Gfinity inks partnership with top Saudi football league

E-sports and gaming solutions specialist Gfinity has been appointed by the Saudi Pro League (SPL) as the exclusive e-sports strategy development partner, it announced on Thursday.

The AIM-traded firm said SPL is responsible for the management and organisation of the top division of professional football in Saudi Arabia.

A core ambition of SPL was to strengthen its digital offering, driven by gaming, to increase fan engagement for the league and grow a global audience.

Gfinity's appointment had immediate effect, with its first assignment set to help bring forward its virtual football gaming strategy with an emphasis on grassroots competition, gameplay, and live experiential events.

It said it would gather input from SPL's key stakeholders, including the Saudi E-sports Federation (SEF), to create a multiyear programme.

“We are excited to work with SPL and its stakeholders to develop their multiyear esports strategy,” said chief executive officer John Clarke.

“Saudi Arabia is fast becoming one of the world's leading gaming epicentres fuelled by a young population, their passion for gaming and significant investment by the government in every area of the gaming ecosystem.

“Gfinity will utilise its years of experience working with leading sports rights holders such as Formula 1 and the English Premier League to create a world leading structure and programme.”

At 1300 GMT, shares in Gfinity were up 9.1% to 1.28p.

Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.