World's first esports island gets Abu Dhabi's billion

A grandeur vision

The investment will help realize the project’s ambitious goals, which include acquiring a private island and creating unique experiences such as a PUBG-inspired parachute jump check-in.

The roadmap of this ambitious project comprises building two high-rise towers. While one tower will house a digital technology and innovation workspace, the other will be a resort hotel. 

The gaming island will feature a high-end training facility for professional gamers and teams and a state-of-the-art arena hosting major events. Additionally, it will boast “dedicated content creation spaces for influencers and game developers.”

The company has also planned to build a unique, luxury hotel themed on esports to offer a fully immersive experience to the gaming community.

Abu Dhabi is a natural fit

Abu Dhabi’s support for the esports island comes at a time when the industry is growing rapidly. In the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region, esports revenue soared to $2 billion during 2023. Most of this revenue came from the UAE and Saudi Arabia. 

This unique esports destination will be developed near Abu Dhabi’s Yas Island. The planned location for the esports island is in Al Raha, in proximity to Zayed International Airport and near prime tourist attractions in Yas Island.

Yas has garnered significant attention as a global sporting hub after successfully hosting multiple high-profile events. They include the UFC mixed martial arts cards, Formula 1 season finale, DP World Tour golf tournaments, and NBA exhibition games.

Furthermore, Abu Dhabi has a convincing record in organizing esports events. Most recently, it hosted the Blast Premier World Final for the second time. It was an international tournament with a $1 million prize pool. 

“True Gamers conducted a comprehensive market analysis of the MENA region’s eSports landscape and the global eSports industry’s growth trajectory before eSports Island development,” said CEO and co-founder of True Gamers Anton Vasilenko. 

“This in-depth analysis gives us the confidence that the proposed business model will be instrumental in bringing eSports Island to life.”

Not just about esports

It is worth noting that the development of the esports island is about more than just gaming or entertainment. Instead, it perfectly aligns with the government’s “Abu Dhabi Vision 2030” plan. The government plans to build an economy that is less reliant on oil revenues and more based on knowledge and tourism. 

According to Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi, over $10 billion in infrastructure investments are already underway through state-sponsored and public-private partnership projects. 

Now, an investment in esports will further the government’s economic goal. Dean of the NYU Stern School of Business at NYU Abu Dhabi, Robert Salomon, was reported saying the economic model of the UAE is “unique and novel.”

“The traditional model in the developing world has been export-led growth. For Abu Dhabi, it’s ‘let’s just jump from an oil-based, developing economy and go straight toward services and a knowledge-based economy.'” The esports island project is “consistent” with Abu Dhabi’s approach, Salomon added. 

It also wields tools to improve the social standings of the UAE capital. That said, this upcoming gaming island will potentially redefine global esports hubs.