Earlier this week, the Inaugural 2024 Esports World Cup took the worldwide stage. The mega occasion happening in Saudi Arabia options tournaments for 22 titles throughout PC, console and cellular and over $60 million in prizes up for grabs.
Given the match’s scale, manufacturers that associate with the match will acquire entry to tens of millions of followers set to look at on-line or attend in-person. That being stated, Saudi Arabia funds the Esports World Cup Basis by way of its Public Funding Fund (PIF). Consequently, taking part manufacturers took the gamble that the advantages outweighed the potential reputational threat.
Broadly talking, the 27 manufacturers partnering with the Esports World Cup 2024 fall into three classes: endemic sponsors, non-endemic manufacturers and Saudi Arabian manufacturers and governmental operations.
Of the 27 occasion companions, eight are endemic to gaming and esports. These embody {hardware}, esports-focused skilled providers and builders behind aggressive titles.
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Honor — The Huawei-owned cellphone producer’s Honor 200 was named the official official smartphone of the EWC.
LG UltraGear — The {hardware} producer was named the occasion’s official gaming monitor sponsor.
Bayes Esports and Grid Esports — The Esports World Cup partnered with two of the main esports information suppliers to assist its occasion protection with dwell match information.
The Esports Awards –The main esports business award present signed a deal to host the occasion through the Esports World Cup by 2026.
Sportfive — The gaming-focused advertising and marketing company is constant its partnership with the Esports World Cup Basis because the occasion’s sponsorship consultancy. Previous to its rebrand, Sportfive supported the occasion’s earlier iteration, Gamers8.
Stage Infinite — The Tencent-owned developer behind PUBG Cellular and Honor of Kings signed a multi-year settlement with the EWC to assist the expansion of its esports ecosystems. This partnership covers the Esports World Cup, however the deal consists of extra occasions and collaborations over the subsequent three years.
Moonton — The writer of Cellular Legends: Bang Bang has signed a multi-year settlement with the EWC to assist the title develop exterior of Southeast Asia. The title’s Mid Season Cup will happen on the EWC in addition to its first ever its MLBB Girls’s Invitational.
Non-endemic manufacturers
Outdoors of gaming, the Esports World Cup has signed sponsorship agreements with 12 non-Saudi affiliated manufacturers. These embody main gamers in leisure, FMCG and know-how.
Adidas — the attire model is the EWC’s official merchandise associate. All gamers, employees and crew will obtain premium kits from the model. Previous to the EWC, Adidas has sponsored a number of esports groups together with G2, 100 Thieves and North.
KitKat — the sweet bar is sponsoring the Esports World Cup’s pause breaks to advertise its “Have a Break” philosophy. The model beforehand sponsored League of Legends’ EMEA esports ecosystem in a deal brokered by Sportfive.
Pepsi — the worldwide drinks model has signed an settlement with the Esports World Cup to assist the occasion’s competition activations. Along with the Rockstar Bar (that includes karaoke), the model has sponsored Saudi Arabia-based Falcon Esports HQ.
TikTok — the brief type video platform was named the official leisure platform of the Esports World Cup. As well as a weekly dwell present all through the occasion, the platform will introduce customized icons and options unique to TikTok LIVE for the EWC.
Sony — In a multi-pronged partnership, the multinational tech agency signed a deal to raise the match’s content material. Sony will produce a behind-the-scenes documentary and its music division will produce an anthem for the Esports World Cup.
DAZN — the worldwide streaming platform has signed a strategic partnership with the EWC. DAZN will broadcast the occasion at no cost as the beginning of a broader initiative.
Warner Bros. Discovery — the leisure conglomerate signed an settlement with the EWC to air the occasion. Particularly, WBD will lean on its Eurosport and CNN manufacturers to raise protection. Moreover, choose occasion will likely be accessible on the Max streaming platform.
Star Sports activities Community — the Indian broadcaster signed an settlement with the EWC to air the occasion each on its YouTube channel and on its linear tv channels. This deal will assist the EWC attain Indian followers of their native language.
Unilever’s Clear Males Shampoo and Axe Physique Spray — Unilever signed an settlement with the EWC to advertise two of its males’s manufacturers: Clear Males and Axe. This settlement builds upon prior esports activations for each manufacturers.
Amazon — the multinational tech and logistics large has partnered with the EWC as its official commerce platform. Amazon’s Saudi and UAE web sites will promote the EWC and attendees will obtain low cost codes for the platform. Moreover, Alexa homeowners will be capable of ask their digital assistant Esports World Cup-releated questions.
Audiotool — the sound mixing software has partnered with the Esports World Cup to host a recreation audio remix contest. The grand prize winner will fly to London to collaborate with Spitfire Audio at Abbey Street Studios to collaborate on a business pattern pack. The model beforehand sponsored an analogous producing content material at ESL Faceit Group’s DreamHack Atlanta 2023.
Saudi manufacturers and authorities operations
Unsurprisingly, the Esports World Cup has partnered with six Saudi-backed manufacturers and governmental operations. Along with the direct proceeds of those agreements, these offers additional the Saudi Arabian authorities’s broader strategic aims.
ARAMCO — the state-owned petroleum and pure fuel firm has partnered with the EWC to function the title sponsor of the Aramco SIM Area. Attendees can check and compete in sim racing utilizing the venue’s top-of-the-line simulation rigs.
STC Group — the Saudi Telecom firm has partnered with the Esports World Cup to offer seamless connectivity throughout all EWC venues and assist the occasion’s broadcasting necessities. Moreover, the group secured naming rights to the stc Area, stc Play Gaming Corridor, and stc TV World Cup Studios.
Dr. Sulaiman Al-Habib Medical Group — the Saudi medical supplier has partnered with Saud Esports staff POWR to host its staff HQ through the occasion. Followers can meet POWR’s gamers and take part in activations at its venue.
Jameel Motorsport — the just lately launched motorsports division of the Saudi passenger automotive importer is internet hosting a number of activations on the Esports World Cup. Along with VR racing, the corporate’s Jameel Motorsport Park will enable followers to half in motorsport-related actions.
Barn’s Espresso — the Saudi firm signed a deal to be the unique espresso supplier of the EWC. The model will even have a sales space on the occasions competition to attach with followers and supply refreshments to attendees.
Qiddiya Metropolis — the deliberate leisure metropolis simply exterior of Riyadh is the official host of the EWC. The occasion will assist promote the town’s gaming sector, spotlighting its purpose-built gaming venues.