Riyadh to Host FIFAe Finals 2024 on December 5-12

General view of Riyadh/ File Photo-AAWSAT
General view of Riyadh/ File Photo-AAWSAT
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Riyadh to Host FIFAe Finals 2024 on December 5-12

General view of Riyadh/ File Photo-AAWSAT
General view of Riyadh/ File Photo-AAWSAT

The FIFAe Finals 2024 will mark the first time that the event includes multiple esports titles, establishing itself as the ultimate stage for both the FIFAe World Cup™ featuring Rocket League and the FIFAe World Cup featuring eFootball™ on console and mobile, respectively.
Hosted at the Saudi Esports Federation (SEF) Arena at BLVD Riyadh City, the event will unfold in two stages. It begins with the FIFAe World Cup featuring Rocket League from December 5 to 8, followed by FIFAe World Cup featuring eFootball™, on both console and mobile, that will run December 9 to 12, SPA reported.
Ahead of the eagerly anticipated tournaments, SEF chief executive Turki Al-Fawzan said, "As we continue to strengthen Saudi Arabia's position as a global leader in esports, hosting the FIFAe Finals 2024 is a proud moment for us. This event not only highlights the Kingdom's commitment to the esports ecosystem but also provides an unparalleled opportunity for players from across the world to showcase their talent and passion on a global stage. We're excited to witness the next chapter of esports history unfold right here in Riyadh."
Meanwhile, FIFA secretary-general Mattias Grafstrom said: "This year's addition of multiple new titles marks a major expansion for football esports tournaments, offering players from diverse ecosystems the chance to compete on the biggest stage under the FIFAe banner. We're excited to continue this momentum together with the SEF and look forward to bringing this event to life in December together with our partners and publishers."
The prestigious event offers players the opportunity to represent their nations and lift the official FIFAe World Cup Trophy on the biggest stage. With 16 countries competing in Rocket League and up to 18 countries going head-to-head in eFootball™, the tournaments promise to be an exhilarating showcase of the world's top talent, fueled by intense national pride for the first time in these esports ecosystems. Full details on the competing nations and the tournament format can be found at FIFA.GG.
In line with Rocket League's third-party regulations, the prize pool for the FIFAe World Cup featuring Rocket League stands at $250,000. The prize pool for both eFootball™ competitions, console and mobile, totals $100,000 each, bringing the total prize distribution for the FIFAe Finals 2024 to $450,000.
Boasting a gaming-savvy population, strong participation in FIFAe competitions, and a legacy of world champions, Riyadh was chosen as host of the FIFAe Finals 2024. With SEF as a presenting partner, the FIFAe Finals are continuing to expand, engaging local and global communities in this growing ecosystem. All days of the FIFAe Finals 2024 are open for the public on a walk-in basis.
The FIFAe Finals 2024 are the second FIFAe event of this year after the inaugural FIFAe Next Gen event in Liverpool, England, which included the first-ever FIFAe World Cup featuring Football Manager, alongside the FIFAe Fame Your Game Cup.



Qatar’s Sovereign Wealth Fund Takes a Stake in Audi’s Future F1 Team

 Formula One F1 - Qatar Grand Prix - Lusail International Circuit, Lusail, Qatar - November 29, 2024 Sauber's Guanyu Zhou, Williams' Franco Colapinto and McLaren's Oscar Piastri during practice. (Reuters)
Formula One F1 - Qatar Grand Prix - Lusail International Circuit, Lusail, Qatar - November 29, 2024 Sauber's Guanyu Zhou, Williams' Franco Colapinto and McLaren's Oscar Piastri during practice. (Reuters)
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Qatar’s Sovereign Wealth Fund Takes a Stake in Audi’s Future F1 Team

 Formula One F1 - Qatar Grand Prix - Lusail International Circuit, Lusail, Qatar - November 29, 2024 Sauber's Guanyu Zhou, Williams' Franco Colapinto and McLaren's Oscar Piastri during practice. (Reuters)
Formula One F1 - Qatar Grand Prix - Lusail International Circuit, Lusail, Qatar - November 29, 2024 Sauber's Guanyu Zhou, Williams' Franco Colapinto and McLaren's Oscar Piastri during practice. (Reuters)

The sovereign wealth fund of Qatar is acquiring a “significant minority stake” in what will become Audi's works Formula 1 team from 2026, in a deal announced Friday ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix.

A joint statement said the Qatar Investment Authority will be “a long-term investor and partner” and provide “a substantial capital injection” that will help the team expand its infrastructure.

The team is currently competing as Sauber and will be rebranded as the Audi works outfit for 2026 after it reached agreement for a full takeover earlier this year.

“This additional capital will accelerate the team’s growth and is yet another milestone on our long-term strategy,” Audi chief executive Gernot Döllner said in the joint statement.

Qatar is already an investor in the Volkswagen Group, of which Audi is a part.

“QIA believes that Formula 1 is a sport with significant untapped investment potential,” QIA chief executive Mohammed Saif Al-Sowaidi said.

"The increasing commercialization of professional sports as an entertainment offering globally, and the increasingly global popularity of Formula 1, has made for an exciting opportunity for our first major motorsports investment.”

Sauber is changing both its drivers for 2025, as Nico Hülkenberg and rookie Gabriel Bortoleto arrive to replace Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu. It is the only team yet to score a point this season.