The first edition of the Esports Carnival KSA concluded its Riyadh activities at the View Mall on May 16, 2026. Organized by HUAWEI AppGallery and Cenomi Centers with STC Bank support, the two-day event attracted mobile gamers and digital artists.
Tournament Structure and Prize Pool
This event marked the first AppGallery Gamers Cup activation inside a shopping mall in Riyadh. Consequently, the organizers transformed the retail destination into a temporary hub for the Esports Carnival KSA to engage local communities.
The live tournament followed two weeks of online qualifiers, bringing finalists together to compete in multiple game genres. Specifically, players competed in battle royale, strategy, and casual titles for a total prize pool valued at SAR 100,000 alongside various Huawei devices.
Interactive Zones and Creative Competitions
In addition to competitive matches, the event featured a GoPaint digital art competition where attendees used Huawei mobile devices to create artwork. Meanwhile, visitors accessed the Play and Win zone for casual gaming, which featured popular titles such as Yalla Ludo.
“The strong response in Riyadh highlights the scale, diversity, and passion of Saudi Arabia’s gaming community.”
William Hu, Managing Director of Huawei Consumer Business Group Cloud Service, Middle East and Africa
The Esports Carnival KSA Expansion Plans
This Riyadh edition represents Season 1 of the AppGallery Gamers Cup 2026, which serves as the foundation for the Esports Carnival KSA initiative. Furthermore, the organizers plan to host additional activations across multiple Saudi cities throughout the year to support the local gaming sector.
“The event delivered strong footfall and consistent engagement at View Mall, demonstrating the value of integrating immersive experiences within retail environments.”
Alison Rehill-Erguven, CEO of Cenomi Centers
Strategic Retail Integration
Cenomi Centers operates 20 lifestyle and retail destinations across nine major cities in Saudi Arabia. Notably, these locations comprise over 4,250 stores spanning nearly 1.3 million square meters of leasable area. By hosting interactive events, the company aims to support the digital economy goals of Saudi Vision 2030.
The partnership between the retail developer and the technology platform highlights a growing trend of experiential retail in the region. As a result, traditional shopping centers are transitioning into multi-functional spaces that combine commerce with digital entertainment.
