RIYADH: Iraqi E-Sports Federation and Thriving, the Saudi talent and content-creating foundation, announced the signing of a strategic cooperation agreement on Thursday.
The partnership aims to increase the visibility of the Iraqi E-Sports Federation in the Arab electronic sports landscape by organizing competitions, developing content and promoting shared objectives and visions.
“Our goal is to transfer a better experience to Iraq, achieve future partnerships, attract sponsors and give Iraqis the opportunity to participate in tournaments and clubs,” said Hayder Jaafar, president of the Iraqi E-Sports Federation.
Moayad El-Tayeb, president of Thriving, told Arab News that signing such an agreement would help to enrich e-sports content throughout the Arab world.
“The future of video game and e-sports content in Saudi Arabia is thriving and this is why signing such an agreement will enhance the ability to achieve our common goals and implement the common vision,” he said. “We will work together to organize tournaments, manage and develop content.”
Saudi Arabia-based Thriving is a foundation that manages, develops and produces video games and electronic sports projects.
El-Tayeb said that the organization had ties with three other teams, including a Qatari e-sports team.
The CEO of Ads Soul Foundation, Abdulaziz Al-Zahrani, said that the collaboration presented many opportunities.
“Today’s agreement is an important step to strengthen the relationship, develop mechanisms for holding tournaments and competitions, and create and train players, in addition to ensuring high-quality content,” he said.
Thriving will provide marketing services as part of the relationship, in addition to monitoring social media accounts, organizing competitions, supporting the goals of the Iraqi E-Sports Federation and creating a platform for professional players.
The launch of the Gamers8, the world’s e-sports event, in Riyadh has attracted considerable interest from the Arab federations for electronic sports and received strong support from the Kingdom.
Riyadh season will begin with several significant events in professional tournaments and entertainment activities that bring together the greatest number of video games and e-sports. This cooperation will increase the opportunity to expand these activities and events.
Alliance between Thriving and Iraqi E-Sports Federation combines huge dreams and passionate visions
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Alliance between Thriving and Iraqi E-Sports Federation combines huge dreams and passionate visions
- Iraqi federation and Saudi talent and content-creating foundation announce signing of new partnership
- Strategic cooperation agreement will help raise profile of Iraqi E-sport Federation at Gamers8 in Kingdom
E1 World Championship opens 2026 season in Jeddah with expanded field, growing global profile
- Season’s opener features record 10 teams
JEDDAH: The 2026 UIM E1 World Championship presented by PIF will launch its new season in Jeddah, with the Red Sea city once again hosting the world’s first all-electric raceboat series, and champions Team Brady beginning their title defense against an expanded and competitive field.
Set against Jeddah’s Red Sea coastline, the season-opening E1 Jeddah GP 2026, which takes place over Jan. 23-24, will feature a record 10 teams racing the cutting-edge E1 RaceBirds, underlining the rapid growth of the championship and its ambitions as a global competition spanning four continents.
Team Brady are the outfit to beat, having claimed the Champions of the Water title in 2024 and 2025. However, competition is expected to be fiercer than ever, with several teams strengthening their lineups ahead of the new campaign.
Team Monaco and Sierra Racing Club join the championship for 2026, adding further depth to the grid with a mix of experienced and emerging pilots. Team Rafa, who finished just 11 points behind Team Brady last season after a title fight that went down to the final laps, are widely regarded as one of the leading contenders and will be aiming to make an early statement in Jeddah.
Team AlUla Championed by LeBron James also return to race on home waters, one year on from their E1 debut. Carrying local pride, the team will be looking to build on last season’s momentum in front of Saudi fans.
The world-class field is further strengthened by a roster of high-profile, celebrity-backed teams, including Will Smith’s Team Westbrook, DJ Steve Aoki’s Team Aoki, Team Drogba, led by football legend Didier Drogba and his partner Gabrielle Lemaire, and Team Miami, featuring Grammy Award-winning artist Marc Anthony.
Fans will be able to get close to the action across qualifying and race day, with on-water viewing available from the E1 Fan Zone. The area will give visitors the chance to see the E1 RaceBirds up close and will feature a gaming arena with simulator and virtual reality experiences, as well as a VOX cinema screening of “Zootopia 2.” Merchandise outlets and a range of food and beverage options will also be available, creating a family-friendly race-day experience.
Beyond the racing, E1’s return to Saudi Arabia reflects the Kingdom’s growing role in shaping the future of electric sport and sustainable mobility. The championship serves as a living laboratory for electric propulsion systems, accelerating innovation that can influence marine transport while also supporting broader conversations around ocean protection.
As part of its partnership with E1, Formula E’s Driving Force Presented by PIF E360 is hosting its educational program in Jeddah this week. The initiative aims to inspire students aged 8 to 18 to explore science, technology, engineering and mathematics, as well as sustainability, through the lens of electric racing.
The program reached more than 60,000 students globally in 2025 alone, with a further 50,000 targeted this year, taking its reach to over 100,000 young people worldwide.
On the sporting side, PIF’s commitment to excellence will again be recognized through the PIF Pilot of the Day award, presented after finals day to honor standout skill and performance over the race weekend.
Alejandro Agag, founder and chairman of E1, said: “Starting our 2026 season in Jeddah is a powerful statement for E1. The region represents ambition, innovation and a clear vision for the future, and the Red Sea provides the perfect environment as our largest grid yet of 10 teams begin their battle to be crowned 2026 Champions of the Water.”
The Jeddah race is set to deliver high-intensity competition, renewed rivalries and an early glimpse into the future of high-performance racing on water.
