Qiddiya City, nestled in Saudi Arabia’s Tuwaiq mountains, is a futuristic city comprising a mix of high-energy entertainment attractions, sports complexes, cultural landmarks and residential neighbourhoods.

Qiddiya City is building an entire gaming and esports district, covering 183,100 square meters of arenas, facilities, and a variety of innovative technologies and platforms to facilitate gaming for everyone, not only professional esports players and avid fans, but also the uninitiated: the curious, the dabblers, and those who are just looking for a fun day out.

With sports tourism in general, people travel to attend football matches, tournaments, and so on. Esports is no different in the sense that fans want to be physically connected with their favorite players in person.

The esports culture is reflective of the blurred lines between the online and offline world, which is having an unprecedented influence on tourism with a new demographic. And its growth is reshaping the perspective of what gaming and esports culture really is. Fans are not only tuning in online; they’re traveling across borders to be part of the live experience.

According to a survey from Skift and Qiddiya City, 70% of Gen Z and Millennial travelers globally said that they would be interested in planning a trip around a gaming and esports event, either to play in a tournament or watch one. 

The International 2026, next year’s edition of Dota 2’s annual world championship tournament, will be hosted in Shanghai, China in August 2026.

Shanghai is not a new location for The International. It was held in the same city back in 2019, but has since been hosted by Bucharest, Romania, Singapore, Seattle, Washington, Copenhagen, Denmark, and Hamburg, Germany.

A return to Shanghai could be big for Dota 2. The game has declined in popularity in the country due to China’s gaming restrictions and focus on other titles. Bringing the largest Dota 2 tournament of the year to Shanghai could reignite some excitement for the classic MOBA. BLAST Slam V is heading to Chengdu in December 2025 due to the city’s growing interest in esports.

• Esports and Streaming Culture
  Esports has exploded into the mainstream. Professional leagues for titles like League of Legends and Counter-Strike fill arenas and draw millions of online viewers. Esports is poised to grow even bigger in the coming years; developers are now building games with streamers and spectators in mind, adding features like spectator modes or interactive audience elements.

• Cloud Gaming Goes Mainstream
  Cloud gaming is finally gaining momentum. Services like Xbox Cloud Gaming and NVIDIA GeForce Now already let players stream AAA titles to phones, tablets, or TVs – no console or high-end PC needed. This trend should accelerate as internet infrastructure (like 5G) improves. Even a basic device can run top-tier games via the cloud, often through a Netflix-style subscription library. Cloud gaming could fundamentally change how games are accessed and broaden the gaming audience.

• Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality
  Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) are on track to play bigger roles in gaming. VR headsets continue to improve and become more affordable, delivering increasingly immersive experiences. At the same time, tech giants are developing AR glasses to blend digital games with the real world. In the next five years, VR could finally hit the mainstream, and we might finally see AR games that go beyond the phone screen. As VR/AR hardware matures and content expands, these technologies could reshape how we play and socialize through games.

• Generative AI in Games
  Advances in artificial intelligence are opening new frontiers in game development. Generative AI tools – including ChatGPT, image generators, and other assistants – are helping developers create content faster, from dialogue writing to level design and art. AI is quickly becoming a powerful co-designer, enabling richer and more dynamic worlds for gamers.

• User-Generated Content and Community Creations
  Players are also creating games. User-generated content (UGC) has become a core feature of many hit titles. Games like Minecraft, Roblox, and Fortnite’s Creative mode show the appetite players have for building their own worlds and game modes. Developers are responding by providing better tools for community creators. The result is that games constantly refresh themselves with player-made content. This trend empowers gamers as co-creators and blurs the line between player and developer.

• Gaming as a Social Experience
  Gaming is increasingly a social experience. Many popular games double as virtual hangouts where friends meet up to chat or play together. In the next few years, we can expect more virtual events and group activities within game worlds. As games continue to serve as social networks for many players, developers will focus on making these communities more inclusive and fun.

Thanks to free-to-watch platforms like YouTube and Twitch, esports is fully plugged in, permanently online, and more accessible to audiences than traditional media has ever been.

In 2024, the global esports audience surpassed 500 million viewers according to Statista, and is projected to reach 600 million by the end of 2025. Traditional sports run on schedules, esports does not. No matter the location or time zone, there’s almost always a tournament or stream somewhere.

Esports betting doesn’t just operate around the clock 365 days a year – it thrives on it. In the mobile-first era, where fans can follow their favourite teams from anywhere in the world, placing a live bet mid-match means there’s never a dull moment. 

Like sports betting, esports betting lets fans wager on outcomes like match winners, kill totals, and tournament results. The most popular esports to bet on include Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, League of Legends, Valorant, and Mobile Legends: Bang Bang. Counter-Strike 2 is the most popular with 64% of total bets.

Gen-Z and millennials grew up online, fully immersed in video games, memes, and digital culture. Esports betting is an extension of those interests, in a similar way that sports betting is to a traditional sports fan. In 2024, the millennials in the 18-27 age bracket accounted for 44% of all esports bettors. According to iGaming Business, bettors within this age demographic are betting around $30 on esports, compared to the average $5 football bet. 

As this demographic continues to age, their betting habits are expected to deepen, especially with mobile-first products, meme-driven marketing, and crypto-friendly platforms designed with them in mind.

Esports never stays still, and esports betting platforms are constantly evolving to match the digital habits of their audiences. Innovation is therefore a must:

• Digital currencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum are quickly becoming the norm across most esports betting platforms;

• AI is in everything these days, from real-time odds generation to personalised promotions, offering users a smarter and faster betting experience to keep them more locked in and engaged;

• Bettors could experience games through VR headsets, complete with real-time odds overlays and live stats for a more immersive, interactive way to bet;

• Since most fans watch on Twitch, the next step would be embedding betting directly into the stream;

• New games like Fragpunk, Marvel Rivals, and Mario Kart World could emerge as betting-friendly esports if they establish competitive ecosystems. With new titles comes new fans, and with new fans comes new bettors, for a domino effect that keeps the industry growing.

The Dubai Press Club has unveiled the Arab Media Outlook – Future Vision report, offering a comprehensive analysis of the media industry across the MENA region.

Gaming is the fastest-growing subsegment across the region, driven by rising consumer demand, expanded access to platforms, and growing interest in esports. From 2024 to 2028, all major MENA markets are expected to see consistent growth in gaming revenues.

Advertising remains the largest subsegment, accounting for 38 per cent of the market by 2028, followed by video, both of which are undergoing rapid digitalisation. Growth is being led by digital-first formats: internet advertising is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.2 per cent, and gaming at 4.4 per cent, while traditional media show a decline. Over-The-Top (OTT) video and music streaming are scaling steadily, while podcasting and esports are emerging as new growth frontiers.

The report identifies the video subsegment as the most culturally influential, with OTT adoption rising across all markets. Traditional broadcast models are shifting toward hybrid broadcast-digital models.

Key enablers of sustained growth in the region are: modernised regulation, talent development, access to funding, world-class infrastructure and innovation and research and development (R&D). Key economies in the region are advancing media sector growth through streamlined licensing, updated ownership laws, and clear content classification systems that boost transparency and investor confidence. Funding access is expanding in the region, with major markets offering production incentives, early-stage investments, and grants to support local and international media projects.

Artificial intelligence is emerging as a game-changer across the media value chain—from content personalisation and automated news writing to immersive formats in gaming and advertising. While AI is opening new frontiers for monetisation and operational efficiency, the report also highlights regulatory and ethical challenges that must be addressed to ensure sustainable growth.

The United States and China continue to represent key markets in the global gaming industry, though their contributions vary significantly in terms of user base and revenue. In 2024, the US accounted for 6.4% of global gamers but generated 26% of global gaming revenue. Conversely, China represented 20.5% of global gamers and contributed an equivalent 26% share of revenue.

The average gamer in the US spends approximately 3.1 times more annually than the average gamer in China. Additionally, US-based gaming startups receive 7.6 times more venture capital funding than their counterparts in China, and there are five times more VC-funded gaming startups in the US than in China, indicating a stronger ecosystem for early-stage companies in the American market.

Artificial intelligence continues to play an expanding role in game development. Microsoft recently introduced MUSE, a model intended to enhance the early stages of game design through faster iteration and learning. Although practical use cases for MUSE are still developing, the release signals Microsoft’s ongoing interest in AI-driven tools for the gaming sector.

Two notable handheld gaming devices are expected to launch in 2025: the Switch 2 and the Atari Gestation Go. The Switch 2 follows Nintendo’s successful original Switch, but Konvoy projects that its hardware sales may underperform by 25 to 40 percent relative to its predecessor. The Atari Gestation Go is a retro-style device that appeals to a niche audience, similar to previous nostalgia-driven products like the Atari Flashback Portable. While this product is unlikely to significantly affect the broader console market, it reflects ongoing consumer interest in vintage gaming experiences.

Konvoy’s Q1 2025 report offers a detailed snapshot of the gaming industry’s current state. Despite ongoing geopolitical and economic challenges, the sector continues to evolve through strategic investments, technology integration, and shifts in global market dynamics.

Eight teams will participate in the VALORANT Glitched Invitational, occurring at Glitched’s first event in Jönköping, Sweden, from June 13th to 16th, 2025.

The two finalists from SOL (Svenska Onlineligan) will complete the eight-team lineup. The teams will compete for a share of a 100,000 SEK prize pool.

In addition, the finals will be broadcast on the VALORANT Northern Europe Twitch channel, enabling fans from across the world to tune into the action.

Alongside the VALORANT Glitched Invitational, the deal between Riot Games and the esports festival also includes support for grassroots esports and on-site activations from the game’s developer.

The event will also include open VALORANT and League of Legends tournaments for attendees to compete in. Each event includes a 25,000 SEK prize pool.

Outside of esports tournaments, Riot Games will host a dedicated VALORANT booth hosting a range of activities ranging from photo opportunities to free-for-all matches.

Launched in 2024, Glitched is a new gaming and esports festival aiming to push the boundaries of in-person events. Founded by a group of former DreamHack business heads, the festival aims to focus on esports competitions and its LAN parties, where attendees can bring their own PCs, participate in tournaments, and play games with groups of like-minded fans.

The company also plans to open an office in Mumbai before the end of the year.

Blast is one of the world’s largest esports companies and has partnered with Ubisoft, Epic Games, Valve and Riot on past events, including live tournaments and broadcasts. It’s also worked with brands such as Nike, TikTok and NASCAR. It has worked on American events before, such as the Atlanta-based Rainbow Six Major it produced in partnership with Ubisoft. But the New York office marks Blast’s first official expansion into US esports territory.

Establishing a permanent hub in America is a natural next step and also an indicator of a long-term investment in the market. The move adds to Blast’s global expansion efforts in 2025, with offices opening in India and the US this year.

Blast will build out a local team at the new office, building closer ties to major game companies based in the US while also building out new entertainment ventures. The company says that, by the end of this year, it will hold 15 arena events in five continents.

This transformation in fan engagement results from both technological improvements and interactive platforms. The outcome of these processes creates interactive encounters that build stronger fan connections. 

Traditional sports experience a fundamental change in fan engagement through online gaming because fans now seek interactive experiences. The evolution of technology will strengthen the mutual dependence between sports fans and their favorite sports.

Recent years have proved that esports is one of the fastest-growing industries. According to the latest Arizton research report, the global esports market will be worth more than $5 billion by 2029, with a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 17.48%. In comparison, the American football industry, which also has a huge fan base, is growing at an average annual rate of about 6.9%.

The approximate valuation of the esports market at the current time is estimated at $2 billion, which affects the desire to invest time and finances in team development and the development of game disciplines.

The audience’s interest in esports is influenced, among other things, by the popularization of the esports genre in the media, the holding of international championships, and numerous interviews with team members.

• Data Analytics

Data analytics has become a cornerstone of modern sports and gaming. Advanced metrics provide insights into performance, strategy, and decision-making. No longer is it a case of looking at the score in isolation, this additional context can provide an indication into how well a team has been performing or is set to perform over the next few weeks and months.

In gaming, heatmaps and session data are used to optimise player performance, identifying behaviours that maximise win rates. Developers employ machine learning algorithms to analyse player preferences. Esports teams also use advanced analytics to study opponents.

• Wearable Technology and Real-Time Insights

Wearable technology is transforming how athletes and gamers monitor performance. Smart sensors embedded in jerseys, wristbands, and controllers provide real-time feedback on metrics such as heart rate, reaction time, and fatigue levels.

• Artificial Intelligence and Predictive Modelling

AI and machine learning are reshaping predictive modelling across both industries. These technologies analyse complex datasets to forecast outcomes and refine strategies.

In gaming, AI-driven algorithms adapt gameplay in real time, tailoring experiences to individual players. Game developers also use predictive analytics to anticipate player behaviour, enabling dynamic updates and personalised content.

• Immersive Technologies: VR, AR, and Beyond

Virtual reality, or VR, and augmented reality, or AR, are bridging the gap between digital and physical experiences.

In gaming, VR titles leverage advancements in feedback and motion tracking to create fully immersive worlds.

• Blockchain and Decentralised Platforms

There is also blockchain technology that is starting to emerge as a transformative force in sports and gaming. With this technology, decentralised prediction markets offer transparency and fairness which in turn attract users to blockchain-powered betting platforms.

Blockchain ensures secure, verifiable transactions for in-game purchases and digital collectibles; technology that played a considerable part in the NFT-led boom.

• Sustainability and Green Tech

The topic of sustainability is becoming a key focus as industries adopt greener technologies. Energy-efficient computing and solar-powered sensors are reducing the carbon footprint of data processing.

In the world of gaming, developers are exploring energy-efficient servers and optimised code to minimise environmental impact, aligning with global sustainability goals as the demand for data is increasing.

• Sports Betting

Innovations such as machine learning algorithms and blockchain have not only enhanced the user experience but also offered greater transparency and fairness to betting platforms.

Sports betting platforms now utilise real-time data and predictive modelling to refine odds and offer bettors deeper insights. AI-driven algorithms analyse player and team statistics to calculate probabilities with unprecedented accuracy.