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1,200 Figures Shape the Future of Esports in Saudi Arabia

Gaming drew many attendees over two months (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Gaming drew many attendees over two months (Asharq Al-Awsat)
    Riyadh - Loula Al-Anqari
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1,200 Figures Shape the Future of Esports in Saudi Arabia

Gaming drew many attendees over two months (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Gaming drew many attendees over two months (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The widely anticipated Next World Forum, which will be attended by gamers and esports experts from around the world, kicks off in Riyadh on the seventh of September and runs for two days.

Next World Forum begins with a panel discussion entitled Saudi Spotlight: What Now, What Next, in which the Kingdom’s extensive gaming and esports aspirations, as well as plans for nurturing local talents and developing the sector nationally, will be highlighted.

It will be attended by several prominent figures, including Sports Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, Saudi Esports Federation Chairman Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan, Communications and Information Technology Commission Governor Dr. Mohammed bin Saud Al-Tamimi, NEOM project CEO Nadhmi Al-Nasr, Qiddiya Investments Managing Director Abdullah Al-Dawood, Savvy Gaming Group CEO Brian Ward.

Over the two days, the Forum will host discussions and lectures moderated by gaming and esports experts from around the world. The topics of discussion include virtual and enhanced reality, the metaverse, health and safety in the digital world, and the roles governments can play in strengthening esports.

For his part, Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan said: “The Next World Forum is a platform for shaping the future of esports and gaming, both in Saudi Arabia and at a global level. Having such a unique event in Riyadh is a significant milestone in the Kingdom’s gaming and esports journey, and the ideas and inspiration that emanate from gathering people in such a setting should not be underestimated.”

The first day includes, among others, a panel entitled Gaming and Esports as the Next Frontier of Media, which will be attended by administrators and executives from various sectors and institutions tied to esports.

It will be moderated by Dr. Alex Schudey, Managing Director and Partner of the Boston Consulting Group. He will be joined by speakers Chester King, the CEO of British Esports and Vice President of the Global Esports Federation; Stephan Fox, President, United Through Sports and Vice President, GAISF; and Vlad Marinescu, President of the International Esports Federation. The session will zero in on how gaming is shaping entertainment.

The second day will also see several panels, including Gaming my Life: Dark Side, Light Side. It will include Joana Pérez Martorell, the Chief of Partnerships at UNICEF; Houssam Chahine, Chief of Private Sector Partnerships and Philanthropy for MENA at UNHCR; Désiré Koussawo, an international esports consultant; and Vlad Marinescu, the President of the International Esports Federation.

Far from the only big hitters at the Next World Forum, they will be joined by over 1,200 other senior figures, including sports ministers of leading countries, major investors, video game developers, sport federation representatives, professional gamers, public sector representatives, prominent advertisers, publishers, and media figures.

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Top-seeds Sabalenka and Zverev Advance in Madrid

Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus celebrates after her victory over Elise Mertens of Belgium during the Madrid Open tennis tournament in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, April 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus celebrates after her victory over Elise Mertens of Belgium during the Madrid Open tennis tournament in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, April 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
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Top-seeds Sabalenka and Zverev Advance in Madrid

Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus celebrates after her victory over Elise Mertens of Belgium during the Madrid Open tennis tournament in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, April 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus celebrates after her victory over Elise Mertens of Belgium during the Madrid Open tennis tournament in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, April 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka rallied to defeat former doubles partner Elise Mertens in three sets and advance to the last 16 of the Madrid Open on Sunday.
Top-seeded Alexander Zverev scraped past Alejandro Davidovich Fokina after requiring tiebreakers in the final two sets of their match, while defending men's champion Andrey Rublev lost in three sets to Alexander Bublik.
Sabalenka got off to a poor start against the 26th-ranked Mertens, but picked up the pace to comfortably close out the match at the Caja Magica center court, The Associated Press reported.
The two-time champion in Madrid won 3-6, 6-2, 6-1 to keep alive her hopes of reaching the final for the third straight time. Sabalenka won the title in the Spanish capital in 2021 and 2023, and finished runner-up to Iga Swiatek last year.
“I think it’s one of those days where I didn’t feel my best and I got super emotional in that beginning of the first set and put myself in a tough situation," Sabalenka said. "I’m really happy that I was able to bring such a high level in the second and the third set, especially against someone like Elise, if you give her any chance, she’s going to be there fighting and putting you under pressure, so really happy with the way I turned around this game.”
It was Sabalenka's ninth consecutive victory over Mertens, her doubles partner while winning the 2019 US Open and 2021 Australian Open. Sabalenka had won 14 consecutive sets against the Belgian.
“She’s such a great player, it doesn’t matter the score between us, it’s always a great battle," Sabalenka said.
Sabalenka will next face either Rebeka Masarova or Peyton Stearns.
Zverev struggled early but recovered to fend off a gritty performance by local favorite Davidovich Fokina in the third round. The second-ranked German needed tiebreakers to outlast the Spaniard 2-6, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (0).
Zverev, seeking his third Madrid Open title, has won seven matches in a row and is coming off a title-run in Munich.
“The first set wasn’t my best tennis but it is sport and it can change quickly,” Zverev said. “I was down a set and a break and I had to fight. I am very happy with the win. Alejandro is playing unbelievable tennis, the best of his life, so I am happy to be through.”
Zverev will face either Francisco Cerundolo or Francisco Comesaña.
Defending champion upset Defending champion Rublev was eliminated after a 6-4, 0-6, 6-4 loss to Bublik.
It was the 10th top-10 win for the 75th-ranked Bublik, who made it to the fourth round in Madrid for the fourth time.
Rublev did not have to play in the previous round because Gael Monfils withdrew with an illness.
The eighth-ranked Rublev beat Felix Auger-Aliassime in last year's final in the Spanish capital.
Bublik will next face Ben Shelton or Miami champion Jakub Mensik in the round of 16.
Brandon Nakashima got past Flavio Cobolli to reach the fourth round of a Master 1000 tournament for the fifth time. The 32nd-ranked American will next meet either Daniil Medvedev or Juan Manuel Cerundolo.