Integrated free zone technology park Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO) is “assessing the potential of creating an e-sports campus arena.” Parents, players, and business entities will all have access to the arena’s educational academy.
It will also act as a training facility for local, regional and international gamers, and for anyone interested in pursuing a career as a referee or commentator.
Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ) made the announcement on Sunday, at the same time revealing that DSO would be hosting its first e-sports event in October.
The international gaming event will be a collaboration between DIEZ and Seed, a consultancy firm that specialises in ecosystem building with extensive experience in e-sports, blockchain and payments.
They will also partner with SiGMA, a major e-sports, AI and blockchain event organiser, to bring to Dubai an annual e-sports exhibition in Dubai Silicon Oasis.
Executive Chairman of DIEZ, Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni, said, “The gaming and e-sports industry is witnessing remarkable growth globally. The global gaming industry was valued at $198.4 billion in 2021 and is expected to reach US$339.95 billion by 2027.”
He said in the Middle East, the gaming industry is expected to grow at an annual rate of almost 14 percent between 2022 and 2027.
“This growth presents a golden opportunity for stakeholders in the fields of gaming and e-sports, including developers, entrepreneurs, and investors.”
DIEZ, through Dubai Silicon Oasis, is taking a proactive step in developing Dubai’s e-sports ecosystem and helping to transform the emirate into a global hub for e-sports by proposing a vision, strategy and regulations for the industry.
This is part of Dubai Silicon Oasis’s focus on developing modern technology-based industries at a time when technology is taking centre stage across sectors.
“Today, yet again, we are witnessing the future-proof character of Dubai and its ambitions to lead the world in a nascent but growing industry.”
If built, the e-sports campus will offer youth a place to develop their technical skills and share their knowledge and passion in a monitored social environment.
Nicholas Gouder, founder of Seed Consultancy, added, “We are confident in DSO’s status as a lively hub for tech-focused companies, startups and investors who are the pillars of this industry.
“Seed is committed to support with laying the foundation, and bridging the gap between entrepreneurs, startups, and VCs, to drive the industry’s growth in the UAE, the wider region and the rest of the world.”
The e-sports event, scheduled to take place at DSO in October, is expected to attract major international companies involved in e-sports, including professional teams, game developers, virtual reality platforms, sponsors, media, regulators, experts and investors.
