The Esports Foundation (EF) has expanded its partnership with Saudia, naming the Kingdom's national carrier the Official Airline of the Esports World Cup 2026, which is being held in Paris, France.
The partnership was unveiled at Saudia Technic in Jeddah,
where the airline introduced the world's first commercial aircraft dedicated to
an esports event.
The specially branded aircraft will operate daily flights
between Riyadh and Paris during the tournament before serving across Saudia's
international network for the next two years as a symbol of the collaboration.
As the tournament's official airline, Saudia will support
travel for players, fans, esports clubs, content creators and event staff.
The carrier has already transported thousands of
participants and Superfans to Paris and will continue operating dedicated
travel initiatives throughout the competition.
Passengers will also have access to Esports World Cup
content through Saudia's BEYOND inflight entertainment system, while selected
matches will be broadcast in the airline's lounges.
The partnership also includes a new Fortnite community
tournament featuring a custom map inspired by the branded aircraft, with
winners earning trips to the championship.
The Esports World Cup 2026 runs until August 23 in
Paris, bringing together more than 2,000 players from over 200 clubs
representing more than 100 countries to compete across 25 tournaments for a
record prize pool exceeding $75 million.
"The
Esports World Cup has always been about bringing people together through a
shared passion for gaming", said Francois Desir, Director Sponsorship and
Advertising, the Esports Foundation. "Our expanded partnership with Saudia
allows us to extend that experience beyond the competition, connecting
communities from Saudi Arabia to Paris and celebrating esports throughout the
journey. From the world's first commercial aircraft dedicated to an esports
event to onboard programming and fan experiences, our partnership reflects the
global reach and cultural impact esports has today."
Ibrahim Binaquil, Marketing Head at Saudia Group, said: "The Esports World Cup reflects Saudi Arabia's growing role in bringing people together through world-class experiences that resonate with audiences around the globe. As the Kingdom's national flag carrier, our role extends beyond travel to connecting people with experiences that create lasting memories and strengthen cultural exchange. This partnership allows us to engage a new generation while showcasing the energy, creativity and ambition that define Saudi Arabia today." -TradeArabia News Service