News DeskRiyadh, Saudi Arabia – The second edition of the New Global Sport Conference (NGSC) will convene visionary leaders from esports, gaming, business, mainstream sports, and entertainment to explore this year’s theme, ‘The Future of Fandom.’ The event will take place at the Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh At Kingdom Centre on August 24-25.
The NGSC aims to discuss the evolution of fandom and its significant impact on business planning, content creation, IP and media rights, marketing, and strategic community-building. Sessions will highlight challenges and opportunities in crafting a new global sporting legacy, the role of technology in competitive gaming, and the art of storytelling in esports. Over 60 global leaders from various sectors will share insights on innovation, market expansion, and the creation of enduring game titles.
Prominent speakers include:
- HRH Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan, Chairman of the Saudi Esports Federation
- Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation
- Magnus Carlsen, World Chess Champion
- Toshimoto Mitomo, Executive Deputy President and CSO, Sony
- Lisa Hanson, CEO, Niko Partners
- Andrew Chen, General Partner, Andreessen Horowitz
- Dr. Songyee Yoon, Managing Partner of Principal Venture Partners and Trustee of the Asian Art Museum Foundation of San Francisco
- Sir Leonard Blavatnik, Founder of Access Industries and Owner of DAZN
- Jann Mardenborough, Sim Racing & Motorsports Driver
Ralf Reichert expressed his excitement about the event, stating, “I’m thrilled about the upcoming New Global Sport Conference, which will bring together some of the smartest and most experienced leaders across esports, gaming, tech, media, sports, and entertainment, to dive into how esports redefines fan engagement.”
The conference will delve into themes such as ‘Fan Engagement in Sports and Esports,’ exploring trends and strategies like social media usage, gamification, real-time interaction, personalized fan experiences, innovative marketing tactics, and AI-driven content to enhance fan loyalty and drive growth. Speakers will also discuss the historic milestone of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) partnering with the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Saudi Arabia to host the inaugural Olympic Esports Games 2025 in the Kingdom for the next 12 years.
Last year’s inaugural NGSC saw the unveiling of the first Esports World Cup, currently taking place in Riyadh, and the establishment of the Esports World Cup Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering collaboration within the esports community and ensuring long-term sustainability. NGSC continues to grow, integrating the 2022 and 2023 editions of the Next World Forum under its umbrella.
Aligned with Saudi Arabia’s National Gaming & Esports Strategy unveiled in 2022, NGSC supports the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, aiming to position the country at the forefront of the global gaming landscape, create 39,000 jobs locally, and contribute $13.3 billion to the economy. With 67% of Saudi Arabia’s native population identifying as gamers, the conference’s theme is particularly relevant.
