The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) formally announced the strategic partners joining the New Global Sport Conference 2025 (NGSC 2025), the organization’s industry conference that takes place following the conclusion of the Esports World Cup, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, at the end of August.
Partners announced include stc group, Qiddiya, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Aramco, Savvy Games Group, Cenomi Centers, ESL FACEIT Group (EFG), Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Group, and Boston Consulting Group.
It should be noted that many of these partners and sponsors are either already partners of the 2025 Esports World Cup or are owned and operated by the Saudi Arabian government’s sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF).
Broadband services company stc group has been designated as an “elite partner” and will provide the conference with a digital infrastructure to handle live streaming broadcasts, internet connectivity, and more during the conference.
PIF-backed mega-city project Qiddiya has been named a “nexus partner” and will highlight the going-on and state of that project during the conference as well.
AWS will be on hand to provide its expertise on next-generation esports viewing experience through its cloud technology and machine learning solutions.
Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Group will contribute any needed medical services to attendees.
Savvy Games Group (owned by the PIF) will be on hand to speak about investment and growth across game development and esport.
ESL FACEIT Group (EFG – owned by Savvy Games Group) will be there to discuss its work in operational, broadcast and marketing within the esports industry.
From the retail sector, government-owned shopping center firm Cenomi Centers will be there to talk about youth culture and lifestyle destinations and bringing esports into everyday spaces.
Finally, Boston Consulting Group (BCG) has been named a “thought partner” and will bring its “strategic insight and global perspectives to NGSC’s executive forums that define the next phase of global industry growth,” according to the announcement.
More details on the previously announced speakers list can be found in this TEA report. NGSC2025 will take place Aug. 23 – 24, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The event is facilitated by EWCF, which is funded by a grant from the Saudi Arabian government’s sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund, or PIF. More information about the conference can be found at its official website, www.newglobalsportconference.com.
Projects backed or owned by the Saudi Arabian government such as Esports World Cup and the NGSC2025 are often criticized for helping the government engage in so-called “sports washing,” or using various forms of sport and entertainment to cover up its record on human rights, women’s rights, LGTBQ+ rights, military actions in Yemen, and more. These and other criticisms have been highlighted by international watchdog groups such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.