First Speakers Revealed for Saudi Government’s 2024 New Global Sport Conference

The New Global Sport Conference 2024 speakers revealed. Image credit: Government of Saudi Arabia.

The Esports World Cup Foundation announced Tuesday the theme of this year’s New Global Sport Conference taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Aug. 24 – 25, and the first wave of speakers that will be taking part in the Saudi government-backed event.

This year’s theme is “The Future of Fandom” and promises to “explore the evolving dynamics of fan engagement,” according to a release.

In October at last year’s conference, the Esports World Cup Foundation and the Esports World Cup were revealed, and many of the participants and attendees ended up cutting deals to take part in the eight-week esports competition and gaming festival that is happening now in Riyadh and is currently in its fourth week (July 4 – Aug. 24). The groundwork was also laid for the Esports World Cup Club Support Program, which incentivized partnered teams to sign new rosters and earn extra financial incentives by promoting the event on social media and streaming platforms.

This year’s speakers confirmed on Tuesday include:

• Saudi Esports Federation Chairman HRH Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan
• Esports World Cup Foundation CEO Ralf Reichert
• World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen,
• Sony Executive Deputy President and CSO Toshimoto Mitomo
• Niko Partners CEO Lisa Hanson, CEO, Niko Partners
• Andreessen Horowitz Attorney and General Partner Andrew Chen
• Managing Partner of Principal Venture Partners and Trustee of the Asian Art Museum Foundation of San Francisco Dr. Songyee Yoon,
• Access Industries Founder and DAZN Owner Sir Leonard Blavatnik
• Sim Racing & Motorsports Driver Jann Mardenborough

No doubt, more speakers will be announced/revealed as we get closer to the New Global Sport Conference taking place at the Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh At Kingdom Center. In its announcement organizers said that more than 60 “global leaders” will share insights on “innovation, market expansion, and the creation of game titles designed to endure for decades.“

Early details about the two-day conference can be found at the New Global Sport Conference website.

Given the Saudi government’s recent deal with the International Olympic Committee to host the Olympic Esports Games in the country for the next 12 years, one should pay close attention to which stakeholders are in Riyadh for this conference, as it will reveal which stakeholders and IP owners are going to provide their games for the first Olympic Esports Games. Also, expect tweaks/changes to the Qiddiya City Club Program and the Esports World Cup Club Support Program—as program owners use the data they have gathered to spend less in some places and more in others.