Macron and Saudi Crown Prince Attend Paris Esports Tournament to Highlight Growing Digital Diplomacy

The biggest international esports competition has concluded in Paris, featuring appearances by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and French President Emmanuel Macron. This high-profile visit underscores the increasing strategic importance that governments place on securing a stake in the booming video games industry, which is deeply intertwined with artificial intelligence.

The event marked the beginning of an official two-day visit by Prince Mohammed to the French capital. During the tournament, Mr Macron presented the winner's trophy to the Chinese team AG.AL, which successfully dethroned the two-time Saudi winner Team Falcons.

Organised by the Saudi non-profit organisation, the Esports Foundation, the seven-week tournament featured more than 2,000 players competing across 24 online games. The Elysee Palace stated that the event illustrates the shared ambition of France and Saudi Arabia to use sport and culture as vehicles for bringing their nations closer together.

While Europe has historically invested less in esports compared to the Gulf region or Asian countries like South Korea—where gaming stars enjoy celebrity status—the decision to host the Esports World Cup outside Riyadh for its third event highlights the industry's evolution into a key international diplomatic tool.

Andy Miah, chairman of science communication and future media at the University of Salford in the UK, told The National that moving the event to France was a "natural fit," especially following France's hosting of the Olympic Games. He noted that the move stems from a desire to stay ahead of economic factors within creative industries, describing esports as a cauldron for creative innovation.

Speaking prior to Prince Mohammed's arrival, an adviser to Mr Macron remarked that Riyadh was highly satisfied with the organisation in Paris, calling it a win-win for both nations. Saudi organisers reportedly considered moving the world cup abroad even before the regional war began, aiming to grant the competition a more international status.

Earlier this month, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund joined an investor consortium to acquire US video game company Electronic Arts for $55 million, marking a major push to diversify the nation's economy beyond oil. Such investments secure access to vital esports titles and future audiences.

Mr Miah emphasized that esports form a crucial part of the modern innovation economy. Engaging in events like the Esports World Cup offers governments a strategic pathway toward aligning with the broader AI superpower status underpinning future computing.