Qiddiya Announces Launch of Gaming & Esports District

The Board of Directors of the Qiddiya Investment Company has announced the launch of the Qiddiya project’s Gaming & Esports District. SPA
The Board of Directors of the Qiddiya Investment Company has announced the launch of the Qiddiya project’s Gaming & Esports District. SPA
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Qiddiya Announces Launch of Gaming & Esports District

The Board of Directors of the Qiddiya Investment Company has announced the launch of the Qiddiya project’s Gaming & Esports District. SPA
The Board of Directors of the Qiddiya Investment Company has announced the launch of the Qiddiya project’s Gaming & Esports District. SPA

The Board of Directors of the Qiddiya Investment Company has announced the launch of the Qiddiya project’s Gaming & Esports District, which is the first multi-use gaming and esports district in the world.

With the aim of attracting players from all over the world, the district will enhance the Kingdom’s position as a global center for gaming and esports.

The announcement of the Gaming & Esports District is an extension of the support of the Crown Prince for the gaming and esports sector through the launch of the National Strategy for Gaming and Esports, and many initiatives that would contribute to achieving the Kingdom’s goals in the sector, which attracts the interest from two-thirds of society’s members.

On the launch, the Managing Director of Qiddiya Investment Company, Abdullah bin Nasser Aldawood, said: “The gaming and esports sector is one of the fastest growing, and we can see the ambitious plans of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to advance it. Our role will be to host major events and tournaments by developing the infrastructure so that Qiddiya City can invite the world to live, learn and compete in gaming and esports.”

“The gaming and esports district in Qiddiya City is not only for esports professionals, but rather for gaming enthusiasts of all levels and ages. This district turns the world of gaming into a tangible reality. This area will be the place where the gaming community feels welcome,” Aldawood added.

The district is expected to include four arenas designed to the highest standards to host the most prominent global events in the gaming sector throughout the year, with the capacity of the stadium reaching 73,000 seats. One of the venues will have 5,300 seats, making it one of the three largest esports stadiums in the world. It will also have the largest indoor LED screen among all esports areas around the world.

The district will cover more than 500,000 square meters, including 100,000 square meters dedicated to retail, dining and entertainment. It will become the place for gamers from all walks of life to live, work and play, with gaming-themed apartments and hotels.

The district will also host up to 25 esports clubs from around the world to live, train and compete. The district will welcome leaders of the gaming and esports sector, and will provide regional headquarters to more than 30 leading video games development companies.

The Gaming & Esports District, located in Qiddiya City will support the National Strategy for Gaming and Esports, which aims to make the Kingdom a global center for gaming and e-sports by 2030, and will play a major role in attracting up to 10 million visits annually.



Austrian Skier Huetter Wins World Cup Downhill, World Champion Johnson Finishes 3rd

Cornelia Huetter of Austria in action during the Women's Downhill at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Trondheim, Norway, 28 February 2025. EPA/Stian Lysberg Solum
Cornelia Huetter of Austria in action during the Women's Downhill at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Trondheim, Norway, 28 February 2025. EPA/Stian Lysberg Solum
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Austrian Skier Huetter Wins World Cup Downhill, World Champion Johnson Finishes 3rd

Cornelia Huetter of Austria in action during the Women's Downhill at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Trondheim, Norway, 28 February 2025. EPA/Stian Lysberg Solum
Cornelia Huetter of Austria in action during the Women's Downhill at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Trondheim, Norway, 28 February 2025. EPA/Stian Lysberg Solum

Cornelia Huetter won the first women’s World Cup downhill since the Alpine skiing world championships on Friday to give new life to the battle for the discipline title.
The Austrian got her second downhill win of the season after beating Emma Aicher of Germany by 0.15 seconds. The 21-year-old Aicher secured her first career podium finish.
Downhill world champion Breezy Johnson finished 0.40 seconds behind in third as the American continued the wait for her maiden World Cup victory, The Associated Press reported.
Huetter also won the season opener in Beaver Creek, Colorado, in December and closed the gap on discipline leader Federica Brignone to 26 points with three races left this season.
Brignone placed fifth, shortly behind Italian teammate Sofia Goggia, a week after she got back-to-back wins in two giant slalom races in Italy.
Huetter won the downhill title last season.
Lindsey Vonn finished 1.15 seconds off the lead and outside the top 10 as the 2010 Olympic champion continued her comeback season after six years away from racing.
“Experimenting every day with my equipment and I think I’m making progress. Focused on trying to improve every day, even if it’s small,” Vonn posted on Instagram on the eve of the race.
After a freezing cold night, the snow surface was harder than during the training runs the past days, meaning skiers reached higher speeds and needed to judge their turns differently on a course they were not used to race on.
Kvitfjell is an annual stop on the men’s circuit but hosted only one women’s downhill over the past 22 years, when Kajsa Vickhoff Lie celebrated a home win in 2023.
Another downhill is scheduled for Saturday, followed by a super-G the next day.