DAZN – the OTT streaming and entertainment platform which recently aired the Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk and the Anthony Joshua vs Francis Ngannou fights in Saudi Arabia – has struck a long-term strategic partnership with the Esports World Cup Foundation to globally broadcast the inaugural Esports World Cup, featuring 22 tournaments from Riyadh spread across eight weeks throughout July and August.
Beginning July 3, Riyadh will turn into the epicenter of esports fandom and gaming, as fans across the globe congregate to watch their favorite players and clubs compete across 22 game championships for a share of more than $60 million in prize money — the largest prize pool in esports history.
Over the next two months, the event will also feature gaming activations, community tournaments, pop culture celebrations, international experiences, and more.
Shay Segev, CEO of DAZN Group, said, “DAZN’s technology, distribution, production and marketing capabilities sets us apart. We are the perfect long-term partners for the Esports World Cup Foundation, and we will be working closely together to further develop how we deliver this innovative event in ways that excite, engage and create new levels of interaction for fans and new audiences.
“The Esports World Cup is another fantastic and forward-looking property that DAZN will bring to the world, helping take it to the next level in terms of growth as well as helping attract an even more younger and diverse demographic to the platform.”
The competition will be broadcast for free on DAZN’s platform to reach the widest possible audience. The platform also offers accessibility in multiple languages, ensuring that fans worldwide can enjoy and engage with the tournament.
Salika Mustafa, director, Pulse Media, said, “DAZN will deliver extensive coverage of the Saudi eSports World Cup 2024 across its global streaming platform including in the MENA region. GCC viewers on DAZN can anticipate live broadcasts, exclusive interviews, highlights, and in-depth analysis, offering an immersive viewing experience that celebrates the skill and passion of eSports competitors”
She added, “The Saudi eSports World Cup 2024 promises to captivate audiences with intense gameplay and fierce rivalries, showcasing the evolution of eSports as a mainstream phenomenon in Saudi Arabia. DAZN’s broadcast of the event underscores its mission to elevate the visibility of eSports on a global scale, providing fans with unprecedented access to their favourite games and players, and will offer brands an opportunity to leverage DAZN’s advertising solutions around the broadcast.”
Commenting on the partnership, Ralf Reichert, CEO of Esports World Cup Foundation, said, “We’re excited to team up with DAZN and build traditional sports coverage for the Esports World Cup. As we work to establish esports as a vital driver of global culture, partnerships with market leaders like DAZN are essential long-term steps to stimulate sustained interest and engage global fan communities. I’m looking forward to DAZN’s world-class coverage of EWC and commitment as we celebrate competitive excellence and gaming culture together.”
