The Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) has announced a partnership with a leading operator in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, stc Group.
As part of the deal, the brand has been named the elite and founding partner of the first Esports World Cup (EWC), which will be held at Riyadh Boulevard City, a world-class venue, from July 3 to August 25.
The agreement was unveiled during a formal signing ceremony joined by Faisal Alsaber, Group Chief Commercial Officer, and Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation.
Under this collaboration, stc Group will provide seamless connections throughout all EWC locations, resulting in an unrivalled competitive gaming environment. With a proven track record of innovation and the integration of sophisticated technology in gaming across the area, the stc Group will take both professional and hobbyist gaming esports tournaments to new levels.
stc Group is also the naming partner for three important event venues: stc Arena, stc Play Gaming Hall, and stc TV World Cup Studios, all of which will exhibit innovative and comprehensive digital and gaming experiences. The venues will emphasise stc Group’s vital position in the event, underlining the company’s dedication to promoting the kingdom’s esports business. The stc Arena and World Cup Studios will stage esports matches, while the Gaming Hall will serve as a central location for community competitions and other activities.
Ralf Reichert, CEO of Esports World Cup Foundation, said, “I’m proud to welcome stc Group, a telecommunications giant and digital pioneer, as an Elite and Founding Partner of the Esports World Cup. stc Group is the digital backbone of our competitions and will bring the EWC content to local and global audiences. Through their festival activation, stc will enable fans visiting the EWC to stay connected with the special stc SIM Card.
“As one of the largest companies in the MENA region, their support means we’re not only going to offer exceptional digital access for fans and athletes but can take the Esports World Cup to the next level.”
Olayan Alwetaid, stc Group CEO, said, “Our partnership with the Esports World Cup is a testament to our vision for the future of gaming. We are thrilled to be deploying our seamless world-class connectivity, enabling the kingdom to become the premier global hub for gaming. stc Group is committed to bringing this event to life with innovative technological solutions, as well as showcasing the vast scale and scope of its services.”
Throughout the EWC, stc play, the top gaming platform for amateur and professional gamers, will offer entertaining activities, such as a continuous prediction section for all competitions. In addition, the stc play app allows attendees to register for community tournaments held at the stc play Gaming Hall, one of the festival’s main venues.
stc tv, an industry-leading streaming service, will play a critical role in broadcasting all EWC competitions on its platform, allowing fans to see the action develop in real-time. This collaboration demonstrates the dedication of both the stc Group and the Esports World Cup to supporting the expansion of the Kingdom’s gaming sector, contributing to Vision 2030’s goal of becoming a leading gaming hub.
The Esports World Cup, which will take place over eight weeks beginning July 3, 2024, will transform Riyadh into the epicentre of esports and gaming culture. The festival will feature gaming activities, community contests, pop culture events, overseas experiences, and more. Fans can attend these exciting events and see elite athletes and teams compete in 20-game championships for a piece of more than $60 million in prize money, the highest prize pool in esports history.