RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s video game market has witnessed a remarkable growth in the past two years, with over 2.4 million consoles imported in 2024 and 2025, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Wednesday.
According to data from the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority, in 2024, over 1.7 million video game consoles were imported into Saudi Arabia, with a further 684,489 units brought in so far in 2025. The leading suppliers were China, Japan, and the United States.
The Saudi Internet Report 2024, published by the Communications, Space and Technology Commission, says the Kingdom has seen significant growth in its digital infrastructure—most notably, an 88% improvement in response times for popular online games.
The report also highlighted usage trends, revealing that smart devices are the most commonly used gaming platform, accounting for 24.2% of users, closely followed by PlayStation at 23.8%.
PlayStation is the dominant platform for the 10-19 age group, while smart devices are preferred by older demographics. Whiteout Survival, Roblox, and Subway Surfers were the most downloaded mobile games.
The Esports World Cup, which is being held in Riyadh from July 7 to August 24, reinforces Saudi Arabia’s role as a global gaming hub.
Over 2,000 players from more than 100 countries will be taking part in the event. The participants will compete for prizes exceeding $70 million, solidifying Saudi Arabia’s position in the global gaming and esports sector.
