The eyes of the video game world are set to turn towards Israel’s southernmost city this weekend as it prepares to host the electronic sports annual world championship for the first time.
The E-Sports championship a prestigious, global competition of the world’s best gamers in various video games.
Some 500 top professional players from 85 different countries - who beat out 10,000 others - are set to begin arriving in Eilat to compete for the top spot.
Last year, the world championship held in Shanghai, China, saw over 1.5 million viewers tune in to watch the competition online.
Chairman of the Israeli E-Sports Gaming Association Ido Brosh recognizes that the first-ever international E-Sports competition held in Israel is a unique opportunity.
“This is a huge opportunity to showcase Israeli hospitality, and capability in hosting such grand-scale events in a technological and digital sector in the entertainment world,” Brosh said.
Each player will represent their own nation under the “national flag, banner, and uniform” he added.
With efforts to host the competition beginning three years ago, the Israeli Sports Association and Maccabi World Union teamed up with the Israeli E-Gaming Association to reach an agreement with the International E-Sports Federation.
“Through the impact of this event, we will be able to create a meaningful, positive image for the country, and by using this event as a platform to show Israel is an advanced modern country gaming-wise,” Brosh said.