German Journalist Explores Saudi Culture, Innovation at World’s Biggest Esports Event

German esports journalist Gabriel Serman revealed details of his first experience in Saudi Arabia, describing it as surpassing all his expectations — both professionally and personally — during his coverage of the ongoing Esports World Cup 2025 in Riyadh’s Boulevard City.

 Running through August 24, the tournament features over 2,000 players representing top global clubs and offers total prize money exceeding $70 million, making it the most valuable event in esports history.

 In remarks to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Serman said his visit to Riyadh marked a turning point in his perception of the Kingdom, noting that it was his first media assignment outside Europe.

 The German journalist stated that he arrived with many questions and a sense of curiosity, adding that his first moments in Saudi Arabia were enough to leave a strong and lasting impression of the country and its ability to host the world’s biggest tournaments.

 Serman indicated that his time covering the event extended beyond the esports competitions to include various cultural and tourism activities held alongside the tournament.

 He noted that he experienced a different cultural dimension by visiting the traditional food festival, which featured dishes from across the Kingdom prepared by professional Saudi chefs, describing the experience as rich in both knowledge and flavor.

 Speaking about his visit to the interactive Royal Institute of Traditional Arts’ “Wrth” pavilion, he said the experience exceeded his expectations.

 During the visit, he created a personalized digital character and embarked on a virtual journey showcasing elements of Saudi heritage through games inspired by local culture. He noted that the pavilion's presentation style resonated well with the digital generation and captured their interest, affirming that Wrth offered a unique approach to heritage, blending traditional folk art with modern technology in a highly creative way.

 He expressed admiration for the overall organization and the spirit of the Saudi audience, highlighting their sportsmanship and enthusiastic support for international teams.

 He concluded by stating that Riyadh has completely transformed his view of Saudi Arabia, which he no longer sees as merely a host for major tournaments, but as a cultural destination distinguished by its hospitality and integrated experience.