The Saudi Esports Federation (SEF) has announced a strategic partnership with Yalla Group, a leading MENA-based social networking and gaming company, to accelerate the growth of the Kingdom’s national esports ecosystem. Through two Memorandums of Understanding (MoU), the collaboration aims to expand opportunities for local talent, enhance inclusivity, and support the National Gaming and Esports Strategy as part of Vision 2030.
This alliance is set to further establish Saudi Arabia as a global hub for gaming by developing new pathways for aspiring talent and strengthening the local competitive infrastructure.
Strategic Partnership for Saudi eLeagues 2026
Under the first agreement, Yalla Group has been named the Official Event Partner for the Saudi eLeague (SEL) 2026. The SEL serves as the Kingdom’s premier esports competition and a critical platform for identifying and nurturing national talent within the rapidly expanding gaming ecosystem.
“Partnering with a MENA leader like Yalla Group brings valuable regional expertise to the Saudi eLeague,” said Ibrahim Alsheddi, Chief Shared Services Officer at the Saudi Esports Federation. “This collaboration is crucial for amplifying the league’s prestige and ensuring it delivers a world-class experience for players and fans.”
Fostering Inclusivity and Female Participation
A key priority of the partnership is the development and support of the Women’s Saudi eLeague. By focusing on this division, the SEF and Yalla Group are committed to fostering a more inclusive and diverse competitive environment, actively encouraging greater female participation in esports across the Kingdom.
This initiative is a significant step towards ensuring that the esports ecosystem provides equitable opportunities for all aspiring gamers.
Cultivating the Next Generation of Talent
The second MoU establishes a comprehensive Talent Development Program in collaboration with the Saudi Esports Academy. The program is designed to empower emerging Saudi esports athletes through structured training, hands-on experience, and dedicated mentorship.
This initiative aims to enhance the competitive skills of local talent, driving professional development and better positioning Saudi Arabia to make a significant impact in international competitions.
Mr. Saifi Ismail, President of Yalla Group, commented, “This partnership marks an important step in our engagement with Saudi Arabia’s esports sector. By supporting both national competitions and talent development, we are proud to contribute to the sustainable growth of the Kingdom’s gaming ecosystem.”
About Yalla Group
Yalla Group Limited is the largest MENA-based online social networking and gaming company, in terms of revenues in 2022. The Company operates two flagship mobile applications, Yalla, a voice-centric group chat platform, and Yalla Ludo, a casual gaming application featuring online versions of board games, popular in MENA, with in-game voice chat and localized Majlis functionality. Building on the success of Yalla and Yalla Ludo, the Company continues to add engaging new content, creating a regionally focused, integrated ecosystem dedicated to fulfilling MENA users’ evolving online social networking and gaming needs.
About Saudi Esports Federation
The Saudi Esports Federation is the regulating body in charge of nurturing elite gaming athletes and developing the gaming community and industry in Saudi Arabia. The Federation’s activities are categorized into two complementary streams. The first stream works to develop all levels of competitive gamers, starting with the grassroots community level and moving up to professional esports athletes that can achieve global excellence. The second stream works to develop the entire gaming/esports value chain by catalyzing the industry and enabling talent.
Source: Zawya
