RIYADH: Ticket holders for the Esports World Cup, which opens next week at Boulevard Riyadh City, will be able to apply for electronic visas to enter the country, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
The Esports World Cup Foundation said it had been working with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Tourism to help streamline access to the event, which is being held in the Kingdom for the first time.
The eight-week competition will see more than 1,500 players from 500 clubs around the world competing in 22 tournaments for a total prize pot of more than $60 million — the highest ever in the history of esports.
Hosting the event aligns with the Kingdom’s National Gaming and Esports Strategy, launched by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The EWC aims to bolster the nation’s global standing as a premier gaming and esports destination.
As well as watching the action, visitors to the tournament will be able to take part in a range of activities that combine sports, entertainment, education, culture and creativity.
World Cup ticket holders can apply for a 90-day, single entry visa at ksavisa.sa/visa/tourism/esport/apply.
More information about the competition is available from the EWC’s website at esportsworldcup.com.
Esports World Cup ticket holders offered electronic visas
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Esports World Cup ticket holders offered electronic visas
- Organizers work with Kingdom’s authorities to ease access for foreign visitors
- Riyadh to host $60m, eight-week event for first time
Twisted Minds secure dominant championship win at ESL Saudi Challenge 2026 Finals
- The tournament showcased talent from across the Kingdom’s gaming ecosystem and aims to give a platform to the next generation of esports stars
RIYADH: Twisted Minds have emerged as the winners of the ESL Saudi Challenge 2026 finals, reinforcing their status as a leading force in the Kingdom’s esports scene.
Entering the tournament — organized by ESL FACEIT Group — as defending champions, Twisted Minds delivered a dominant performance in the Overwatch 2 final, securing a commanding 4–0 victory over Kurohana.
The live LAN final, held at EFG Studios in Riyadh, served as the grand conclusion to a tournament designed to showcase the competitive depth and talent within Saudi Arabia’s national esports scene.
The competition featured a total prize pool of $20,000, providing significant rewards and incentives for the Kingdom’s rising stars as they transition from local play to high-level competitive environments. The finals followed an intensive online phase, bringing the top-performing Saudi teams together for a showcase of skill and national talent.
“The ESL Saudi Challenge represents a vital milestone in ESL FACEIT Group’s commitment to the local gaming community in Saudi Arabia,” said Franck Guignery, senior vice president and managing director, Middle East and Africa at ESL FACEIT Group.
“The competition enables talent to progress from national stages to global platforms while contributing to a sustainable esports ecosystem. This directly aligns with the goals of the National Gaming and Esports Strategy, to establish Saudi Arabia as a premier global hub for gaming and esports and talent development.”
Positioned as a Saudi-focused competitive platform, the ESL Saudi Challenge forms part of EFG’s long-term commitment to supporting local esports growth by enabling talent progression, reinforcing professional standards, and fostering community-driven competition. Through these efforts, EFG aims to ensure the long-term international competitiveness of Saudi esports talent on the local, regional and international stages.
