Saudi Arabia is issuing 90-day electronic visas (e-visas) to ticket holders of the Esports World Cup 2024, in a move designed to boost tourism and accelerate the Kingdom's rise as a global gaming destination. The initiative is a joint effort by the Esports World Cup Foundation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Tourism.
How to Apply for the Saudi Arabia E-Visa
Ticket holders worldwide can secure a single-entry, 90-day e-visa through the "Saudi Visa" national visa platform at ksavisa.sa, as well as through the official Esports World Cup website, which carries full application instructions and forms.
Esports World Cup 2024: Dates, Venue, and Format
The inaugural Esports World Cup runs for eight weeks — from July 3 to August 25, 2024 — at Boulevard Riyadh City in the Saudi capital. The venue hosts a wide-ranging programme that goes beyond competitive play, including interactive gaming sessions, knowledge and skills workshops, creative exhibits, and cultural displays designed to draw entire families.
More than 1,500 players from 500 first-division clubs worldwide will compete across 22 tournaments, with a combined prize pool exceeding $60 million — the largest single prize fund in esports history.
Vision 2030 and Saudi Arabia's National Gaming Strategy
The e-visa initiative directly supports Saudi Arabia's National Gaming and Esports Strategy, which is overseen by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. The strategy's goals include placing the Kingdom among the world's top gaming and esports nations, increasing international visitor arrivals, creating new economic revenue streams, and driving diversification in line with Vision 2030.
By combining the Esports World Cup hosting rights with streamlined visa access, Saudi Arabia is signalling that competitive gaming is now a pillar of its international connectivity agenda — and a serious driver of global tourism.
