Saudi Arabia’s Qiddiya Acquires Full Ownership of Evo Organizer RTS

EVO event

Saudi Arabia’s ambitious mega-city project, Qiddiya, has officially acquired full ownership of RTS, the tournament organizer best known for running the Evolution Championship Series (Evo).

The announcement was made by Muhannad Aldawood, Qiddiya’s Chief Strategy Officer, via LinkedIn on September 2, 2025 (via THE ESPORTS ADVOCATE).

RTS has long been associated with Evo, one of the most iconic fighting game tournaments in the world, dating back to 1996.

This announcement follows a separate development from August 31, when India-based NODWIN Gaming revealed its acquisition of Sony Interactive Entertainment’s stake in Evo. Sony, which previously co-owned Evo alongside RTS, has now transitioned to a sponsorship role.

Qiddiya had previously served as a global partner for Evo in 2024 and confirmed its investment in RTS at the time, though full ownership wasn’t clarified until Aldawood’s recent post.

In his statement, Aldawood described the acquisition as a “strategic step” to "strengthen Qiddiya’s esports business and unlock new opportunities across the gaming ecosystem." He emphasized the potential to elevate Evo to “new heights,” aligning with the aspirations of the fighting game community.

He also thanked RTS leadership and partners, including Akshat Rathee of NODWIN Gaming, for their role in finalizing the deal.

This acquisition isn’t happening in isolation. It’s part of a much larger push by Saudi Arabia to become a global gaming and esports powerhouse. Backed by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the Kingdom has committed over $38 billion to gaming ventures through entities like Savvy Games Group, which recently acquired mobile publisher Scopely for $3.5 billion. Qiddiya itself is a flagship development under Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, aiming to diversify the economy and position the country as a hub for entertainment and digital innovation.

Saudi Arabia’s esports footprint has expanded rapidly. The Esports World Cup in Riyadh now boasts a $70 million prize pool, and plans are underway for an Olympic and Nations Cup next year.

Both Qiddiya and NODWIN have opened offices in New York City, signaling intent to engage more directly with North American markets.