Zain Group celebrated another successful year for Zain Esports, hosting 50 tournaments and activations across Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan, and Iraq in 2024.
Since its inception in 2021, Zain Esports has attracted 70,000 participants and generated over 160 million social media impressions in the region. In 2024 alone, 820,000 unique viewers tuned in to watch live streams of Zain Esports tournaments on platforms like Twitch and YouTube, with the brand’s social media following growing to 210,000.
Zain’s strategic investments in 5G and fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) technologies have laid a strong foundation for the esports ecosystem, with Zain Esports playing a crucial role. However, Zain has not disclosed specific figures related to its investments and revenue in the esports sector.
Notable achievements for Zain Esports in 2024 include:
- Kuwait: Hosting multiple offline FC tournaments, attracting hundreds of gamers who competed in 62 matches.
- Saudi Arabia: Supporting the gaming ecosystem through PLAYHERA, its local esports arm.
- Bahrain: Launching the Zain University League, involving over 300 gamers in tournaments and workshops at the Zain Esports Lab.
- Jordan: Partnering with the First Jordan Gaming and Esports Summit and supporting the Jordanian Esports Federation with events at its Dome venue.
- Iraq: Participating in the Esports World Cup 2024 Tekken 8 and collaborating with ITEX on monthly esports tournaments.
Zain’s activities continue to connect its operating companies with gamers, providing valuable data services while entertaining audiences through live-streamed events and engaging social media content, as stated by Malek Hammoud, Zain Group’s Chief Investment and Digital Officer.
Looking ahead, Zain Esports plans to further capitalize on its investments in network infrastructure to expand its gaming initiatives and competitions in 2025 and beyond.
