Saudi Arabia to Host Next World Forum with Participation of Esports Leaders, Experts

Saudi Esports Federation (SEF) Chairman Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan. (SEF)
Saudi Esports Federation (SEF) Chairman Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan. (SEF)
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Saudi Arabia to Host Next World Forum with Participation of Esports Leaders, Experts

Saudi Esports Federation (SEF) Chairman Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan. (SEF)
Saudi Esports Federation (SEF) Chairman Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan. (SEF)

The Next World Forum, an esports and gaming forum that will bring together sector leaders and experts from around the world, will be held in Riyadh from September 7 to 8 September, reported the Saudi Press Agency.

The global gaming and esports community will gather to discuss the development of this vibrant and flourishing sector.

More than 1,200 delegates from across the globe will gather in Riyadh to discuss the most pertinent issues in esports and gaming at the in-person Forum.

With a highly impressive list of speakers, invitees include ministers of sport from various leading nations, investors, gamers, developers, tech providers, start-ups, public sector representatives, brands and advertisers, publishers, broadcasters, and federations and leagues.

The Next World Forum, which will be organized by the Saudi Esports Federation (SEF), additionally brings the curtain down on the phenomenally successful season of Gamers8, the biggest esports and gaming event worldwide, which is currently being held at Boulevard Riyadh City.

SEF Chairman Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan said: "The Next World Forum is an opportunity to shape the future agenda of esports and gaming, including the complete capture of full sector growth through investment and collaboration."

"It is imperative that we propel a gaming and esports sector that offers rich opportunities for industry and governments while meeting and exceeding new expectations from gamers around business models," he added.

"In pursuing that quest, Saudi Arabia, which has an aim to become not just one of the global leaders in esports and gaming, but the global leader, is a fitting host for the Next World Forum," he stated.

High-level speakers at the Next World Forum include Prince Faisal; Chester King, CEO, British Esports & Vice-President, Global Esports Federation; Mario Pérez Guerreira CEO, MENA & Partner, GGTech; Sayo Olowabi, Security General, Africa Esports Development Federation (AEDF); and Grant Johnson, Chairman and CEO, Esports Entertainment Group.



Bundesliga Club Heidenheim Accuses Berlin Police of 'Extreme Violence' Against its Fans

10 May 2025, Berlin: Heidenheim's Jan Schoeppner (L) celebrates scoring his side's second goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between 1.FC Union Berlin and 1. FC Heidenheim at An der Alten Foersterei. Photo: Andreas Gora/dpa
10 May 2025, Berlin: Heidenheim's Jan Schoeppner (L) celebrates scoring his side's second goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between 1.FC Union Berlin and 1. FC Heidenheim at An der Alten Foersterei. Photo: Andreas Gora/dpa
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Bundesliga Club Heidenheim Accuses Berlin Police of 'Extreme Violence' Against its Fans

10 May 2025, Berlin: Heidenheim's Jan Schoeppner (L) celebrates scoring his side's second goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between 1.FC Union Berlin and 1. FC Heidenheim at An der Alten Foersterei. Photo: Andreas Gora/dpa
10 May 2025, Berlin: Heidenheim's Jan Schoeppner (L) celebrates scoring his side's second goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between 1.FC Union Berlin and 1. FC Heidenheim at An der Alten Foersterei. Photo: Andreas Gora/dpa

Bundesliga club Heidenheim has accused Berlin police of extreme violence leaving some of its fans needing medical treatment following Saturday’s game at Union Berlin.
Five Heidenheim supporters were arrested and three of them charged, two for alleged vandalism and another for alleged insulting behavior, the police told news agency dpa on Sunday.
The club said the police detained several of its supporters before the match for the “unauthorized posting of stickers during the fan march, which had previously passed without incident.”
“The police also acted with extreme violence without any apparent reason or clear communication after the game, directly before we left the guests’ parking lot,” Heidenheim board member Petra Saretz said in a club statement, according to The Associated Press.
The incidents before the match led Heidenheim’s supporters to refrain from active support during the match, which the team won 3-0 to be sure of at least a relegation playoff.
“We feel obligated to call out the disproportionate violence used by Berlin police against Heidenheim fans yesterday and hope therefore that the authorities will provide clarification for this incomprehensible action,” said Heidenheim chairman Holger Sanwald, who thanked Union staff and others for their support during the incidents.