The Saudi Esports Federation (SEF) has announced a new partnership with Yalla Group Limited, naming the company as the official event partner for the Saudi eLeagues 2026, the country’s main national esports competition.
As per the official announcement, the Saudi Esports Federation and Yalla Group (not to be confused with Yalla Esports, which filed for liquidation last year) signed two agreements to support esports development in Saudi Arabia.
Under the first agreement, Yalla Group was officially named the event partner for the Saudi eLeagues 2026, which will feature competitions in 11 popular games, including Counter-Strike 2 (CS2), Dota 2, League of Legends, VALORANT, Rainbow Six Siege, Overwatch 2, Rocket League, PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty: Mobile, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, and eFootball.
The second agreement focuses on talent development. In partnership with the Saudi Esports Academy, a new Talent Development Program will be launched to support Saudi esports players. The program will provide training, practical experience, and mentorship to help players improve their skills and prepare for professional competition.
The Saudi Esports Federation also specifically pointed out that the 2026 season heavily focuses on the Women’s Saudi eLeague expansion. The primary objective of this initiative is to increase female participation in competitive gaming by offering more opportunities and a supportive environment for women players and inclusion, an area where Saudi Arabia faces international criticism.
Ibrahim Alsheddi, Chief Shared Services Officer at the Saudi Esports Federation, said, “Partnering with a MENA leader like Yalla Group brings valuable regional expertise to the Saudi eLeague. This collaboration is crucial for amplifying the league’s prestige and ensuring it delivers a world-class experience for players and fans.”
Saifi Ismail, President of Yalla Group, said, “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.”
Alongside the Yalla Group partnership, the Saudi Esports Federation has been active on several other fronts. Recently, global gaming powerhouse ESL FACEIT Group has officially opened a new regional headquarters and flagship esports venue in Riyadh, while SEF has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Riot Games in October 2025 to strengthen grassroots gaming and esports development across Saudi Arabia.
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