RIYADH: Gamers Without Borders, the world’s largest charitable esports event, is set to kick off today with a total charity prize pool of $10 million.
The GWB’s 2023 edition will benefit six aid partners — Direct Relief, IMC, UNICEF, King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, World Food Programme and the UNHCR.
Organized by the Saudi Esports Federation and sponsored by strategic partner Aramco and presenting partner Savvy Games Group, the event’s fourth edition features five elite competitions across four of the world’s most popular esports titles.
The GWB six-week mega-series will serve as a qualifier to Gamers8: The Land of Heroes. It begins with a StarCraft ll tournament, a new addition to the GWB, running from April 14 to 23 and featuring 24 players.
The next competition, a first for the GWB, will be an all-women (CS:GO) tournament, with six teams battling it out in a single elimination bracket from April 27 to 29 for a $2.5 million prize.
Rocket League makes yet another appearance at GWB with 16 teams competing from May 1 to 4 for a $2.5 million prize, followed by a Rainbow Six Siege tournament from May 11 to 14 with 16 teams showcasing their gaming talents to win a $2.5 million prize.
The GWB concludes with the fifth and final tournament, the men’s (CS:GO) qualifiers from May 16 to 18, where some of the best teams from around the globe will be competing for $2.5 million, and the golden opportunity to qualify and advance to the finals at Gamers8: The Land of Heroes.
Gamers8: The Land of Heroes is Saudi Arabia’s flagship gaming and esports event that takes place at Boulevard Riyadh City this summer, starting on July 6 and offering a whopping record prize pool of $45 million.
Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan, chairman of the Saudi Esports Federation, said: “Gamers Without Borders is back for its fourth annual event. Our core mission remains unchanged: to unite gamers worldwide behind humanitarian causes through their shared passion for gaming.
“Since its launch three years ago, Gamers Without Borders has raised over $30 million in collaboration with our charity partners, making a massive impact on many lives across the globe. We are excited to continue leveraging this global platform to drive positive change in the world.”