Saudi Arabia’s gaming industry is on the brink of a significant boost as the UAE-based esports network True Gamers plans to set up 150 centers in the Kingdom.

Founded in 2019, True Gamers seeks to enhance the accessibility of video gaming by integrating entertainment, technology, and competitive elements, offering an immersive experience to a diverse player base.

“True Gamers has been closely observing the flourishing esports and gaming scene in Saudi Arabia, a pivotal player in the MENA region. Acknowledging the immense potential of this market, we are strategically expanding into the Kingdom, aligning with the ambitious Vision 2030 development plan,” Belyanin explained. He highlighted a significant milestone with a master franchise deal signed with entrepreneur Nawaf Al-Bishri, bringing a $45 million investment to build a robust esports infrastructure in Saudi Arabia.

This partnership includes the launch of more than 150 True Gamers lounges, enhancing the gaming experience for numerous enthusiasts and contributing to the country’s growing esports scene.

The first True Gamers lounge, a state-of-the-art facility, is scheduled to open in Jeddah in the first half of 2024, marking the initiation of the company’s ambitious expansion plans and ushering in a new era of immersive gaming experiences for Saudi gamers.

“We are adopting a franchise strategy to expedite our expansion across Saudi Arabia,” Belyanin noted. He added, “Moreover, the True Gamers franchise is open to other market players interested in collaborating with our proven business model to jointly propel the Kingdom’s esports industry.”

Belyanin emphasized True Gamers’ key partnerships with industry leaders such as Logitech and BenQ to cater to the Saudi market, ensuring their lounges feature the latest technology for an unparalleled gaming experience.

The company is open to future collaborations with other businesses and organizations to further enrich the Kingdom’s gaming ecosystem and elevate the esports scene.

True Gamers aims to open 10 centers in the Kingdom by the end of 2024 and remains optimistic about achieving its goal of establishing 150 centers by 2030.

Belyanin revealed that True Gamers is gearing up to launch a series of local and international esports tournaments in Saudi Arabia, following successful events in Dubai that drew over 1,500 participants. These tournaments aim to inspire the younger generation to develop their gaming and social skills, particularly in communication and teamwork.