Gamers8, billed as the world’s biggest esports and gaming event, gets underway in Riyadh on Thursday. The eight-week festival, which continues until Sep. 8, includes a series of gaming tournaments and esports programs, in addition to an entertainment lineup featuring international and local artists.
The event — which will take place at the NXT LVL Arena, a custom-built, state-of-the-art venue in Riyadh Boulevard City and is organized by the creators of charity tournament Gamers Without Borders — aims to blur the lines between the real and virtual worlds.
The organizers of Gamers8 said their aim is to create an inclusive environment that brings an element of professionalism to the video gaming community and increases its value to the economy. Saudi Arabia is home to an estimated 23.5 million gamers, representing about 76 percent of the population.
