The Prince of Wales participated in a Rocket League showmatch during an official visit to the Esports World Cup Foundation in Riyadh on February 11. The British Royal joined Saudi sport and esports leadership to explore the role of esports in youth development and international engagement.
Prince of Wales joins Esports Discussions with EWC Foundation
The Prince of Wales was hosted by the Esports World Cup Foundation and joined by Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki bin Faisal, the Saudi Minister of Sport, and Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan, Chairman of the Saudi Esports Federation. The visit centered on discussions about esports as a platform for education, career pathways, and community participation. Foundation executives outlined how the Esports World Cup and Esports Nations Cup contribute to sustainable growth of the global gaming industry.
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During the visit, the Prince of Wales watched a women’s VALORANT showmatch between Team Falcons and Twisted Minds, highlighting the growing participation of women in competitive gaming. He then led a United Kingdom team in a Rocket League showmatch against a Saudi Arabian team captained by Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan, demonstrating esports’ accessibility and appeal across cultures.
“Esports in Saudi Arabia has grown into a truly global sport” – Saudi Esports Federation Chairman
Discussing the visit, Chairman of the Saudi Esports Federation, Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan said, “It was a pleasure to welcome HRH The Prince of Wales to SEF Arena and share how esports in Saudi Arabia has grown into a truly global sport and a platform for youth development. The visit reflected a shared commitment to education, skills and career pathways, including initiatives such as the SEF Academy. Esports today plays an important role in engaging young people and supporting the development of talent across the Kingdom.”
The visit comes as Riyadh prepared to host the Esports World Cup this summer, followed by the Esports Nations Cup in November. The EWC, in its third year, will feature the world’s best organizations compete across 25 events, while the inaugral Esports Nations Cup puts national rosters to battle across eight games, including Counter-Strike 2 and Dota 2.
