global hub for international esports.

The upcoming Esports World Cup 2024 will include the most popular games across all genres in the world. It will also have the largest prize pool in esports history.

According to the Arab News, the launch of the big tournament aims to increase the sports sector’s contribution to Saudi’s gross domestic product by over SR50 billion by the year 2023 as well as create over 39,000 new job opportunities. The event will help to reach the goals envisioned in the Kingdom’s National Gaming and Esports Strategy.

During the event, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman also announced the establishment of the Esports World Cup Foundation, which is a nonprofit organization to increase collaboration between esports stakeholders.

HRH the Crown Prince also announces the establishment of the Esports World Cup Foundation, a non-profit organization that aims to drive a new era of collaboration between esports stakeholders and to enhance the sector’s sustainability.#esportsworldcup#SPAGOV pic.twitter.com/586qzQjcku

— SPAENG (@Spa_Eng) October 23, 2023
HRH the Crown Prince: “The Esports World Cup is the natural next step in Saudi Arabia’s journey to become the premier global hub for gaming and esports, offering an unmatched esports experience that pushes the boundaries of the industry." #esportsworldcup#SPAGOV pic.twitter.com/GLAE7vQ7Jh

— SPAENG (@Spa_Eng) October 23, 2023
HRH the Crown Prince: "The competition will enhance our progress towards realizing the Vision 2030 objectives of diversifying the economy, growing the tourism sector, creating new jobs in various industries, and providing world-class entertainment for citizens, residents, and… pic.twitter.com/FDQzpQbed1

— SPAENG (@Spa_Eng) October 23, 2023
The event also invited the Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo who met with the Crown Prince to mark the launch of the country’s first Esports World Cup.

The Al-Nassr superstar was part of a panel in the capital of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh.

The 38-year-old football superstar took to social media revealing he felt honored to meet His Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The Al Nassr star shared several images from his time at the event.

An honour to meet again with His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman and great to be part of this panel today discussing the future of esports and the launch of the first ever #esportsworldcup that will be held in Saudi Arabia next year! pic.twitter.com/1N4AVYn9Pv

— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) October 23, 2023
Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo recently gifted a watch to boxer Francis Ngannou ahead of his fight with British heavyweight Tyson Fury in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on October 28, 2023. The boxer took to his official Instagram account and thanked Ronaldo for this gesture.

Ronaldo, one of the best players in football history arrived at Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr on a free transfer in December last year after mutually terminating his contract with Manchester United.