Qatar Information Technology e-Sports Market Opportunities
Qatar’s e-sports market is relatively new, but there is an increased interest in e-sports among the Qatari population, as the industry is expanding and evolving. E-sports and gaming have become an integral part of youth culture. Educational institutions have introduced game-based learning to students. Schools have started to adopt curriculum to develop talent for the e-sports industry. Qatar is first in the world for high-speed internet, the highest internet and mobile phone market penetration globally, and beautiful venues that attract more of the has burgeoning gaming eco-system, that is critical for the e-sports industry.
Qatar hosted e-sports events, ranging from local tournaments to international championships. These events provide a platform for Qatari gamers to showcase their skills and compete against players from around the world. Online streaming and social media have further contributed to the visibility and popularity of e-sports in Qatar. Qatar Esports Federation (QSEF) has partnered with Quest, a Qatar based esports company to develop and support the growth of e-sports. Qatar based e-sports organizations are considering opportunities in this promising industry segment and are collaborating to organize tournaments and national league games. They also launched talent scouting programs to build new professional teams.
Qatar’s largest digital theme park, Virtuocity, offers the latest gaming consoles for an immersive gaming experience. Virtuocity hosts 165,000 gamers annually. With investments, Qatar has the potential to become a significant player in the global e-sports industry.
Qatar National Vision 2030 is focused on diversification from an oil-driven economy to a knowledge-based, diversified, and sustainable economy. The Qatari government realized that there is enormous potential to develop the e-sports industry, to harness its people’s gaming skills, and an opportunity to become an e-sports leader in the region. In 2022, Qatari government established Qatar e-Sports Federation (QESF), a national federation for electronic sports to develop e-sports regulations and plans to promote e-sports in the community. QESF operates under the Qatar Olympic Committee and is recognized by the Asian Esports Federation (AESF), Arab Esports Federation (ARESF), and the International Esports Federation (ISEF).
New services and demand for e-sports could increase opportunities for U.S. companies in
 consulting services,
 game designers and developers,
 e-sports solutions,
 e-sports training,
 event management,
 software, related accessories manufacturers,
 streaming services, and
 team & talent management.
In addition, U.S. companies may benefit from collaborating with existing Qatari e-sports companies to jointly launch tournaments, and e-sports training camps in Qatar.
U.S. companies with products and services offering in the e-sports field should work with Srinivasa Murthy (Srinivasa.Murthy@trade.gov) at the U.S. Commercial Service in Qatar to explore matchmaking, market research, and other assistance that would help when entering or expanding your business in Qatar.