The Esports World Cup, a major gaming competition organized by the Esports World Cup Foundation in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has announced a new partnership with Mastercard. As part of this collaboration, Mastercard will set up a booth at the event, host giveaways and activations, and collaborate with the EWC on a digital payment system for attendees.
While the partnership emphasizes on-site fan engagement and activations rather than Mastercard's core financial technologies, the company has promised to offer "seamless digital payments" throughout the event. Additionally, Mastercard will organize weekly tournaments for visitors and distribute rewards to top performers, enhancing the interactive experience at the Esports World Cup.
The ongoing Esports World Cup, which runs through July and August, is the largest gaming and esports event globally, featuring over 20 tournaments and boasting a prize pool of more than $60 million. Despite facing criticism for perceived 'esportswashing' due to Saudi Arabia's human rights record, the event has attracted numerous high-profile partners, including Pepsi, TikTok, Amazon, and Adidas.
Maria Medvedeva, Mastercard's Country Manager for Saudi Arabia & Bahrain, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, highlighting the Kingdom's growing gaming talent and its alignment with Vision 2030. Medvedeva emphasized the company's commitment to supporting Saudi Arabia's gaming industry and strengthening its collaboration with the Saudi Esports Federation (SEF).
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