Saudi Esports Federation Partners with Yalla Group for New Initiative

The Saudi Esports Federation (SEF) has announced a new partnership with Yalla Group Limited, a Dubai-based social networking and gaming company. The financial details of this agreement remain undisclosed.

As part of this collaboration, Yalla Group will serve as the “official event partner” for the Saudi eLeague (SEL) 2026, with a strong emphasis on promoting the all-women’s esports league, the Women’s Saudi eLeague.

“This partnership signifies a significant advancement in our involvement with Saudi Arabia’s esports landscape,” stated Yalla Group President Saifi Ismail. “By backing national competitions and nurturing talent, we are excited to play a role in the sustainable development of the Kingdom’s gaming ecosystem.”

In addition to its role in the Saudi eLeague, Yalla will collaborate with the SEF to launch a “Talent Development Program” in conjunction with the Saudi Esports Academy. This initiative aims to “empower Saudi esports athletes and provide training, hands-on experience, and mentorship to aspiring talent, enhancing their competitive skills and experience, while supporting professional development and boosting Saudi Arabia’s presence in international competitions,” as outlined in the announcement.

Since its launch in October 2020, the Saudi eLeague has provided competitive opportunities for players and clubs in Saudi Arabia, allowing grassroots competitions to reach national and international levels. In 2025, the league expanded to include women’s competitions, support for additional game titles, an extended event calendar, and more. Featured games include PUBG Mobile, Rainbow Six Siege, Rocket League, League of Legends, Valorant, and Overwatch.

The SEF is backed by the Saudi Arabian government’s Public Investment Fund and is led by HRH Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud, who serves as the founder, president, and chairman.

However, the financial connections of the SEF to the Saudi Arabian government have drawn criticism, with accusations of “sports washing” aimed at obscuring the government’s record on human rights, women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and military actions in Yemen. These concerns are frequently highlighted by international watchdog organizations.