The Dubai Police Esports Tournament is set to get underway this week, the latest in a series of events in the Middle East, which is fast becoming a hub for esports.
Dubai Police announced that the event, which runs from August 14 to August 17, will feature over 1,500 players from various nationalities. Players will compete across six titles: Counter-Strike 2, VALORANT, Dota 2, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, EA Sports FC 25, and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang for a prize pool of AED 200,000 ($59,000).
The fifth edition of the event aims to educate participants about balanced gaming practices, the importance of exercising caution when interacting with strangers, and the potential cybercrimes associated with online gaming.
Dubai Downtown Image Credit: Pascal Debrunner/Unsplash
Middle East Esports Events Continue to Increase
The event comes at a time when esports events in the Middle East are becoming increasingly common. In April, the Dubai Esports and Games Festival was held, and the Esports World Cup is still ongoing in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The current event has a prize pool of $70 million, up from $60 million last year. Riyadh will also host the inaugural Olympic Esports Games in 2027, after the International Olympic Committee chose the city earlier this year.
The Global Esports Games was scheduled to take place in Dubai later this year, but the venue has been changed to Peru by the organisers.
Saudi Arabia Aims to Shape Future of Esports
Within the Middle East, Saudi Arabia is establishing itself as the home of esports. The country has invested heavily in esports since 2023, when plans were revealed to create the ‘world’s first comprehensive gaming and esports district’.
As well as hosting the Esports World Cup and the Olympics, the kingdom is the venue for the New Global Sport Conference (NGSC) later this month.
Prince Faisal bin Bandar told the National this week that he believes the event will further strengthen the nation’s position as a leader in esports.
He stated, “Hosting NGSC positions Saudi Arabia as a global thought leader and a central convener in the converging worlds of gaming, esports and traditional sport.
“Our ambition is not only to host an event, it is to lead the conversation and directly influence the trajectory of these industries on a global scale.”
The event will feature speakers from the sport, gaming, and technology industries. Notable names include Casey Wasserman, chairman of the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and Ralf Reichert, chief executive of the Esports World Cup Foundation.
Prince Faisal went on to add, “By bringing leaders from sport, gaming, technology and investment into one space, we are ensuring that the conversations are wide-ranging and solutions-focused”.