The Saudi Esports Federation, organizers of the Riyadh, Saudi Arabia-based esports and gaming festival Gamers8, announced Tuesday that the total prize pool for the next event in July has been increased by $15M USD, with the total sitting at $45M. This is a $15M increase from the amount announced on Jan. 26 and also represents three times the $15M offered to competitors last year.
On a related note, a leaked ESL document obtained by Richard Lewis shows that a new Dota 2 circuit specific to the region is being planned. According to Lewis’ reporting, ESL will rework the Dota 2 circuit to add a brand new event called the “Riyadh Masters,” which quite obviously will take place in Saudi Arabia’s capital city.
The proposal, which is described as tentative and subject to change, would merge DreamLeague, ESL One, and the Riyadh Masters into a new global circuit, across the next two years, and would include increased prize pools.
ESL is a division of ESL FACEIT Group, which is owned by Savvy Games Group and backed by the Saudi Arabian government’s Public Investment Fund. ESL FACEIT Group announced last week that it had acquired U.S.-based esports tournament and production company Vindex, its Esports Engine, and data analytics divisions.
