Saudi Arabia esports events 2026

In July 2026 Saudi Arabian carrier Saudia announced the launch of a specially‑liveried aircraft for the Esports World Cup stop in Paris, marking the first commercial plane dedicated to an esports tournament. The jet will operate daily between Riyadh and Paris, featuring in‑flight entertainment tied to the event and a Fortnite community activation, and will remain in Saudia’s network for up to two years after the tournament.

Later that month, Saudi Arabia confirmed that Riyadh will host the inaugural Esports Nations Cup in November 2026. The competition will involve more than 2,000 athletes from over 100 nations across 16 titles. Adidas was named the Official Kit Partner, supplying custom jerseys and tracksuits, while the EA Sports FC segment will grant 64 direct invitations—one top‑ranked player from each invited nation. The Nations Cup expands Saudi Arabia’s role from supporting an international esports stop to staging a large‑scale, nation‑based esports championship.

Together, the airline partnership and the forthcoming Nations Cup illustrate Saudi Arabia’s escalating investment in esports infrastructure, branding, and international competition throughout 2026.