The recently concluded Esports World Cup marked a significant milestone in Saudi Arabia’s journey toward becoming a global gaming hub, aligned with Vision 2030 goals. The world-class network infrastructure provided by stc Group played a huge role in ensuring the success of this event. stc Group supported the inaugural EWC as an elite and founding partner. Hosted at Boulevard City in Riyadh, the event ran from July 4 to Aug. 25. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman attended the closing ceremony on Sunday.
stc Group’s involvement in the EWC marks an important step in its journey toward empowering the digital transformation of the Kingdom. This partnership not only underscores stc’s leadership in the digital space, but also aligns perfectly with the Vision 2030 goals of positioning Saudi Arabia as a global leader in the gaming and esports field.
The EWC recorded more than 500 million viewers who consumed over 250 million hours of content, making it the most-watched tournament this year. The event reached its highest peak in viewership of 3.5 million during the League of Legends Grand Final.
At the heart of EWC’s success was stc Group’s unparalleled delivery of advanced connectivity and digital services, with 22 gaming and streaming servers optimized for latency, and +3.6K actions in the group’s internet gateway to sustain low latency rates. stc Group ensured that every aspect of the event was seamlessly powered through its state-of-the-art 5G network, providing gamers with an experience unlike any other in the esports industry. stc Group oversaw three indoor solution sites with 21 5G zones, capable of serving 10K players with high Internet speeds.
Real-time performance monitoring and dynamic network optimization ensured uninterrupted gameplay and enabled the competition among gamers worldwide. Throughout the tournament, stc Group dedicated 45 engineers, with 16 technicians onsite, 24 hours a day to ensure optimal service, in addition to 11 real-time dashboards for performance monitoring.
These technologies elevated the overall gaming experience of the tournament, setting a new benchmark for future esports events.
Partnering with EWC allowed stc Group to push the boundaries of what is possible in esports. The group’s advanced connectivity solutions and innovative digital services provided the foundation upon which the entire event was built. This collaboration is a shining example of how strategic partnerships can elevate the gaming experience to new heights.
The stc play Gaming Hall was a central attraction at EWC, bringing together the largest gathering of gamers in history, comprising more than 1,500 of the world’s best esports players from over 100 countries, and offering a range of immersive experiences. As one of the three key venues named after stc Group — alongside stc Arena and stc TV World Cup Studios — the Gaming Hall served as a dynamic hub for community tournaments and various activations.
In partnership with Gen.G, stc play hosted a premier esports training program, offering a three-day course designed to equip gamers and enthusiasts with the knowledge and skills required to pursue a path to pro, including hands-on match opportunities. A total of 78 gamers graduated from the Gen.G training program, with 45 completing Rocket League Game Training, 23 in Esports Coaching and 10 in Valorant Game Training.
The program culminated in a Gen.G Graduation Ceremony held on Aug. 23, where students were awarded certifications in recognition of their achievements. The ceremony featured keynote speeches from Badr Al-Marshoud, head of stc play, who discussed the future of gaming in Saudi Arabia and its alignment with Vision 2030, and Guan Wang, president of the Gen.G Academy, who highlighted the global potential of gaming and the course materials covered.
