Esports in the Gulf Region: Will Qatar Become the Next Digital Arena?
The emergence of esports in the Gulf has been driven by a combination of ubiquitous smartphone use, government funding, and a growing sense of social acceptance. To understand what this means for the region in general, and Qatar in particular, we need to consider everything within the context of Qatar’s Vision 2030 goals. As the following analysis will show, esports are already playing a key role in economic and social diversification on many levels.
The Rise of Esports in the Middle East
The global esports industry is valued at more than $1.5B with more than $25M coming from the GCC region alone. Right across the Gulf region, esports has already proven itself to be a viable form of highly lucrative entertainment.
When looking at gamers in Saudi Arabia for example, more than 71% regularly watch or partake in organized esports events. This is largely driven by the high level of investment from the Public Investment Fund (PIF) that has created and backed Savvy Games Group.
To date, the PIF has invested $38B resulting in the targeted acquisition of dozens of gaming developers and hosting companies. The country has also led the way in hosting the esports World Cup and turning it into a global streaming spectacle.
A similar story is playing out in the UAE where Abu Dhabi’s investment vehicles have recently announced they are building a dedicated esports island. Backed by $280M of investment at the time of writing, this initiative is designed to cement the UAE’s place as a major global hub for gamers and esports competitors.
While it is safe to say that Qatar does not currently compete at these levels, this is a country that is rapidly growing as a leisure and entertainment destination. The global spectacle that was the FIFA World Cup came to Qatar in 2022 and saw the iconic moment when Lionel Messi finally lifted the one trophy his career was still missing. From this point of global focus and attention, Qatar has continued to build momentum.
Most notable in the context of esports is the government’s support of groups like Team Mana with a view to accelerating the growth and development of a thriving esports ecosystem. Media City Qatar is also set to launch an esports Forum that will serve as an incubator for startups and fledgling teams who want to increase their access and exposure.
Why Qatar Is Poised to Join the Digital Arena
Qatar’s ability to take the next step and compete with the UAE and Saudi Arabia is about more than just sovereign wealth and a willingness to invest. The country already has much of the infrastructure required to make such a move:
- High-speed internet is present throughout the country and readily accessible
- State-of-the-art stadiums and arenas are already in place thanks to events such as the FIFA World Cup
- Tech parks such as Media City Qatar are already open for business and serving as hubs for travelers from other countries
As well as social pressure from the younger generation, a move into high-level esports is also fully aligned with the Qatar National Vision 2030 program that focuses on empowerment and economic diversification.
The growing acceptance of the need to move beyond an oil-based economy has seen interest in esports from across the government. The likes of the Qatar Foundation, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, and the Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZA) are all investing and devoting resources right now.
With the upcoming AI Leadership & Management in November 2025, it is safe to say that Qatar’s focus extends to many different areas of the digital world, not just esports.
Popular Games and Communities in Qatar
Youth participation in esports is expected to grow at a rate of more than 12% and is driven, in part, by the combination of legacy franchises and new titles. FIFA, Call of Duty, and Fortnite are globally renowned franchises with a constant stream of new titles, while others such as PUBG Mobile and League of Legends have their own loyal followings.
As with any sport, a grassroots culture needs to be in place to ensure that upcoming talent and passionate young players have easy access to competition. Discord servers are a popular medium for young people to communicate and organize informal leagues and competitions online.
The role of government investment is to provide a pathway that allows dedicated and skilled amateur players to get the training, resources, and outside support that enables them to turn a hobby into a full-time profession.
From Players to Pros – Can Qatar Develop Esports Talent?
Local talent pipelines are what turn a country like Qatar from a passionate amateur into a hotbed of gamers and esports competitors who can compete on a global footing. Formal coaching, dedicated teams, content creators who raise awareness, and streamers who pull in viewers all have roles to play.
Much of this will be overseen by the fledgling Qatar ESports Federation which was founded in 2022. One of their main areas of focus to date has been looking at collaboration between schools, colleges, and universities to help students explore relationships with global esports leagues and organizations. Making these types of introductions will play a pivotal role in turning players into pros in the coming years.
Esports, Not Gambling – Qatar’s Clear Line on Online Play
It’s important to note that esports and gambling are two different things, although there are platforms where people in some countries place bets on esports competitions. Esports is not inherently monetized whereas online casinos and betting apps are. This means that tournament organizers who operate in Qatar will typically avoid things such as loot boxes that could be considered to step outside the boundaries of current legislation.
For those who want to see where the line is given how fast things are changing in Qatar, visit: www.qatarcasino.com. This will give you an example of a site where online casinos are available for players in Qatar. It will be interesting to see if the country continues to progress with online gambling access and esports simultaneously and whether or not the two begin to overlap in the years ahead.
Regional Competition: How Qatar Can Differentiate Itself
Saudi Arabia’s Gamers8 Festival and the UAE’s Blast Premier both pose stiff competition for any new entrant in the region. Qatar’s move into sports diplomacy in the form of the World Cup could prove to be a new way into the market as it shows the country in a welcoming and open light.
The push to form links between universities and esports organizations may also provide a natural pipeline for both talent and innovation. This is exactly what is needed to differentiate the country from neighboring states that have already invested billions of dollars.
The Bigger Game – Why Esports Could Be Qatar’s Next Global Move
Many analysts are increasingly viewing esports as a “soft power” tool that can be used as a highly effective means of practicing cultural diplomacy. The idea is to make Qatar feel more open and accessible by linking it to something millions of people around the world enjoy.
For this to happen in a sustainable way, the authorities will need to build partnerships with the Saudis and the Emiratis so that they can co-host GCC tournaments. Doing so will then attract developers from outside the Gulf and show esports athletes, teams, and brands that Qatar is a destination they need to add to their schedule.
Qatar’s next major arena of competition might well be digital gaming and esports, especially when you consider that all of the infrastructure is already in place. Watch this space!
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