RIYADH: Leading esports and video game entertainment company, ESL FACEIT Group, has announced the opening of a broadcast hub in Riyadh.

The move marks the growth of EFG’s regional footprint in one of the youngest and fastest-growing gaming communities in the world, making global premier esports events more accessible to Middle Eastern audiences.

The new hub, which will support the company’s ongoing growth in Saudi Arabia and the Middle East and North Africa region, will provide Arabic broadcasts of EFG’s global esports events.

First up is the Overwatch Champions Series Dallas Major, which is taking place at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Center until June 2 as part of international gaming festival DreamHack Dallas. The Arabic version of the tournament will be supported by homegrown casting and production staff.

The Major, a collaboration between Blizzard Entertainment and EFG, welcomes eight of the world’s top teams, including Saudi Arabia’s own Twisted Minds, for three days of premier Overwatch 2 competition.

Featuring a prize pool supported by crowdfunding, fans in Saudi Arabia and MENA can watch the action unfold as players aim to be the first to claim an international OWCS title and qualify to compete at the Esports World Cup.

The broadcast is the first initiative in a long-term commitment from EFG. To inspire next-generation gamers in MENA, the company will offer access to top-tier international competitions, including championships in its Snapdragon Pro Series. Fans will also have access to the Intel Extreme Masters Counter-Strike esports circuit.

EFG’s Arabic live-stream events will feature AAA game titles such as Moonton’s Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, with finals streamed live from Jakarta, Indonesia in August. Details of new titles and dates will be announced in the near future.

“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, ESL’s senior vice president and MENA managing director.

“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.”

The live broadcast can be watched on  ESL Arabia Twitch, and YouTube. For those unable to tune in at the time, they can also be watched on demand for free on the YouTube channel.