Saudi Arabia Gears Up to Host ‘Kingdom of Gaming’ Conference in 2026

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Saudi Arabia is set to become a major hub for the global gaming industry with the announcement of the inaugural "Kingdom of Gaming" conference. Scheduled to take place in Riyadh from December 1-3, 2026, the event aims to foster growth in the region’s creative economy and position the Kingdom as a significant player in game development and investment.

Key Takeaways

Global Gaming Hub: The "Kingdom of Gaming" conference aims to transform Riyadh into a center for game creation and investment.
Significant Attendance Expected: Over 20,000 attendees, 300 exhibitors, 500 studios, and 200 investors are anticipated.
Investment Focus: The event is expected to facilitate numerous investment and publishing deals, with a strong emphasis on the "Global South."
State Backing: The conference is organized by Tahaluf, a joint venture involving Informa, the Saudi Federation for Cybersecurity, Programming and Drones, and the Events Investment Fund.

A New Epicenter for Gaming

The "Kingdom of Gaming" conference is poised to be a landmark event, bringing together a diverse range of industry professionals. Organizers anticipate welcoming over 20,000 attendees, including 300 exhibitors and sponsors, alongside 500 studios, 50 startups, and 200 investors. The event is projected to result in approximately 25 investment and publishing deals, underscoring Saudi Arabia’s ambition to become a key player in the global games market.

Vision 2030 and Creative Economy Acceleration

Annabelle Mander, EVP at Tahaluf, highlighted the conference’s alignment with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, stating, "The Kingdom of Gaming marks Tahaluf’s next mega global brand – a platform built in alignment with Vision 2030 to accelerate the Kingdom’s creative economy." The initiative aims to shift Riyadh’s role from merely a market for games to a place where games are actively developed. By creating a unified ecosystem for developers, studios, platforms, and investors, the event seeks to cultivate new intellectual property, nurture talent, and generate globally scalable opportunities originating from Saudi Arabia.

Strategic Investments in the Gaming Sector

Saudi Arabia has been making substantial investments in the gaming industry. The Public Investment Fund (PIF) holds significant stakes in major gaming companies such as Take-Two, Nintendo, and Capcom. Through its investment arm, Savvy Games Group, the PIF also owns stakes in companies like Niantic, ESL Faceit, and Scopely. Reports indicate a substantial investment of $38 billion by the PIF into the gaming industry via Savvy Games Group. Furthermore, the PIF is part of a consortium looking to acquire Electronic Arts for $55 billion, which would result in the PIF holding a 93.4% stake in the publisher.

Broader Industry Connections

The "Kingdom of Gaming" will be co-located with Black Hat MEA 2026, a prominent global cybersecurity conference. This co-location is expected to foster cross-industry collaboration and innovation. While Saudi Arabia was previously slated to host the inaugural Olympic Esports Games in 2027, that event was mutually canceled. The "Kingdom of Gaming" represents a significant new venture in the country’s ongoing efforts to establish a robust and influential presence in the international video game landscape.