EsportsXO, an esports and gaming startup, has announced a strategic partnership with Abu Dhabi Gaming, marking a significant expansion into the MENA region. Abu Dhabi Gaming, the UAE capital’s gaming ecosystem builder, hosts over 100 gaming companies.
As a part of this agreement, XO will establish its regional headquarters in Abu Dhabi. This collaboration aims to foster the growth of Abu Dhabi’s local gaming ecosystem and will enable both companies to seize the emerging opportunities in this growing sector.
XO’s Abu Dhabi office will focus on key growth areas, including regional esports programs, partnerships with publishers, and innovative advertising solutions. XO’s platform, known for its free-to-play, gamified ecosystem, helps gamers discover tournaments and connect with other gamers, creating a more engaging and sticky experience.
This partnership is expected to create a significant amount of jobs over the next five years and support the development of local talent.
XO’s strategic expansion follows significant financial and operational growth attained by the company in three years. XO has raised around $1.4 million and achieved revenues of over $4.3 million in the past 3 years, maintaining an EBITDA-positive performance in the last three quarters of this year. After successful fundraising in 2023, XO has demonstrated financial stability and the ability to scale sustainably while delivering excellence and value to its growing community of over 1.4 million gamers across the globe.
XO is focused on building a sustainable, inclusive, and borderless gaming ecosystem where gamers, developers and brands co-exist to create mutual value. By offering active, engaged players and delivering a highly targeted engagement, it has emerged as a major player in the regional esports scene. The focus on community engagement, alongside a slow-burn approach to marketing, provides long-term value creation.
“Working with Abu Dhabi Gaming is a major step for XO as we look to expand our presence in one of the world’s most exciting gaming regions. We are eager to contribute to the development of the local gaming ecosystem, nurture homegrown talent, and bring world-class gaming experiences to the MENA region. This reinforces our commitment to expanding our global footprint while fostering meaningful connections with gamers and industry leaders across the region,” said Vikas Goel, Founder, XO.
Commenting on the same, Marcos Muller-Habig, Director at Abu Dhabi Gaming added, “We are excited to welcome XO to the Abu Dhabi Gaming ecosystem. Their expertise in esports tournaments and community building will play a crucial role in elevating Abu Dhabi’s position as a global gaming hub. Together, we aim to shape the future of gaming in MENA, while providing the platform for local and global talent to achieve the goal of enhancing the growth of Abu Dhabi Gaming’s ecosystem.”
Founded in 2020 and headquartered in Bengaluru, Karnataka, EsportsXO offers cutting-edge SaaS solutions for online esports tournament management, supporting game developers, brands, and players in building a value chain within the gaming ecosystem. It is home to a curated collective of creators, gamers, and game developers, engaging over 1.4 million players across PC, mobile, and console platforms.
Abu Dhabi Gaming is a government-led initiative that amasses the broad efforts throughout Abu Dhabi to transform the emirate into a global gaming hub. With a focus on talent development, game development, and esports, Abu Dhabi Gaming is accelerating the growth of the region’s gaming industry, providing career opportunities for aspiring talent, and creating world-class content from the capital of the UAE with the support of government entities and partners.
