In a move reflecting logistical flexibility and an exceptional ability to export business models, Saudi Arabia transformed geopolitical challenges into a strategic victory by successfully moving the Esports World Cup from Riyadh to the French capital, Paris, in just seven weeks. This success extended beyond organizational and audience-related dimensions, coinciding with a major financial breakthrough: the acquisition of Electronic Arts (EA) by a consortium led by the Public Investment Fund in a landmark deal valued at $55 billion. The move further establishes the Kingdom as a dominant force in the global gaming industry.

This exceptional edition, which concluded in the presence of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and French President Emmanuel Macron, carried political and economic significance extending well beyond the boundaries of digital competitions. According to organizers’ data, the event attracted more than 150,000 spectators in Paris, while its management operated a complex system involving more than 2,000 players and 200 clubs competing across 25 tournaments for prizes worth more than $75 million. The Champs-Élysées and the area around the Arc de Triomphe were transformed into a global marketing showcase highlighting the tournament’s growing commercial value.

At the broader financial level, the success of the “Paris Test” and the growth of Saudi acquisitions represent a key pillar of a government strategy aimed at injecting 50 billion riyals into the Kingdom’s gross domestic product by 2030. The recent acquisition of Electronic Arts, carried out with the participation of Silver Lake and Affinity Partners alongside investments by Savvy Games Group, deepens Riyadh’s control over the value chain of an industry generating more than $200 billion in revenue worldwide. It gives Saudi Arabia exclusive intellectual property rights that strengthen its independence and its ability to organize major competitions and produce games locally.

These strategic moves translated into clear economic returns: the French government estimated the event’s indirect economic impact at approximately €600 million. In the digital sphere, Esports Charts data recorded exceptional surges in viewership, with PUBG Mobile leading the momentum by generating 17.68 million hours watched, surpassing the levels recorded during the 2025 Riyadh edition. This momentum coincided with the activation of strategic marketing campaigns featuring global personalities such as Cristiano Ronaldo, helping attract major brands and increase the tournament’s commercial appeal.

Saudi Arabia’s competitive footprint was also evident in the financial and organizational landscape. Twelve local teams took part and secured three titles, demonstrating that investment is not limited to infrastructure and intellectual property rights but also extends to developing human capital and talent. Ultimately, the Paris experience validated the Saudi Esports Federation’s bet on the exportability of its intellectual property beyond its borders, transforming the tournament from a local event into a global commercial and strategic asset managed with high economic efficiency.