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The 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum has officially launched the 321 Esports Lounge — the world's first dedicated esports space housed within an Olympic museum, marking a bold convergence of heritage and the digital frontier. Reflecting the surging global appetite for competitive gaming, the lounge cements Qatar's standing as a regional powerhouse for sport and technological innovation, weaving esports into the broader fabric of the country's sporting identity. Perched on the seventh floor of the museum, the lounge has been conceived as a permanent and inclusive hub for entertainment and development — a space welcoming everyone from the curious first-time player to the seasoned national-level athlete. Its mandate is twofold: to unearth young talent and to nurture the skills that will define the next generation of Qatari competitors. Qatar's ascent as a global sporting destination has been nothing short of remarkable. From the dazzling spectacle of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 to the AFC Asian Cup, the World Athletics Championships, the FIFA Club World Cup, MotoGP, the ATP and WTA tennis circuits, and the annual Qatar ExxonMobil Open, the country has hosted a roll-call of marquee events that few nations can rival. Underpinning these triumphs is a constellation of world-class venues — the architectural marvel of Lusail Stadium, the cooling ingenuity of Education City Stadium, the storied Khalifa International Stadium, and the seafront elegance of Stadium 974 — alongside Aspire Zone, the Lusail Sports Arena, and a suite of training and aquatic facilities that meet the most exacting international standards. This sporting renaissance has been propelled by the patronage and vision of the wise leadership, whose strategic investment in mega-events, grassroots development, and cutting-edge infrastructure has transformed Qatar into a year-round sporting capital. The arrival of the 321 Esports Lounge slots naturally into this tapestry, extending the country's sporting reach from the turf and the track to the screen and the controller. Director of the 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum, Abdulla al-Mulla, told QNA that the launch of the 321 Esports Lounge arrives at a moment of breakneck growth in the electronic gaming sector worldwide, opening fresh avenues of investment, sporting opportunity, and cultural exchange. The sector also draws in young people and turbocharges digital innovation, dovetailing with Qatar's vision for the advancement of modern creative and technological industries, al-Mulla noted. Esports, he added, are enjoying soaring popularity in Qatar and across the globe, emerging as a platform where innovation, technology, creativity, and competitiveness intersect. The director said the museum will roll out the first phase of esports programmes tied to the Olympic Games, building a structured pathway for aspiring competitors. He pointed out that the International Olympic Committee has taken significant strides towards including esports in upcoming editions of the Olympic Games — a move that mirrors the sector's extraordinary global trajectory. Al-Mulla said the lounge has been purpose-built as a meeting ground for professional players and creative students to compete, collaborate, and learn — and as an incubator for the young talents who will shape the future of esports in Qatar. He voiced hope that the lounge will, in time, become a defining landmark for the sector in the country.

Qatar National Sport Day 2026 set a new Guinness World Record Tuesday when Stadium 974 was officially recognised as the world's Largest Sports Arena (Temporary), hosting a nationwide celebration.The Guinness World Record was confirmed after Stadium 974 and its surrounding areas registered as the world's largest temporary sports arena, spanning 113,169.68 square metres — more than 28 times the minimum requirement of 4,025 square metres.**media[415489]**During a ceremony held as part of the National Sport Day celebrations, Pravin Patel, official adjudicator for Guinness World Records, announced the approval and presented the certificate to the event's organising partners. Colonel Ahmed bin Hamad Al-Thani, Vice President of the Qatar Police Sports Federation, received the certificate on behalf of the Ministry of Interior and the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya). Hamad Omar Al-Mannai, CEO of Media City Qatar, and Ahmed Hamad Al-Binali, Director of Events and Festivals at Visit Qatar, also accepted certificates representing their respective organisations, in the presence of senior officials and project partners.“In that shared spirit, the Guinness World Records recognition at Stadium 974 reflects the scale of national collaboration behind Qatar National Sport Day and our collective ambition to build healthier, more connected communities in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.“Achieving this milestone alongside national partners including the Ministry of Interior, the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya) and Visit Qatar highlights the shared commitment driving this nationwide celebration,” he said.Media City Qatar marked the record-breaking event by delivering the Esports Village and launching Khawi, a new mobile game, as part of the multi-zone sports destination created through collaboration between the Ministry of Interior, the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya), Media City Qatar and Visit Qatar."The Esports Village by Media City Qatar, managed by its licensed company SNRG, was one of 13 official zones delivered as part of the Qatar National Sports Day 2026 celebrations at Stadium 974.Designed as a technology-led experience, the zone brought together console gaming, virtual reality, arcade games, interactive challenges, and racing and cycling simulators, offering visitors innovative ways to move, play, and compete alongside traditional sports activities.In addition, Media City Qatar marked the occasion with the public launch of Khawi, a new mobile game developed by COREGAME Studios, a Media City Qatar–licensed company. Unveiled during Qatar National Sport Day and now available for download on the App Store and Google Play, the game represents a tangible outcome of Media City Qatar’s support for local game development and original content creation. Designed to encourage movement, discipline and teamwork, Khawi blends digital engagement with physical activity through interactive gameplay.In a press statement, Hamad Omar A Al-Mannai, CEO of Media City Qatar, said: “The launch of Khawi, a locally developed mobile game that connects digital play with real-world movement, together with the Esports Village, demonstrates how media and technology can bring people together.Media City Qatar’s participation in Qatar National Sport Day 2026 builds on earlier activations such as the Ready, Set, Next Sports Activation at Sikkat Wadi Msheireb in 2025, which received the 2025 Qatar CSR Award. It also follows Qatar SoundBeat, most recently unveiled during the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 final at Lusail Stadium, where the song Nabd Qatar premiered before more than 89,000 spectators. Together, these initiatives underscore Media City Qatar’s continued role in delivering inclusive, media-led experiences that support community engagement and national priorities. 

Cristiano Ronaldo delivered the Club Championship Trophy for Prince Mohammed bin Salman to present to Team FalconsThe Esports World Cup Foundation (EWCF) has announced the conclusion of the Esports World Cup 2025 (EWC 2025) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where Team Falcons claimed the Club Championship Trophy and the $7 million grand prize. The award was presented to Musaad AlDossar, CEO of Team Falcons, by Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, with international icon Cristiano Ronaldo delivering the trophy to the stage in a memorable Closing Ceremony.After seven weeks of fierce competition that came down to the final weekend of play, Team Falcons amassed 5,200 points across 22 tournaments, including victories in Overwatch 2 and top finishes in Dota 2, Chess, PUBG BATTLEGROUNDS, Rocket League and Counter-Strike 2. Team Liquid (4,200 points), Team Vitality (4,050 points), Twisted Minds (3,200 points) and Virtus.pro (3,200 points) rounded out the top five of the final Club Championship ranking.Heading into the final two weeks of competition, seven Clubs were still in contention, as only 1500 points separated 1st and 7th place. The race narrowed to five contenders after Week 6, and Team Falcons sealed the Club Championship in Week 7 when Team Liquid’s Street Fighter 6 player Alan "Nephew" Sun was eliminated, ending Team Liquid’s hopes of overtaking them.Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud, Chairman of the Saudi Esports Federation said: “With the unwavering support of our leadership and the continuous guidance from Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, the Esports World Cup has once again showcased the transformative impact of esports and the pivotal role this industry now plays in cultures and societies across the globe. The organizational success of the tournament’s second edition reflects the Kingdom’s ability to host and manage the world’s largest events at the highest standards, while embodying the progress of the National Gaming and Esports Strategy. I extend my congratulations to Team Falcons on their outstanding achievement.”The EWC 2025 set new viewership records in its second year, recording 750 million viewers – with a peak of 7.98 million viewers during Gen.G Esports’ dominant victory in Week 2’s League of Legends tournament – and 350 million hours watched, outperforming 2024’s inaugural event across the board. The competition and festival also drew 3 million visitors to Riyadh’s Boulevard City, topping last summer’s 2.6 million. During the event period (July 4 – August 24), Riyadh also welcomed an estimated 300,000 international tourists, a 7.4% increase compared to the same period in 2024, further underscoring the city’s growing appeal as a global destination for esports, entertainment, and culture.Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation, said: “The Esports World Cup has once again raised the bar, showing that it stands among the largest sports properties in the world. 2025 wasn’t just about more games, more Clubs, or even a record $70+ million prize pool: it was about purpose. From players chasing their dreams to Clubs building sustainable futures, from publishers reaching new audiences to fans rallying on a global stage, the EWC is delivering real impact. Team Falcons embodied that spirit with consistency and fire across so many titles. After just two years, the Esports World Cup is no longer a bold idea; it’s the foundation of a global sport. And in 2026, we’ll take it even further, together.”Faisal Bin Homran, Chief Product Officer at the Esports World Cup Foundation said:“The Esports World Cup 2025 has been nothing short of extraordinary, and the Club Championship finale this past weekend provided a thrilling conclusion to an unforgettable event. Congratulations to Team Falcons, whose back-to-back victories have set a new benchmark for excellence in competitive esports. Bringing together the world’s top teams in state-of-the-art arenas, the Esports World Cup continues to showcase the very best of global esports talent and innovation. Beyond the competition, we are committed to strengthening our strategic partnerships, collaborating with leading publishers, brands and creators – building groundbreaking opportunities that will shape the future of the industry. This is just the beginning. As esports continues to grow, we remain dedicated to elevating the experience for players, fans, and the wider community.”EWC 2025 featured over 2,000 players from 100 countries and 200 Clubs, competing across 25 tournaments. A total prize pool of more than $70 million — the largest prize pool in esports history – was awarded, including $27 million for the Club Championship, which was allocated across the top 24 finishers.From start to finish, the event showcased elite play and the very best of esports, as legends rose and new stars were born. Magnus Carlsen brought the intensity of world championship chess to the EWC stage, winning the inaugural event. Rasyah “Rasyah” Rasyid, just 15 years old, became the youngest MVP in EWC history, proving that greatness knows no age. Joona “serral” Sotala delivered a masterclass in dominance, cementing his status as the greatest to ever touch StarCraft II. And Manuel “ManuBachoore” Bachoore made history once again, becoming the first-ever two-time EA FC world champion, leading Team Liquid to a record-breaking three-title run.The stage came alive at EWFC 2025, where Post Malone and DINO of SEVENTEEN headlined an Opening Ceremony that marked the start of nine concerts produced with the General Entertainment Authority (GEA) and MDLBEAST.EWC 2025 blurred the lines between sport, culture, and entertainment, featuring Ronaldo, Carlsen, Tony Hawk, Lando Norris, Gerard Piqué, Ronaldo Nazário, Kaká, Alisha Lehmann, Nick Kyrgios, David Harbour, Gabe Basso, Daniel Sturridge, creators like the Sidemen, and even a rare appearance by game creator Hideo Kojima.EWC Spotlight, a new global broadcast production, turned the EWC into a weekly spectacle, showcasing these global celebrities on one stage, while bringing the passion of the live crowd to audiences everywhere. In total, 7,000 hours of live content were produced, second only to the 2024 Paris Olympics, across more than 800 channels and 97 broadcast partners, reaching fans around the world in 35 languages.The Esports World Cup will return to Riyadh from July 6 - August 23, 2026 for its third edition.