stc Group, a leading digital enabler, played a pivotal role in supporting the inaugural Esports World Cup (EWC) throughout July and August as an Elite and Founding Partner. Hosted at Boulevard City in Riyadh, the EWC represents a major step in Saudi Arabia’s path to becoming a global gaming hub, in alignment with the Vision 2030 goals. The event culminated in a closing ceremony attended by His Royal Highness Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia.
The Esports World Cup achieved unprecedented success, attracting over 500 million viewers who watched more than 250 million hours of content, making it the most-watched tournament of 2024. Viewership peaked at 3.5 million during the League of Legends Grand Final.
Central to the success of EWC was stc Group’s advanced digital infrastructure. The company provided 22 optimized gaming and streaming servers and executed over 3.6K actions within their internet gateway to maintain low latency, ensuring seamless gameplay. stc’s state-of-the-art 5G network powered the entire event, supporting 21 5G zones across three indoor solutions and serving up to 10K players with high-speed internet.
stc Group’s dedication to ensuring uninterrupted service was evident through its deployment of 45 engineers and 16 technicians who worked onsite around the clock. With real-time performance monitoring and dynamic network optimization, the group set a new standard for future esports events. A total of 11 real-time dashboards tracked performance, ensuring smooth connectivity throughout the tournament.
The event also marked a significant milestone in stc Group’s journey to drive Saudi Arabia’s digital transformation. Their contributions not only ensured the event’s success but also underscored the group’s leadership in the digital space, closely aligning with the Vision 2030 goals to position Saudi Arabia as a global leader in gaming and esports.
As a key partner in the EWC, stc Group’s cutting-edge connectivity solutions laid the foundation for the entire event. This partnership demonstrated how strategic collaborations can elevate the esports experience to unprecedented levels.
The stc play Gaming Hall was a highlight of the EWC, drawing the largest gathering of gamers in history, with over 1,500 of the world’s top esports players from more than 100 countries. The Hall, alongside stc Arena and stc TV World Cup Studios, showcased stc Group’s significant role in the festival, hosting community tournaments and various activations. While the Arena and Studios hosted thrilling matches, the Gaming Hall provided a space for gamers to connect, compete, and engage with the latest in gaming technology, further solidifying stc Group’s leadership in digital transformation.
stc play also partnered with Gen.G to offer a premier esports training program, featuring a three-day course aimed at equipping gamers with the skills needed to pursue professional esports careers. A total of 78 gamers graduated from the program, with 45 specializing in Rocket League Game Training, 23 in Esports Coaching, and 10 in Valorant Game Training.
The program culminated in a Gen.G Graduation Ceremony on August 23, where graduates received certifications for their achievements. Badr AlMarshoud, Head of stc play, and Guan Wang, President of the Gen.G Academy, delivered keynote speeches, emphasizing the future of gaming in Saudi Arabia and its alignment with Vision 2030, as well as the global potential of the esports industry.
stc pay and stc tv, subsidiaries of stc Group, enhanced the experience for visitors and players. stc pay provided seamless digital payment options, while stc tv offered comprehensive coverage, connecting audiences from around the world to the excitement of the tournament, which reached 500 million viewers globally.
Through its involvement in the Esports World Cup, stc Group has made a lasting impact on Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, driving the kingdom’s evolution into a global digital hub. The group’s investments in the gaming industry continue to support innovative initiatives, positioning Saudi Arabia as a premier destination for esports and gaming worldwide.
