Football Gaming Revolution in MENA, Poker Queen Honored, and Blockchain Gaming Expansion

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The gaming world is buzzing with activity across multiple fronts. From the revolutionary Kings League making its debut in the MENA region to the recognition of poker talent and the expansion of blockchain-based gaming, the industry is showcasing significant growth and innovation. These developments highlight a dynamic landscape where traditional sports meet digital entertainment and emerging technologies.

Kings League Arrives in MENA

Football legend Gerard Pique has introduced the Kings League, a game-changing online football experience, to the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, with Saudi Arabia as its central hub. The launch occurred during the Esports World Cup, where new team presidents from the region were unveiled. Pique, who founded the Kings League in Spain in 2023, has seen its success expand globally to countries like Italy, Brazil, Japan, and the US.

The Kings League MENA is designed to be fast-paced and engaging for younger audiences, incorporating unique elements such as secret "golden cards," unlimited substitutions, sin bins, and penalty shoot-outs after every draw. A key feature is the integration of popular content creators and streamers as team presidents, fostering a strong connection between fans and their favorite personalities. The league aims to cultivate a highly motivated and committed gaming community within the MENA region.

New Teams and Presidents: The MENA league features seven teams: SXB FC (Ahmed Alqahtani), Ultra Chmicha (Ilyas Elmaliki), Red Zone (Maher Sultaneh), 3BS (Hani AlQoublam), FWZ FC (Fawaz Hamad), Turbo (Saleh Tarboun), and DR7 (Mafrah Aseeri).
Fan Engagement: Fans can apply for a chance to be drafted onto one of the official Kings League MENA teams, with opportunities to qualify for future international tournaments.
Partnership: The initiative is a joint venture with SURJ Sports Investment, underscoring a commitment to expanding digital sports and entertainment in the region.

Nikita Luther Honored for Gaming Excellence

India’s renowned poker player, Nikita Luther, has been recognized for her outstanding contributions to the gaming industry. She received an honor for ‘Excellence in Gaming’ at the We Women Want Conclave 2025. This accolade celebrates her achievements and influence within the competitive gaming and poker circuits.

Etherlink Expands Gaming Portfolio

Etherlink, a Layer-2 solution on the Tezos blockchain, is bolstering its presence in the gaming sector with the launch of two new titles: Pikes Arena and Cricket Champions. These additions aim to attract a wider audience to blockchain gaming.

Pikes Arena: This game offers competitive player-versus-player battles with real rewards. It features multiple modes, including a free-to-play warm-up mode, a PIKE$ token reward mode, and a Tez (XTZ) mode where players can wager cryptocurrency. The integration of Sequence’s smart wallet simplifies the transition for players moving from Web2 to Web3.
Cricket Champions: Positioned as the first strategy collectible card game focused on cricket, this title combines tactical card play with blockchain features. Players can collect and upgrade cricket-themed cards, engage in PvP battles, and participate in various campaigns. The game also plans to host esports tournaments at different levels, targeting cricket’s large global fanbase, particularly in India.

These launches follow Etherlink’s recent successes, including supporting Distinct Possibility Studios’ $30.5 million funding round for "Reaper Actual" and TapNation’s launch of "Athletic Rush" on Tezos. The platform continues to grow, with titles like "Uranium Miner" achieving significant user numbers and plans to integrate a large Web2 user base into Web3.