True Gamers expands in Saudi Arabia with four new esports venues in Riyadh

True Gamers has opened four new gaming café and esports venues in Riyadh, in a major expansion move. 

Signed on June 23rd at Dubai Internet City, the agreement marks the company’s first multi-location launch in Saudi Arabia. 

The new venues will be operated by CRIT Gaming Saudi, led by Ilya Yuryev who will act as True Gamers’ official representative in Saudi Arabia.

This marks True Gamers' second expansion into Saudi Arabia, following an earlier franchise deal in Mecca where a flagship games club is currently in development.

Fostering authentic spaces 

Founded in 2022, True Gamers runs 15 venues in the UAE and is expanding into Morocco, Jordan, France, and Germany. 

The company hosts up to seven esports tournaments weekly, partners with brands like Sony and LG, and is behind initiatives like eQueens Villa - the Arab world’s first women-only games hub.

“The Saudi market is at a tipping point - it’s ambitious, young, and ready for the next level of gaming infrastructure,” said True Gamers co-founder Vlad Belyanin. “Our goal is to build local partnerships and create spaces that feel authentic to the Saudi gaming community.”

True Gamers' expansion aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy, which includes over $13 billion in state-backed investment to position the Kingdom as a global gaming hub. 

The plan aims to create 39,000 jobs and add more than $12bn to the country's GDP through the games and esports sector.