News
Saudi Arabia Unveils World’s First Gaming And eSport District
The site at Qiddiya will host global events and attract 10 million visitors annually with gaming-themed accommodation and 100,000 sqm of entertainment.
Saudi Arabia has revealed plans to create the world’s first dedicated gaming and eSports district at Qiddiya City. The project aims to propel the Kingdom into the thriving professional eSports scene.
In the heart of Qiddiya City — 40 km from the capital Riyadh — the new gaming district will be centered around four eSports venues designed to host prominent events and attract up to 10 million visitors yearly, the state news agency SPA announced.
The Gaming & eSports District launch comes after Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s support for the sector demonstrated through a “National Strategy” and initiatives, including talent development programs and targeted investments. The district, with its widespread appeal to over two-thirds of the Saudi population, aims to “engage and inspire”.
Abdullah bin Nasser Aldawood, the Managing Director of Qiddiya Investment Company, explained: “The gaming and eSports sector is experiencing rapid growth, and we observe the ambitious plans to propel it forward. Our responsibility will be to host major events and tournaments by enhancing the infrastructure, enabling Qiddiya City to invite the world to live, learn, and compete in gaming and eSports. The gaming and eSports district in Qiddiya City caters to eSports professionals and gaming enthusiasts of all levels and ages. This district transforms the gaming world into a tangible reality, serving as a welcoming space for the gaming community”.
Also Read: The Middle East Is Rapidly Becoming An eSports Hub
The 500,000 square meter site will boast four gaming arenas with a total capacity of 73,000 seats. The largest of the venues is planned to have a capacity of 5,300, making it one of the biggest eSports stadiums in the world. The district will also be home to up to 25 eSports clubs, with 100,000 square meters allocated to retail, dining, and entertainment. When completed, Qiddiya City will allow gamers to live, work, and play, even offering gaming-themed apartments and hotels.
News
Stake Powers Instant Payouts With Checkout.com Pay To Card
The new feature lets investors in the UAE, KSA, and UK receive real estate returns in minutes — cutting withdrawal times to under 10 minutes.
Stake, a leading digital real estate investment platform, has unveiled Pay to Card, a next-generation withdrawal feature built on Checkout.com’s global payment infrastructure. The integration enables investors to have dividends and returns credited directly to their bank cards — often within minutes — dramatically reducing the traditional multi-day payout process.
After a successful pilot in May involving over 200 users, some investors reported receiving their funds in under 10 minutes. Ricardo Brizido, CPTO and Co-Founder of Stake, emphasized the importance of speed and reliability: “With Pay to Card, we’re eliminating unnecessary delays and putting returns in our investors’ hands almost instantly. This feature was built to directly solve one of the most common pain points in real estate investing, and it’s already driving strong results”.
The feature launch coincides with rapid growth in real-time finance across the Middle East. Checkout.com’s “State of Digital Commerce in MENA 2025” report highlights a 388% year-on-year surge in Account Funding Transactions (AFTs) in the UAE, reflecting strong demand for immediate payout solutions. The same study recorded a 176% increase in total processing volume from 2023 to 2024 and noted that daily online transactions have jumped 320% since 2020.
Since its 2021 debut, Stake has facilitated over AED 1 billion in property transactions, advancing its mission to democratize real estate investment in high-growth markets. By integrating Pay to Card, Stake reinforces its commitment to customer-centric innovation and operational transparency.
Also Read: Binance Enters Syrian Market As Sanctions Lifted
Remo Giovanni Abbondandolo, General Manager for MENA at Checkout.com, praised the collaboration: “Stake has always led with customer-first financial experiences. Together, we’re meeting the expectations of a region that is no longer just digital-first, but real-time-first. Pay to Card exemplifies how modern payment infrastructure can directly solve investor pain points”.
Pay to Card is now available to all Stake users in the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the United Kingdom. By slashing withdrawal times from days to minutes, Stake and Checkout.com are setting a new standard for seamless, on-demand real estate investing.
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