Saudi Arabia’s $55B Esports Gambit: World Cup Moves to Paris

Saudi Arabia is spending heavily to become a global esports powerhouse. The kingdom recently acquired Electronic Arts in a $55 billion deal. Now, its flagship Esports World Cup is being held outside the country for the first time—this year in Paris. The moves are part of a larger push to diversify the Saudi economy away from oil and gas. By investing in gaming, the government aims to build a new, sustainable industry. The strategy is bold, but the financial stakes are enormous.