Rashi Mehta
The Esports World Cup (EWC), currently underway in Saudi Arabia, has announced a new partnership with Mastercard. This deal will see the financial services company take an active role in on-site activations and fan engagement initiatives throughout the tournament.
Focus on Fan Experience
While Mastercard is known for its technological expertise, the focus of this partnership appears to be on creating a more engaging experience for attendees. Mastercard will host a dedicated booth at the event, featuring meet-and-greets with popular Saudi Arabian esports players and personalities. They will also organize giveaways and activations, further adding to the excitement for fans.
Mastercard has confirmed that “seamless digital payments” will be part of the agreement, streamlining the financial experience for visitors at the EWC. In addition, the company will be running weekly tournaments for attendees, offering rewards to top performers. This provides a fun and interactive way for fans to participate and potentially win prizes.
Mastercard Joins Impressive Roster of Partners
The Esports World Cup has attracted a significant amount of sponsorship, boasting a long list of partners that includes Pepsi, TikTok, Amazon, Logitech G, Esports Charts, and Adidas. The addition of Mastercard further strengthens the event’s financial backing and its commitment to creating a world-class experience.
Despite the impressive list of partners, the Esports World Cup has also faced criticism from some within the esports community. These critics have accused the event of “esportswashing,” a practice where companies or governments use esports sponsorships to distract from negative human rights records. The Saudi Arabian government has been criticized for its human rights record, and some esports fans believe the EWC is an attempt to improve the country’s image through esports.
Mastercard Statement on Partnership
Maria Medvedeva, the Country Manager for Saudi Arabia & Bahrain at Mastercard, commented on the partnership, stating, “With Saudi Arabia being home to some of the most skilled and dedicated gamers in the world, we are proud to contribute to the development of the Kingdom’s gaming industry in line with Vision 2030 and in tandem with Saudi Esports Federation (SEF).”
“We look forward to further strengthening our long-standing partnership with SEF to fuel the robust gaming ecosystem in the Kingdom. We look forward to welcoming people from all over the world to EWC,” she added.
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