Technology

The second edition of the New Global Sport Conference (NGSC) is set to convene global leaders from esports, gaming, mainstream sports, and entertainment to delve into the theme 'The Future of Fandom'. The event will be held at the Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh At Kingdom Centre on August 24-25, focusing on the evolving dynamics of fan engagement.

Key Speakers and Themes:

• Featured Speakers: The conference will feature distinguished speakers, including HRH Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan, Chairman of the Saudi Esports Federation; Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation; Magnus Carlsen, Norwegian chess grandmaster; and Toshimoto Mitomo, Executive Deputy President and CSO at Sony. Other notable participants include Lisa Hanson, CEO of Niko Partners; Andrew Chen, General Partner at Andreessen Horowitz; and Sir Leonard Blavatnik, Founder of Access Industries and Owner of DAZN.

• Main Themes: Key discussions will explore fan engagement strategies in both traditional sports and esports, covering topics such as social media, gamification, real-time interaction, personalized fan experiences, and innovative marketing tactics. The role of technology in shaping competitive gaming and the art of storytelling in esports will also be highlighted.

• Esports and Global Engagement: The conference will provide insights into recent developments, including the partnership between the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Saudi Arabia to host the inaugural Olympic Esports Games 2025 in the Kingdom. This initiative aligns with Saudi Arabia's National Gaming & Esports Strategy, unveiled in 2022, which aims to position the country as a global leader in the gaming industry, create 39,000 jobs, and contribute $13.3 billion to the economy.

Ralf Reichert's Remarks: Ralf Reichert expressed excitement about the NGSC, emphasizing its potential to bring together leading minds across various industries to discuss the future of fan engagement in esports. He highlighted the ongoing success of the Esports World Cup in Riyadh, which was announced during last year's NGSC.

Event Legacy and Future: Building on the success of its inaugural edition, the NGSC continues to grow, now incorporating the Next World Forum editions from 2022 and 2023 under its umbrella. The conference, along with the Esports World Cup and the Esports World Cup Foundation, aligns with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, showcasing the country's commitment to leadership and innovation in the global gaming and esports sectors.

For more information on the event and updates on further announcements, please visit the New Global Sport Conference website.

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