Yalla Group partners with Saudi Esports Federation for ecosystem growth

Middle Eastern gaming company Yalla Group has announced a partnership with the Saudi Esports Federation.

The deal will see the company become an official event partner for the Saudi eLeague 2026 season in addition to supporting the growth of Saudi Arabia’s esports ecosystem.

According to a press release, Yalla Group will focus on the league’s women’s tournaments to promote inclusion, community development, and encourage more women to compete in esports tournaments taking place within the Kingdom.

In addition, the group will launch a new talent development initiative in collaboration with the Federation. The initiative aims to cultivate local esports talent through a range of training and mentorship programmes.

“This partnership marks an important step in our engagement with Saudi Arabia’s esports sector,” said Saifi Ismail, President of Yalla Group. “By supporting both national competitions and talent development, we are proud to contribute to the sustainable growth of the Kingdom’s gaming ecosystem.”

Founded in 2016, Yalla Group is one of the Middle East’s largest social networking and gaming companies. IT operates group chat platform Yalla and Yalla Ludo, a mobile app containing online versions of board games.

In recent years, the Saudi Esports Federation has played an integral role in the growth of the Kingdom’s esports ecosystem. In 2025, it opened the SEF Arena, a dedicated venue to host a range of domestic competitions.

The same month saw the Federation partner with mobile battle royale title PUBG Mobile. Through the deal, the title was integrated into the Saudi eLeague circuit, offering a pathway from grassroots to professional esports.

Through the development of local talent and training initiatives, the collaboration between Yalla Group and the Saudi Esports Federation continues to establish sustainable pathways for those looking to pursue a career in esports and for those wanting to compete in high-profile regional competitions.