The Baloot esports tournament, officially known as the AGCxTarbi3ah Challenge Tournament 2026, concluded in Riyadh on May 8, transforming the traditional Saudi card game into a structured competitive esports experience. HUAWEI AppGallery hosted the tournament, which featured a $20,000 prize pool and brought together players from across Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region.
The four-week Baloot esports tournament combined online qualifiers with an in-person finale held at the Huawei Flagship Store in Riyadh. Weekly rounds sustained participation, with top performers advancing to compete on stage in front of the gaming community. The format created a clear pathway for players moving from casual gameplay to high-level competition.
Tarbi3ah Challenge Format and Mechanics
At the center of the tournament is Tarbi3ah Challenge, a dedicated version of the household Saudi card game designed to meet demand for structured tournaments. The game employs an innovative double-elimination bracket system that allows players to lose twice before elimination, emphasizing individual skill and competitive mechanics over chance.
The gaming format bridges traditional gameplay with modern esports standards, offering enhanced competitive experiences for a new generation of players while maintaining cultural relevance. The double-elimination structure ensures fairness by giving competitors multiple opportunities to advance despite early losses.
Partnership Driving Regional Growth
The collaboration between HUAWEI AppGallery and Tarbi3ah Challenge combined the platform’s regional reach with Tarbi3ah’s strong local presence. This partnership enabled rapid tournament scaling and attracted a broad player base across the Middle East and North Africa region.
William Hu, Managing Director of Huawei Consumer Business Group Cloud Service for Middle East and Africa, said: “Mobile gaming is rapidly evolving across the Middle East and Africa, with players increasingly seeking competitive formats and culturally relevant experiences. By supporting initiatives like the Tarbi3ah Challenge Tournament, HUAWEI AppGallery is helping bring locally rooted games such as Baloot into a new, digital-first competitive era, while fostering a more connected and dynamic gaming ecosystem.”
Future Expansion Plans for Baloot Esports
Joseph Maroun, General Manager of Awamer Jazeera, the Saudi Arabia-based subsidiary of Ziipin Technology and producer of Tarbi3ah Challenge, stated: “This tournament demonstrates the potential of Baloot to evolve beyond casual play into a structured competitive format. With strong community participation and the support of HUAWEI AppGallery, we are building a solid foundation for the future of mobile esports in the region.”
Looking ahead, Tarbi3ah Challenge plans to expand its competitive ecosystem across Saudi Arabia and the wider Gulf region. The expansion aims to meet growing demand for high-quality, localized esports experiences tailored to regional audiences and cultural preferences.
Integration of Online and Offline Gaming
The tournament underscored the convergence of online and offline gaming experiences by seamlessly blending digital qualifiers with a live final event. This hybrid approach reinforces HUAWEI AppGallery’s position as a key enabler of esports growth in the MENA region, supporting both developers and players through partnerships and structured initiatives.
As mobile esports continues to expand across the region, tournaments like AGCxTarbi3ah Challenge are redefining how regional games are played competitively, unlocking new opportunities for local talent while bringing culturally significant games to broader competitive stages.
