The Saudi Esports Federation (SEF) has officially opened the SEF Arena, a massive 25,000-square-meter facility located in Boulevard Riyadh City. This state-of-the-art venue is designed to be a multipurpose destination that blends esports, entertainment, and cultural events under one roof. With this launch, Saudi Arabia takes another strategic leap toward its goal of becoming a global leader in the esports and gaming industry.
Purpose-Built to Host World-Class Events
The SEF Arena is envisioned as a flexible multi-activity zone capable of accommodating a wide array of events. From large-scale gaming tournaments to entertainment shows and social gatherings, the venue offers world-class amenities to cater to diverse audiences. Its adaptable infrastructure ensures it can evolve with the ever-changing demands of the esports ecosystem.
Strategic Leadership in Attendance
The launch ceremony was attended by high-profile SEF executives, including CEO Turki Alfawzan, Chief Strategy Officer Maha Aloufi, and Esports Executive Director Meshal Alqabbani. Their participation underscored the strategic importance of the SEF Arena as a national and regional milestone in esports development.
Next-Gen Infrastructure for Competitive Gaming
According to a post on SEF’s official LinkedIn page, the arena boasts 11,000 square meters of configurable esports stages. These areas will host both domestic and international competitions, providing a premier platform for gamers at all levels. The venue also includes a fully equipped broadcast studio for live event coverage, allowing real-time content production for global streaming platforms.
SEF Arena, Riyadh as Saudi Arabia (image via Getty)SEF Academy: Building Future Talent
One of the most significant additions within the SEF Arena is the SEF Academy. This dedicated section is focused on nurturing emerging esports talent in Saudi Arabia. Through education, mentorship, and high-performance training programs, the academy aims to empower the next generation of players, shoutcasters, analysts, and content creators.
Home of Saudi’s Premier Esports Leagues
The SEF Arena will also serve as the official home for several of the country’s most important esports competitions. These include the Saudi eLeague Elites, Women’s League, Fighting League, and Challenger League. Each of these leagues plays a critical role in growing the local e-sports community and offering pathways to international recognition for Saudi talent.
Preserving Esports History at the Legacy Museum
In addition to its modern facilities, the SEF Arena houses the Legacy Museum — a unique exhibition space that chronicles the Saudi Esports Federation’s journey since its establishment in 2017. The museum showcases the federation’s contributions to both regional and global esports landscapes. Open daily from 6 p.m. until Boulevard Riyadh City’s closing time, it is free for visitors and provides a valuable educational experience for fans and newcomers alike.
SEF Arena, Riyadh as Saudi Arabia (image via Getty)Vision 2030 and Saudi Arabia’s Gaming Revolution
The launch of SEF Arena is aligned with Vision 2030, the Kingdom’s ambitious national roadmap to diversify its economy. As part of this initiative, Saudi Arabia is actively investing in emerging industries like gaming and esports to reduce its dependency on oil-based revenues.
The country has already made headlines with significant investments in companies like ESL FACEIT Group and Hero Esports and has hosted globally recognized events such as the Esports World Cup, which recently announced a record-breaking $70 million prize pool for its 2025 edition.
