ESL FACEIT Group (EFG) has opened a new regional headquarters and flagship esports venue located in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the company announced Wednesday.
The company said in its announcement that this new regional headquarters represents a “long-term commitment to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its rapidly expanding esports ecosystem, solidifying Riyadh’s emergence as a global capital of esports.”
EFG has offices all over the world, including Germany, London, California, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Sweden, Poland, Spain, and France. It should be noted that the key reason EFG would open a regional office in Riyadh is that it is owned by Savvy Games Group, a gaming and esports company fully owned by the Saudi Arabian government’s sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF).
In addition to these new regional offices, EFG’s facility also houses a “state-of-the-art facility” to host major esports events such as the ESL Saudi Challenge and other international tournaments and to foster and grow local grassroots, scholastic, and collegiate-level talent. The space features 1,000 square meters with a seating capacity capable of supporting 500+ guests, 300+ square meters of LED screens, and production capabilities to produce and support “major broadcasts, tournaments, brand activations, and media events.”
“Today marks an important moment not simply for EFG, but for the future of esports in Saudi Arabia,” said Niccolo Maisto, CEO of EFG, in a release. “We are committed to supporting the Kingdom’s vision, tapping into its energetic, young population to fuel major growth. With the opening of our new regional headquarters, we are establishing a new stage for our most exciting competitions, while helping to drive key infrastructure and localized content. We firmly believe Riyadh is becoming the global capital of esports, and we’re honored to play a leading role.”
Finally, the new headquarters will serve as a way for EFG to support the Saudi Arabian government’s “National Games & Esports Strategy” and Vision 2023, which aims to create more than 39,000 jobs and generate a SAR 50 billion (roughly $13.3 billion USD) contribution to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) by 2030.
Sports and esports projects backed or owned by the Saudi Arabian government are often criticized for helping the government engage in “sports washing,” or using various forms of sport and entertainment to cover up its record on human rights, women’s rights, LGBTQ+ 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.