New game, new MVP: Saudi Arabia blurs the lines between gaming and traditional sports

RIYADH: As the global spotlight turns to Riyadh for the 2025 New Global Sports Conference, Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan, president of the Saudi Esports Federation, sat down with Arab News for an exclusive interview outlining how the Kingdom is rapidly shaping the future of gaming, esports and traditional sports.

Held alongside the largest esports tournament on the planet, the Esports World Cup, NGSC 2025 — which Arab News is an official media partner of — is more than a high-profile gathering; it is a strategic inflection point for an industry undergoing unprecedented transformation.

AI, athlete well-being and education: The three pillars of evolution

According to Prince Faisal, the evolution of the global esports landscape is being driven by three transformative forces: AI integration, the professionalization of esports athletes and the fusion of gaming with education.

“We’ve seen that in traditional sports, and we’re seeing it now in esports, where instead of the team spending so much time breaking down the data, that data can be broken down by AI very quickly,” he said. “(Now), they can spend more time working with the team and adjusting, and doing different things.”

Equally important is the growing focus on holistic player care. Esports athletes today are increasingly supported like their traditional sports counterparts — with attention to physical health, mental well-being and career sustainability.

He added that support infrastructure is already visible at the EWC: “We are seeing physiotherapists, psychologists and support staff built around teams — not just for performance, but for longevity.”

Esports teams and leagues are focused on building athletes, not just gamers, Prince Faisal said.

Education